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 Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 5:48 pm
It had been raining on and off through the night, so Elliot already knew what to expect from the day. Even if it did clear up, the ground was going to be too wet to go out and do anything. He’d gotten dropped off a little early, not that he minded; it wasn’t the first time and it wouldn’t be the last.
It was only cloudy when he’d gotten out of the car, but it had started drizzling before he made it inside, even with him jogging. At first, it didn’t bother him. And then, he was cold.
He was mostly alone in the building, a good twenty minutes before the buses let out. He was a good kid so he wasn’t going to get into any trouble.
He was just going to go use the hot air from the hand dryers in the bathroom. He hurried into the nicest one in the school–because he’d had enough time here to explore thoroughly and know which ones were better than others.
It stood to reason that he’d be the only one there, it was so early!
…So when he walked in and saw Chad, he made an undignified, startled noise before he could catch himself.
“Chad! I thought you were a ghost! What are you doing in here?”
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 6:02 pm
In response to Elliot’s undignified, startled noise, Chad let out a squeaky yelp of his own, and quickly grabbed for his shirt that he’d taken off.
It wasn’t too surprising that Elliot might have thought Chad was a ghost. His skin was pale, almost sickly, although maybe that wasn’t entirely due to not spending enough time in the sun. Bruises in various states of healing were across his torso and back, some on his arms as well. Normally he would have had no problem hiding them… if he kept his shirt on. Which he was now struggling to tug over his wet hair. He didn’t even realize it was inside out in his haste to get it on.
“Oh! I was just. Drying off,” he squeaked, obviously flustered that Elliot of all people would walk in on him. And so early! Usually he didn’t see anyone in the mornings!
And he wasn’t lying about drying off. His hair was soaked much more than just getting caught in the rain would have done. His clothes were wet though, and that was likely more rain related.
“Sorry, I can. Um.” Disappear into nothing? “Crazy weather, right?” Because that was definitely something intelligent to talk about.
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 6:16 pm
“What?” Elliot had been distracted with the bruises; they’d stuck out strongly against Chad’s pale skin. “Oh, yeah. It started raining on me on my way in. Do you walk to school?”
That was probably a silly question, he was wet. It made perfect sense that he would have gotten caught in it on the way over. “Are you going to be warm enough in that? I came in here to use the hand dryer because I’m so cold.”
He kept his bag on; he didn’t want to drop it on the ground here in the background, but he hesitated before he pressed the button. He didn’t look back at Chad–or, he didn’t mean to, but he caught sight of him again in the mirror. “Oh, Chad–your shirt’s inside out. Are you sure you want to wear that? It’s still soaked, you’ll get sick.”
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 6:26 pm
“Yeah, I walk,” Chad said. It was easy enough to answer, and it was a perfectly understandable question. Lots of kids took the bus. He could take the bus. He lived far enough away. But they were always mean to him, so he would rather just walk.
“Oh,” he glanced down at his shirt. He was tempted to hide in a stall, but it didn’t seem as though Elliot was really looking, so he quickly pulled his shirt off again to correct it. “Thank you. And I’ll be okay!” he promised, even if he was already shivering a little. It wasn’t as though he had any other clothes with him. It wouldn’t be the first time he sat in class with wet clothes. Even if it got him comments about how he obviously doesn’t understand how a shower works.
You’re not supposed to wear your clothes at the same time. Or something like that. He couldn’t hear everyone’s heckling as he kept his eyes down and forced a smile on his face as he laughed along. It was easier to pretend like he didn’t know what he was doing.
“Are you here early because you have a project to work on? I don’t usually see a lot of people here so early.”
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 6:36 pm
“Nah, I’m here early because my dad has to get some things ready for his class. My parents are both teachers, over at Azure. So I got dropped off a little early. I don’t mind, I like to explore. I don’t usually see people here so early.”
This time, he half turned to face him. “Are you sure you’ll be okay? My locker’s right down the hall. I’ve got extra clothes, you could borrow them for today. When I was in elementary school I spilled juice all over myself and got teased. Apple juice and white makes a funny picture. So I’ve got this thing, you know. And I used to go really hard in gym class, my clothes got all gross. So I always have extra, just in case. I’ve got at least a shirt and a jacket. And pants, I don’t know if they’ll fit? And socks. Can’t ever have too many socks.”
He rocked on his heels while he waited, trying not to look too worried. That was weird, right? ‘Here, take my clothes,’ to the kid who sort of seemed like he kept trying to disappear from him.
“You could hang your clothes up in your locker and let them dry. Two birds with one stone? And then if you’re dry, we can go to the cafeteria and have breakfast.”
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 6:49 pm
It was difficult to think of Elliot ever being teased. He was always so perfect. Or maybe he was perfect because that was all Chad let himself see.
No, Elliot was perfect in every way possible. Just like how generous and kind he was to someone like him.
Chad knew he should refuse. He didn’t want Elliot to think he would never see his clothes again. And what if he ended up getting them dirty? Or what if they smelled gross after he gave them back?
But he was cold. Other than his face, which was burning. He couldn’t tell if it was from embarrassment or because he didn’t rinse off all the handsoap.
