Only Fools... // ROMANCE // OXO

"That's beautiful," Aurian commented with a soft smile. And that was when the idea came to her. After getting a sheet of paper, she began sketching with her pencil the general guidelines for a side profile of the human face. Humming, she looked to the side and began to draw Lucas little by little. It wasn't hard for anyone to notice that the girl continually kept glancing at the boy. She started with the eyes, just a ways below the hairline, almost almond shaped. Eyes were gorgeous, the gateway to the soul. Lucas' were no different. But they seemed sad. Perhaps it was due to his brother not being around. Sighing, she moved onto the rounded point of the nose and gentle curves of the lips.

Aurian turned in her seat, looking at the person who spoke to her. "He's been showing me around today. I'm allowed to ask for help aren't I?" she asked rhetorically. Her tone seemed a bit irritated. "Lucas has been really kind to me for your information. I don't see a problem with what I'm doing," she added, narrowing her eyes. Normally, the girl would have been a bit kinder with her word choice, but she hadn't liked the way Lucas had been mentioned. Him. As if that word was as nasty as old gum on the bottom of your shoe.

Aurian wanted to yell, but refrained as it would disrupt the class. Taking a deep breath, she gave the other an angered look. So… it was the worst option that had happened after all…
"He wasn't my only option, and if you can't be okay about other people's choices, then ignore it. I'm not looking for a fight, so I'd appreciate it if you could calm down," she replied, right hand in a fist. She had never felt so angry and sad at the same time. Why were people being so mean to him? Lucas still seemed very upset about a family member being gone. Why did no one else see that…? Aurian then turned back around and gave his hand a light pat. She wanted to hug him or rub his shoulder, but that seemed a bit much for the first day of knowing someone.

(You have no idea how hard it was not to go all out yelling and cussing.)

Aurian wanted to slap the other student but only said this. "Sorry that your deaf ears couldn't hear, but he said stop."
The girl turned over the page she was working on before asking to be excused. The same student now glared at her retreating form, thinking about how they warned her. It was Aurian's fault if bad things happened.
Now in the hallway, she glanced around for her friend. At least she liked to think they could be friends. Aurian called quietly for the boy, not wanting to disturb other classes.

(excuse me while i go cry because i can't comfort this poor boi)

Aurian called out once again, and wondered if Lucas simply wasn't replying. She couldn't take a whole lot longer or she might get in trouble. "Lucas…? Please answer… I'm sorry that this happened. I…" she paused, feeling awful. The students would have made fun of him anyways, but she still felt horrible about it. "I don't know what I should say," Aurian started again, voice sounding a bit quieter that her usual confident tone. Walking a bit further she continued. "I have no idea what you're feeling, but I'd like to if you'd let me. Because… we're friends right?"
Aurian frowned. He probably wouldn't reply. She was only new and probably making too big of an assumption for the first day. It would happen hopefully, but she wondered if Lucas spoke to her for a reason or… if he would end up avoiding her to avoid the extra bullying.

The girl froze at the sound of crying and extremely rapid breathing. She quickly walked towards the sound before finding Lucas. He looked… awful. She was about to speak when she noticed the blood on his head. She looked at the abandoned hat and noticed a few faint red stains on the inside.
Did he do this to himself…? Now wasn't the time to ask. Not knowing what else to do, Aurian kneeled in front of him and placed her palms lightly on his forearms.
"Take deep breaths. You'll make yourself sick if you don't calm down. It hurts and I understand. Crying this hard will dehydrate you and make it worse though," the girl attempted, eyes wide with worry.

(I'm playing sad music for extra inspiration and now I'm actually sad oops-)

(sorry I'm in school rn and i have sooo much work tonight)

(I have a frick ton of math, some spanish, and a hell of a lot of anatomy to study for so oof)
(wait i can reply rn I think because gov is dumb lol)

Those cuts… they were each at a varying level of being healed, a few seeming a bit more red than others. Aurian could only stare at his injuries, mouth open and eyes threatening to let tears escape. "Lucas…" she whispered. Not being able to help herself, she leaned forward and hugged her friend, holding him gently, allowing him to cry on her shoulder. She didn't care if blood got on her shirt either. This was very bad. No one should have to go through such emotional pain. Did Lucas' parents - or parent like hers - know about all of these injuries and how shaken he was? Maybe she could ask another time, just not now. He could barely breathe at the moment.

(what lolll)

"Lucas, try and breathe. Please," Aurian begged, not sure what else to say. The best she could do was stay as she was for support. She clung to him to make the both of them feel secure. With how worked up Lucas was, it rubbed off on her a bit as well. She worried about his health. About those cuts. Inside, her heart twisted in several different directions. It hurt to watch the other break down like this. Her eyes no longer had the strength to hold back the tears and she let them flow.

(Hey im sorry, i have a lot of work to do lately, send help lol)

Aurian's voice began to forcefully drag Lucas out of the past, albeit temporarily. His breath came in sobs and when he looked up at Aurian, his face was very pale. He seemed terrified and the tear streaks were painfully obvious on his face. His normally neat hair was disheveled, thrown awry as he struggled. Claus used to be able to calm him down when he had panic attacks as well, as he'd had bad anxiety even before his twin had died. Lucas's hoodie neck was loose now too, the top of a blossoming bruise flourishing just above his collarbone. That injury was not his own doing. Neither were the glass wounds on his head.

Aurian tried wiping away his tears gently only for more to come. This was really serious… At least he was breathing less rapidly. She became very conflicted on what to do. To simply continue hugging him and try to calm him on her own or to go get help from the counsellor or something. "Take a breath, hold it for 2 second and then breathe out," the girl said, trying to remember what her mom told her when she had a mini panic attack. It was when she was very little though.