Chapter Four:
It's been two weeks since Simon had arrived at his new boarding school. He's memorized his schedule and where his classes are located and the bell no longer catches him off guard, unless he's in the middle of deep thinking.
It's been sort of peaceful for the dark haired boy these past couple weeks. Surprisingly enough, Jack and his lot haven't been really trying anything along the lines of picking on Simon or his friends. Yeah, Jack still playfully teases Ralph for fun, but other than that, Simon has felt kind of safe. He hasn't expected it to last much longer though.
It was Friday. Simon, Ralph, Peter, and the twins were all in the auditorium, quietly talking and joking amongst themselves. Even Peter had made a few jokes, but for the most part, he mainly just made sarcastic comments on how childish and dumb the others were being.
"What are you talking about, Peter? We're mature." Ralph retorted, a pretend, hurt expression written on his face.
Peter just growled and mumbled something incoherently to himself, and tried to focus on his extra credit english assignment. The others just laughed and carried on the conversation without him, not that Peter minded.
"So, Sam and Eric, what did you guys do to get stuck cooking lunches for the weekend?" Ralph questioned, folding his arms across his chest and looking between the two, now giggling twins.
"We may-" Eric started.
"-Or may not have-" Sam added, looking at his twin, trying to suppress a laugh.
"-Almost set the building on fire by messing around with different test tubes with questionable, unknown liquids inside of them." Eric said, grinning at his twin.
"The lab teacher had to put out the fire we accidentally started." Sam stated, now with a hand over his mouth, covering up a smile.
"Apparently, we are no longer allowed to participate in experiments anymore." Eric laughed, shrugging his shoulders.
"I can see why." Ralph said, chuckling at his friends actions. "Don't you know curiosity killed the cat? You guys could have been hurt or something."
"But we weren't." The twins both said in unison. Ralph just laughed and shook his head. He turned to Simon, who had a small smile on his face.
"Hey, Si, you okay? You seem really quiet today." Ralph asked, concerned. He knew Simon was always quiet, that's just how he was. But he usually joined in the conversations more, and giggled at the jokes that were told. Today, he wasn't doing any of that. He had only said a handful things the whole day, which worried Ralph.
Simon on the other hand, hadn't been feeling well that day. He'd been feeling dizzy and lightheaded since this morning when he woke up. It wasn't as bad earlier that day as it was now. He knew what normally happens when he feels this way, so he was trying his best to stay alert, knowing that anytime, he could easily pass out. He did not want to faint in front of his friends, that would be all kinds of embarrassing, so Simon decided he would tell the others he didn't feel well, and that he is going back to his dorm for the night.
"Actually, no. I think I'm going to head back to my room for the night. I don't feel very well." Simon stated, standing up, trying his best to maintain his balance.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Ralph asked, also standing.
"No, no. I'll be fine, thanks." Simon managed to get out without wincing, putting on a small, reassuring smile.
"Alright. Hope you feel better." Ralph said, smiling gently, sitting back down.
"Thanks. I'll catch up with you guys later." Simon reassured, turning to the exit. He managed to get out the door without stumbling or walking like a drunk, but now it was getting challenging. Thankfully for Simon, not many people were out and about in the halls, so most of his journey back to his dorm was him walking alone.
Roger was on his way back from hanging out with Jack, when he saw the smaller dark haired boy walking, unusually, alone. So he decided to follow, making sure to stay a few meters behind the other. He noticed the other was staggering, and he wondered what was wrong with him.
Simon was still well unaware he was being followed. He tried to focus on getting to his room before he blacked out. His head was spinning now, making it hard for him to keep his balance. He grabbed at the wall with his right hand, clutching his head with his left. His thoughts were jumbled in his head now, as black spots began to overtake his vision. It all became too much for the boy and he collapsed, blacking out in the process.
Roger practically ran over to the collapsed boy, sweeping him up in his arms, holding him close. He ignored the questioning looks he received from other boys as he quickly rushed the unconscious boy to the nurse's office.
When he arrived, the nurse instructed Roger to lay the smaller boy in a cot. Roger must have looked worried because the nurse ensured Simon would be okay, and he just needed to rest. She also stated that these faints were a regular thing with Simon, which confused Roger a little, but he didn't question it, though he would ask Simon about it later.
Roger admitted he was worried. He had no idea why, he hardly even knew the boy. He was given a choice to leave or stay. He decided to stay with the smaller boy until he woke.
After what seemed like days, but was merely only a couple hours, Simon started to stir. He woke, still feeling slightly lightheaded. When his eyes adjusted to the room's dim lighting, he noted he was in the nurse's office. He wondered how he had gotten here and who all had seen his faint. He was worried about being made fun of for this. He was expecting to faint sooner or later, thinking he couldn't go all year without doing so.
Simon sat up slowly, holding his head in his hands, it hurt like hell. The small boy was oblivious of Roger's presence until he went to scan the room for a clock, almost jumping out of his skin when he saw the other boy sitting in a chair beside his cot, staring at him with worried eyes. Roger chuckled lightly at the other boy's reaction.
