Stupefaction

I was woken up by my alarm clock with a jolt. I wiped the sleep from my eyes, slowly coming back to realty. My stomach dropped as I came to the realization; it was Monday.

I stumbled out of bed, grabbing the bedpost in an attempt to keep myself from falling. My legs were shaky and weak, and I felt an increasing nausea plaguing my body. Probably due to the fact that I hadn't eaten.

As if on cue my stomach growled only a second later. I ignored it. Dragging myself across the room, I picked some random clothes off the floor to throw on. I'd stopped caring about my appearance a long time ago.

I took a quick glance in the mirror, studying my reflection. I looked tired, with almost black bags drooping under my eyes. My hair was greasy, the once vibrant orange color now faded to a dull reddish brown. Most likely due to lack of nutrition.

I let out a heavy sigh, reluctantly heading out of my room and towards the door. I'd lived alone in a small dingy apartment ever since I was 16 when my parents had decided to up and kick me out. They wanted absolutely nothing to do with me. I was almost 18 now.

I slammed my door closed, starting to make the long trek to school. It was almost torture considering how weak my body was, but it was a hell of a lot better than what the kids on my bus would do to me. I'd rather delay getting beat up for as long as possible.

Once I'd managed to make it to the school, I almost doubled over in pain. I stopped the sit on the sidewalk to catch my breath, trying to slow down my heartbeat. I knew it was no ones fault but mine, I rarely ate, my body was in terrible shape. I looked down at what I was wearing, realizing I'd chosen my favorite Of Mice & Men hoodie and some skinny jeans.

I knew it was peculiar to be wearing a sweatshirt in the middle of the summer, especially California, but I really couldn't give two fucks. Its not like anyone cared enough to notice.

Once I'd finally managed to make it into school, I was immediately thrown against one of the lockers, meeting face to face with one of my main bullies. Ben.

"How was your weekend, Ashby? Have fun cutting yourself?" He sneered, digging his hand into my shoulder. I ignored him, focusing on the pain in my arm. I almost laughed, if only he knew how right he was.

"Oh, so you think you can play the silent treatment now, huh you little bitch? I think you need to be taught a lesson." Ben gritted his teeth, landing a punch right on the side of my jaw.

Ben motioned for his group of friends to drag me to the bathroom, proceeding to kick the shit out of me. I simply laid there, taking the repeated kicks to my ribs. I used to fight back to them, but I really didn't see point anymore. I'd given up trying to take care of myself.

An especially hard kick was delivered to my gut just as the final bell rang, causing Ben's group to scatter. I laid a bloody mess on the floor, dragging myself into one of the empty stalls. I tried not to cry, I really did, but none of my attempts could stop the tears flowing from my eyes. I rested my head against the grimy stall, squeezing my eyes tight.

It wasn't until 3rd period that I found myself able to get up, stumbling towards my English class.

I didn't particularly enjoy English, but yet again I didn't particularly enjoy anything. One thing I did love about the class though, was my teacher Mr. Shay. He'd always taken a liking to me, letting me off the hook for a lot of assignments I couldn't bring myself to do. He never made me speak in the class, it was almost as if he knew about my problems. Although, of course he didn't. No one did.

I studied my reflection off the door, mildly surprised there want a bruise left of my face. I was sure there would have been, but I knew I wasn't so lucky for the rest of my body.

I walked cautiously into class, keeping my head down to avoid Ben. Unfortunately, he was in this class too.

I was a bit late, so the only seat left was one in the second row, next to one of Ben's friends, Jackson. Fuck. I knew they'd done this on purpose. I felt my hands shaking.

I folded my arms in attempt to look smaller, slipping into the desk next to Jackson. I moved to the edge of my seat, taking out my notebook for the day. My eyes didn't leave the ground once.

I rested my head in my hands, trying to calm myself before I heard the ring of the bell and the sound of Mr. Shay's footsteps to the front of the room.