“I… I mean… I wouldn’t -- I don’t -- um…” he struggled with the words. He wasn’t used to this. Normally people would laugh at him, not offer him dry clothes.
“You’ve very kind, Elliot,” he mumbled sheepishly, then chewed nervously on his lip before nodding his head. “If you don’t mind. I promise I’ll give them back! Just as soon as my clothes are dry. I’ll use the hand drier during lunch to make sure they get dried faster,” he decided, because it was only polite.
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 6:58 pm
“Chad,” Elliot said his name firmly–not sternly, because there was a warm smile on his face, “You worry a lot, huh? Don’t use the hand dryer during lunch, eat lunch. I don’t care if you borrow them all day. I’m supposed to have practice after school but it’s raining so I’m pretty sure it’s going to be canceled. So I’ll probably stick around school for a little while until I get picked up. Or we could walk home together if it’s not super wet. My dad can come get us if it is. Unless you take the bus or something, sorry–I assume a lot! I just figured since you walked here, you’d walk home. I’ll be back in a minute, okay! Go use the hand dryer and get warm, okay? Watch my bag, too. I mean, obviously no one else is here, but–you know what I mean. Be right back!”
He dropped his bag on one of the sinks, and half jogged to the door. No one was here to tell him not to run in the halls, and Chad was cold! Frozen! Soaking wet, practically!
And his locker was actually a little further away than he’d let on so he wanted to get there and back as soon as possible. They still had at least fifteen minutes before the buses let out and he wanted to give Chad plenty of time to change clothes and get his wet outfit hung up to dry.
He left before Chad could protest, but he smiled on his way out and bolted to his locker. He held his breath while he ran, just to make it an extra challenge, and counted how many seconds it took him to pull out a clean outfit, close the locker, and run back to the bathroom.
He slowed a bit before he got back and remembered to breathe–he didn’t want Chad thinking he couldn’t run–and re-entered the bathroom.
“Okay, back! I should have had you time me,” he announced, because he didn’t want to accidentally spook him again. “I have the clothes! It’s nothing flashy, but they’re warm. It’s pouring outside again. Glad we got in when we did. I brought a whole outfit. I don’t have extra shoes. I thought I did, but I guess I took them home to wash and never brought them back. Here,” he said, and presented the outfit for inspection.
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 7:07 pm
Chad watched with wide eyes as Elliot spoke. When he’d said his name, he almost flinched, but Elliot was still smiling, so… maybe it was okay? And he was offering things like walking home with him and that sounded both so nice and so dangerous. He didn’t want Elliot to know too much about him. He didn’t want his dad to know about Elliot.
And when Elliot left his bag and ran off, Chad couldn’t just think that he might not return. He’d left his stuff there! So of course he would come back.
He chewed nervously on his lip for a while longer before doing as suggested and knelt down to use the hand dryer to help dry his hair. It felt gross and brittle, but at least it was clean.
Once Elliot returned, he was still kneeling under the drier, but quickly got back up to his feet to anxiously but graciously take the offered clothes.
“You were very fast. I only had to restart the drier three times,” he offered. He didn’t have the exact time, but… it was better than nothing? Or maybe it was just silly.
“Thank you, Elliot. This… I mean… I know it’s just clothes but. It means a lot to me,” he somehow managed to get out, but then, probably needlessly, shuffled to the handicap stall so he could change. It wasn’t that he thought Elliot would make fun of him! But he had knobby knees and boney elbows and he wasn’t very happy with how he looked.
He had to hold Elliot’s pants up a bit, but once he tucked in the shirt, it was enough to keep up fairly well. And they were dry.
“You definitely look better in these clothes than I do,” Chad sighed as he glanced into the mirror, but smiled regardless. Because he was happy! Even if his eyes were wet. “Thank you. I’ll take good care of them, I promise.”
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 7:15 pm
There was something about the way that Chad said it that made Elliot pause, because he couldn’t quite place why he sounded so grateful. They were just clothes. But he didn’t feel like it was right to agree that it was any small favor when Chad sounded like it was more than that.
“You’re welcome. I’m glad I could help. They don’t look bad on you. And if you get hold I have an extra sweater in my locker that I can get for you, too. Too bad I don’t have an extra umbrella but I didn’t even remember to bring one. I’m sorry you got soaked on your way to school, though. You’re not having a good week, are you?”
Was that too presumptuous? He’d just figured he was having a bad day yesterday, but he looked like he might have still been having a rough time now, too. No one should have to start their day cold and soaked.
“I don’t suppose another cupcake would make it any better? I told my dad you liked it and he sent me two today.”
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 7:20 pm
Chad couldn’t help but smile a little brighter, more sincerely when Elliot asked him about his week. He shook his head.
“Actually, it’s been a very good week so far,” he admitted, although he wasn’t sure what that would sound like to Elliot. After all, he got to sit with Elliot for a few minutes during lunch. Elliot brought him pizza and a cupcake and-- he brought him another cupcake today as well??