"Are you okay?" Roger asked, surprising Simon with the concern he was showing. Simon nodded his head in response, shifting his position so he was facing the other boy.
"What are you doing here?" Simon asked, genuinely confused.
"Well, who else do you think brought you here?" Roger chuckled, running a hand through his black hair.
"Oh." Simon said, taking his time to think this through. "And you stayed?" He asked, a small smile making its way onto his face.
Roger nodded, trying to think of an excuse or something to say, but his mind was blank.
"Thank you." Simon said quietly, fiddling with his fingers.
Roger nodded again, the corners of his mouth curving up slightly.
"You think you're alright enough to walk?" Roger finally asked, receiving a small nod from the other boy.
Simon quickly got off the cot and stood, Roger soon followed his lead and stood as well. Standing side by side, Roger noticed the extent of their height difference, internally chuckling, but he secretly adored the others size.
Roger took the lead, walking slightly in front of the other boy, opening the door and walking out. He waited for Simon to catch up, knowing his legs were longer than Si's short ones, he purposely started walking slower.
The silence between the both of them was neither awkward nor comforting, as they walked up the stairs that led to the dorm rooms. Roger decided to walk the smaller boy to his dorm, just to ensure he got there safely and to ask about his 'regular faints'.
Passing boys sent them both questioning stares and glances, wondering what the world those two are doing walking peacefully, alone together. It just didn't look right. Some thought they may just be friends, others interpreted it as the two are secretly dating. Of course these rumors have already started traveling around the school.
When they arrived to Simon's dorm room, the smaller boy turned to face the other before unlocking and entering.
"Did you uhm.. Want to come in?" Simon asked, hesitantly.
Roger didn't want to seem rude and invade the boy's space, but since he was offered, he decided to come in, just for a bit.
"Sure." Roger said, as casually as he could. Simon turned and put the key in the slot, fiddling around with it a bit before he got it to open. He motioned for Roger to walk in first, then followed, closing the door behind them both. They both stood there awkwardly before Roger broke the silence.
"So… Those fainting spells you have, their a regular thing you have to deal with?"
Simon froze, not expecting a question like that. He didn't know what to say and didn't want this to be used against him in any way. He opened his mouth to say something, but no sound came out. Roger mentally cursed to himself for making the other boy uncomfortable.
"You know what, forget it." Roger muttered, dropping his gaze to the ground. He started to make his way past Simon to leave, but was stopped by a hand on his chest.
"I-It's a condition." Simon stuttered, hesitant to tell, but figured everyone would find out soon enough.
"Oh."
"Yeah…" Simon trailed off, not sure what else to say.
Roger turned and walked over to Simon's bed, sitting down, patting the space beside him, wanting Simon to come and sit by him. Simon slowly walked over and sat down cautiously beside Roger, who was now crossing his arms.
"Were you trying to hide it from everyone or something?" Roger asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Maybe I was." Simon paused, crossing his arms also. "Why do you want to know?"
"Just curious." Roger said simply. "Why are you trying to hide it?"
"No reason." Simon lied, thinking Roger would just drop the subject and move on. But he didn't. Roger gave him a 'Don't-play-dumb-with-me-I-know-you're-lying' look. Simon sighed in defeat.
"Tell me, would you like it if you had this dumb condition that you couldn't control, prevent, or do anything about? How about if this condition had embarrassing side effects like fainting, nosebleeds, and seizures? Would you like it if the whole entire school knew this about you, then chose to label you as a freak? I sure don't like it, and don't want anyone knowing about it because of that. People are cruel." Simon was surprised with the words that seemed to flow with ease from his mouth. Apparently he wasn't the only one shocked from this, seeing Roger's stunned facial expression.
Simon was happy he seemed to have gotten his point across, leaving Roger with no words to say, but that happiness was quickly replaced by confusion as he was pulled into a tight embrace. The hug was stiff, but still quite comforting, as Simon melted into Roger's arms. Simon nuzzled his head in the crook of Roger's neck, inhaling his intoxicating scent of Axe cologne and spearmint. The hug ended too soon for Simon's liking, but he didn't say anything as Roger pulled away.
"You're not a freak. Don't let the words of others get to you." Roger said, soothingly. Simon smiled at the others kind words, but he knew that not letting others get to you was easier said, than done. Roger glanced at the alarm clock by Simon's bed and sighed.
"I should probably get going…" Roger trailed off. "Jack's probably wondering where I am." Roger stood and made his way to the door, glancing back at the smaller boy still sitting on the bed. "I'll see you around, Si." Roger smiled lightly before opening the door and walking out, shutting it gently behind himself.
Simon continued to sit there, going over what had just happened in the last couple of hours, in his head. It was so unusual of Roger to ask about someone else's well being, let alone actually seeming to care about another's feelings. Roger had even carried him to the nurse's office, when he could have easily left him be and walked away. Simon smiled as he remembered the hug they shared right where he was sitting, just a few moments ago.