"Hey guys, I hope you had a great weekend." I almost snorted at that. Just fucking peachy.

"Anyway, you all may be wondering why I have someone here. This is my friend Austin, he just came by to drop me off some stuff." I was confused by that, I hadn't even noticed someone when I entered the room.

Austin.. Being me my mind automatically thought of Austin Carlile, practically my favorite person in the whole world. I pushed all thought from my mind, finally bothering to lift my head up and look at the front.

The first thing I noticed was Mr. Shay staring at me expectantly, and then suddenly I saw a flash of tattoos.

I froze dead in my tracks.

Holy fuck was I high? I think I'd honestly finally gone insane.
Standing right in front of the class was Austin fucking Carlile. I swear I had to be fucking dreaming.

"Hey guys I'm Austin!" He waved, his signature smile lighting up his face.

I stood there in complete shock, my mouth hanging wide open. I moved to pinch myself, but it didn't seem to have an effect.

What the fuck.

I had some sort of brain damage from the beating, that had to be it. Things like this just don't happen, your hero just doesn't up and sudden show up to your English class for god sakes.

I was brought back into attention by Austin, who was staring at my sweatshirt. He met my eyes with a knowing smile, my mouth was open so wide you could probably fit a truck in it.

I felt something smack me on the head, hearing a few snickers from Ben's group. I sighed, ignoring it as usual. It seemed as if someone else has seen though, because before I knew it Austin was marching over to Ben, telling him off. My mouth opened even wider if that was possible, listening to Austin yell at my bullies.

Once he was finished, he walked back over to me, that lovely smile now back on his face.

He stuck out his hand in front of me. "Hi, I'm Austin but you already knew that." He winked. Did he just. I must have been seeing things.

After several seconds I realized he was waiting, so I raised a shaky hand to his. I still had barely any strength so my hand just sort of awkwardly flopped around in his firm grip. He frowned, but it was soon replaced with another smile directed at me before he went back to talk to Shay.

Once he made it a few steps, he stopped in his tracks, facing me again.

"I never got your name." He laughed.

"A-Alan." I squeaked out.

"Cute." I swear I saw him wink again before walking away.

Holy fucking shit.

I just fucking met Austin Carlile. Austin Carlile is in the same room as me. Holy shit.

I still wasn't sure if I was seeing things. I couldn't believe that just happened.

I heard snickers from Ben and Jackson.

"I told you he was a fucking fag." They laughed, I felt Jackson poking me in the side repeatedly.

It hurt but I honestly couldn't care. Austin Carlile is in the same room as me.

The rest of the class went much like that, I couldn't keep my eyes off Austin.

Once the bell rang my heart sank. I was still kind of in shock. I never wanted to leave, I wanted to stare at Austin all day. Mind you, I was way too scared to actually talk to him.

Just as I was about to exit the room, I heard my name called.

"Alan, can you come here?" Mr. Shay asked. I nodded, coming up to his desk.

Austin was staring at me again, that smile still hadn't left his face. I didn't know how the hell he was so happy all the time.

"Yes?" I asked quietly, tugging at the hem of my sleeves.

"Look, I've noticed how Ben and the guys have been giving you a hard time, if you ever need any help I'm here, alright?"

I nodded, noticing Austin's dark brown eyes almost piercing into me, scanning down my frail body.

"I'll keep that in mind, th-thanks." I whispered, not meeting Mr. Shay's worried gaze.
He nodded, and I told him I should probably go, taking one final look back to Austin.

He met my eyes and smiled. "It was nice meeting you, Alan." He beamed. I smiled back a genuine smile before leaving the room.

Holy shit.

Notes

So I probably shouldn't be starting a new fic since I'm already writing a few but I had this idea and I kinda had to write it?

I probably won't be updating this much until I finish Wounds of Regret but I'm almost done with it so it shouldn't be too long

Anyways tell me what you think! (I'm also open to ideas)