Who: Mason and Ms. Gaines When: Wednesday, Sept 13th, after school Where: Chamberlain High School Warnings: None Status: Closed, incomplete
It had been a thought in the back of his mind since he'd first seen one of the posters advertising S.A.F.E. at the school. Maybe he would go. Maybe he could find someone to talk to. He'd been feeling alone for a while now, though much of that was either self-imposed or in his head or both. He wasn't alone, but did feel lonely, despite never seeming to have a moment to himself at home, despite often being dragged along out somewhere with the guys from soccer. He didn't feel like he could talk to any of them, open up about what he was feeling, not his friends, not his family, not his twin. He thought that maybe someone at the S.A.F.E. group might be able to relate to what he was going through, or maybe even might be able to spark that kind of feeling that he'd been missing and longing for.
That morning, Mason had arranged to go to and from school separate from his brother. They did this sometimes and it had worked out today as Jackson had told Mason he had plans right after school anyway. Mason had taken the car to school that day, as he was still being given first dibbs on using it. The school day was unremarkable in itself, save for a pop quiz in his government class. He began to feel a little nervous during his classes after lunch. He wasn't sure he was ready for this, though all he was doing was going to an after-school club. He tried to tell himself it wasn't a big deal, but it kind of was to him. He was only just admitting to himself that he didn't really want another girlfriend, wasn't really interested in being with girls. He was questioning what he did like, what he did want. He wasn't sure if he was ready to share that struggle with anyone, but the S.A.F.E. group did seem like an option for a place to do so.
The last bell rang and Mason hid out in the bathroom for a good ten minutes before going to his locker, to be sure he'd avoid his twin being there. Mason put a few things away, got out a few things he'd need for his homework later, and shut his locker. By now, the halls were just about empty. The room where the meeting was being held was down the hall and around the corner. Mason walked that way, taking his time and going extra slow, stopping to read just about every poster, flyer, and anything else stuck up on the walls between his locker and room 112. Eventually, he found himself in that hallway, standing in front of room 116. He could hear noise from 112, voices, laughter. There were a lot of voices, a lot of people. There were a lot of people who's attention would all be on him when he walked in.
"I can't...", he whispered to himself.
Mason spun on his heels and began to quickly walk down the hall and around the corner.