Daniel gulped as tears continued to stream down the girl’s eyes. Was it getting hot in here? His suit felt tighter than it did before. God this empathy thing was hard - all Daniel Parker could do was stand awkwardly as he continued to pat her back. He’d read in the New England Journal that physical contact helped with emotional issues… was it working? Was it doing anything? Was there supposed to be a sign it was working? The New England Journal never said what kind of human contact was supposed to help. Was he supposed to poke her? Hug her? Kiss her? What the actual f*ck was he supposed to do right now. WHERE THE HELL WAS JEZEBEL WHEN YOU NEEDED HER? Oh wait. He couldn’t rely on Jezebel anymore. Sh!t. Aline? Elodie? Jessica? No not Jessica. She’d be like him. WHERE WAS EVERYONE?
“I-I’m sorry. I can usually keep myself under control. I’m sorry for making you feel awkward. My…emotions are…erratic. I’m just afraid people will find out. I’ve been told to be wary of you, and…I assumed things.”
Daniel stood frozen, still unsure of how to respond. “You,” Daniel pointed at a senior standing with his date - an unopened water bottle in his hand. “I suggest you hand that over,” Daniel said and almost immediately the man did as he was told and he handed the girl the water. “Hey… I won’t… do anything. Don’t worry. I’m an as$hole but I’m not that big of an as$hole,” Daniel muttered, scratching his head as he uncomfortably shifted his feet.
“That won’t happen again. Hopefully.” She sighed. “You think I’m nuts, huh.”
“No more nuts than the rest of this school,” Daniel responded, “And most people would probably say you’re way less nuts than me,” he continued, sending her a soft smile. Laughter… that aways worked right? God please let something work because Daniel did not know what to do. The last time he saw a girl cry was Jezebel Sloane and he ended up taking her to italy for food since she was craving Italian. But this… a girl he barely knew crying in front of him… this was new even for Daniel Parker.
Mentioned:
@Littlefeets - Jezebel
@unsungcheerio - Aline
@astxrism - Elodie