“That was very nice of your dad, thank you,” he sniffled, trying not to get choked up about a cupcake. It probably seemed pretty ridiculous that he would cry over a cupcake, but he couldn’t remember the last time he’d tasted something so good.
“Thank you. I think I should be okay. I don’t want to get your sweater wet, too,” he said, even though he was sure he was going to get cold later. Elliot was already doing so much for him, he didn’t want to seem as though he was needy or taking too much.
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 7:51 pm
Elliot caught the sniffle but it was easy to assume it was just from being cold and waterlogged for so long. “I don’t care if my sweater gets wet,” he assured. “You already sound like you’re coming down with something. I’ll grab it when we put up your clothes.”
He picked up his bag again and gave Chad another quick look over because he couldn’t really place what was bothering him. It wasn’t Chad but he had a strange thought that something was just off.
“I can just throw my clothes in the wash when I get home, so really–don’t worry about it. I was going to do laundry tonight anyway. I’m just glad I ran into you this morning. If it hadn’t drizzled on me I was going to go right to the cafeteria. Oh, but I guess if it hadn’t been raining to begin with then you wouldn’t be here right now, either. Well–no big deal. I don’t want you to get sick. I was thinking about you last night. I still don’t think I know anything about you except that you like bagels and cupcakes. But so do I, most of the time. I don’t think there are many people I don’t have a class with. What’s your elective?”
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 7:59 pm
Chad felt his cheeks burning again.
Elliot thought about him?? And he didn’t want him to get sick??
This was it. The peak of Chad’s existence. There was no possible way he could go up any higher than this. He felt strangely giddy. Flustered. Anxious. Happy.
Ah, at least until Elliot started asking him about his elective.
“Oh.”
He felt his heart sink.
“I’m, um… There weren’t many classes left to pick from. So. I think they just. Um. Put me in the art class,” he mumbled as he shuffled behind Elliot after collecting his things from the floor. “But… there’s not really much to know about me. I don’t play any sports. I’m not in any after school clubs. I have average grades-- oh, but I’m trying really hard! Tests just… confuse me, I guess.”
He didn’t think someone as smart as Elliot would understand what it felt like to know the information, but still somehow get mixed up because of the wording of questions. It seemed like an excuse for being… well… not that smart. Although his father managed to say it much worse than that.
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 8:18 pm
Elliot nodded “Oh, it sounds like there’s a lot to know about you. I thought you liked art. I thought I saw your name on one of the pieces they hung up in the hallway.” It’s not like Chad was a common name, anyway. It wasn’t like Elliot was going to make fun of him for his name, even if he was sort of the exact opposite of what he imagined for a guy named Chad.
He pushed open the bathroom door and held it as he waited for him.
“I think it looks cool, if you haven’t seen the ones they have hung up by the library, you should look the next time you’re passing through. Do you have test anxiety? My dad does. About taking them and giving them. But he’s also got dyslexia. Have you ever been tested? He says he knows the information but he clams up under pressure. He didn’t get diagnosed until he was in college but he’s always said his life would have been easier if he’d known sooner.”
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 8:37 pm
Wait… Elliot thought his painting looked cool? Not that Chad had admitted to it being his, but… did Elliot like art too? Or at least like looking at it?
Chad felt dazed as he followed Elliot out of the bathroom, although he glanced around, as if to make sure no one was getting ready to harass them for… whatever…
“Oh… I mean. I get nervous with tests but… no, I haven’t been tested for dyslexia. But… I don’t know. I think I’m just not that smart.” Although, if it was something Elliot’s dad experienced, then maybe it was worth something to look into.
Not that his dad would take him to see anyone.
“Um… my dad doesn’t really, well, believe in stuff like that. Dyslexia or depression or anxiety or things like that. So. I might have to wait until college, too,” he mumbled awkwardly. “Oh… I mean, I guess if I make it into a college. I might not be able to get accepted with my grades, or get enough scholarships or loans.”
He’d looked into what to plan for in high school, but there was so much that it was overwhelming.
“You’re going to Azure next year, aren’t you? That will be fun to have classes with your parents. Your dad sounds really nice.”
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2022 8:42 pm
Again, Elliot had the distinct impression that there was something off but he didn’t get any bad vibes from Chad. Just things he said that–well, they didn’t rub him the wrong way, but he wasn’t sure how to describe it. Worry? Maybe?
“My parents are great,” he said, obviously proud of them. “I kinda hope I don’t get a class with them. But then I do, too. I don’t know, I think they’re great teachers. But I don’t want to show up and be like, ‘Hi, Dad’. I don’t want to say ‘Mr. Reid.’ I don’t know! I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it, I might not even be in any of their classes. I can get you some resources from my dad if you want to look into it. Even if your dad doesn’t believe in stuff like that, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. No offense! But.”
He gave Chad a look while they walked to the lockers. “Sometimes the science has just changed a lot between one generation and the next and stubborn people don’t want to accept that they’ve been wrong or don’t know about something. Anyway, even if you don’t have dyslexia, sometimes the techniques can help. So don’t think you’re not smart, you might just need to learn a different way. Everyone’s different.”
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