Drowning.

I felt like I was drowning, like water was clouding my lungs as my head just shied below the surface of the water. It was like it was taunting me. I could see where my freedom was, where I could finally give my lungs the air they needed, but no matter how fast I swam or how hard I pushed, the surface always seemed just out of reach.

I could feel each forceful breath that made it past my chapped lips, and I could feel as it went down my scratchy throat and filled my burning lungs, but it still wasn't enough. I needed more. I needed a lot more, but I could never breath enough in.

Slipping my bottom lip between my teeth, I shook my head clear of my depressing thoughts and focused on the paper in front of me. It was completely filled in, other than the right corner of the paper where my name was supposed to be. I had finished it only minutes after the math teacher had handed out the paper, and I was the last person to receive it, but everyone else seemed to be struggling with the work.

I gnawed on my bottom lip as I slide further down in my desk, my right arm lying palm down across the arm of the desk, the chilled tile cooling down my over heated body. My feet stretched out in front of me, crossing over one another as they plopped down in the basket below the desk in front of me, which was empty, an obvious plus to being the weird kid of the school.

I stared blankly at my desk as I thought back to last night, small pieces floating to my mind though they were all broken and didn't really help me remember exactly what had happened last night. All I really remember is picking up the bottle of alcohol my sister had purchased for us. After that, it's all black.

I sigh deeply and shove the arm of my hoodie up further, it bunching up at the crook of my elbow. My fingers skimmed over the top of my desk, my focus on the picture someone had drew. I was so transfixed on tracing the grey lining, that I hadn't realized the teacher calling my name.

It wasn't until the person next to me slapped their hand down on the top of my desk that I jumped and looked up, my heart lurching into my throat when I realized everyone's eyes were on me. I gulped loudly, my ringing ears focusing on what the teacher was saying as I focused my wide eyes on my lap, my fingers plucking at the loose strings.

"What?" I asked softly, glancing up at the teacher for a second before I looked down at the paper, my heart rate picking up speed when I seen everyone was still staring at me expectantly, a few of the popular kids laughing and snickering. I cleared my throat and shifted in the seat, my palms beginning to feel clammy as my nerves grew.

"I said," He began, dragging out the 'i' in said, "Since you seem to be focusing on anything other than your assignment, I was wondering if you would care to come up to the board and do number 13 for us." Before he had even finished speaking I felt my body go tense in my hard chair. I slowly looked up at him, my teeth clasping harder around my lip when I seen his, as well as some other students, obvious smirk.

/Fucking prick knows exactly what he's doing./

I shake my head softly and turn my gaze back down to my paper, my hands subconsciously pulling down the arms to my hoodie to get some kind of coverage from everyone's burning gaze. When my arms were covered, I felt some of the uncomfortableness leave my body, but I was still a statue in my seat.

"I don't want to." I said quietly, my voice sounding weak and fragile. I didn't dare glance up, knowing if I seen the faces that belonged to all the people I could hear laughing, the tears that were burning my eyes would begin to fall.

"I'm sorry, did I give you a choice?" The smugness was clear in his voice. He was obviously so proud with himself that he could make a student so uncomfortable, so embarrassed.

Closing my eyes for a brief second, I inhaled deeply and opened them slowly, looking up at him. His arms were crossed over his chest, his body leaning back slightly from the way he was standing on the ball of his feet. He must of caught my gaze because his eyebrow quirks up, the corner of his lip tugging slightly when he seen me gulp before I picked up my piece of paper.

I had full intentions on standing up to walk to the board, but once I remembered I would be in front of /everyone/ in this room, I quickly leaned down in my seat, my paper falling from my grasp and fluttering in air for a second before it landed on the top of my desk, the top left corner of the paper hanging off the edge.

"We don't have all day." His voice was louder this time, making me jump in my seat. I hated when people rose their voice at me, especially when there was a room full of people.

My foot began to bounce. I can't do this. I can't go up and humiliate myself in front of the whole class. I mean, I know how to do the work, but what if the chalk squeaks too loudly, or my hand shakes too much and one of my numbers get messed up. I just, I can't do this.

Sighing in defeat, I slumped back in my chair even further, avoiding everyone's gaze and ignoring the thumping in my ears from how fast my heart was beating. I knew I would get pulled to the side after class because of the way I'm acting, that is, if I don't make it out of here before he can say anything.

I heard him clap his hands together loudly before he began to walk across the room and towards me. I held my breath, anticipating the moment he yelled at me, but right as his feet came into my view, the bell rang. The other students in my class shuffled around, all of them gathering up their work and belongings before they exited to room to head to lunch.

A large, calloused covered hand laid flat on my desk, a metal band circling his ring finger and shimmering in the light. "You have to get out of your comfort zone if you're ever going to become successful." He said quietly, just loud enough for only me to hear.

/Fuck you. I don't have to do anything I don't want to./

I forced a smile and looked up at him, my blue eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I know, I'm sorry." I had no idea why I was apologizing. It was him who caused my public humiliation, all because I had finished my assignment earlier than everyone else.

I heard him sigh quietly as he squatted down, his knees spreading as he slowly went down. "You're a brilliant student, and I don't see why you can't push through the..." He paused as he scratched the back in his neck with his right hand, his eyebrows furrowing. "/Problem/ you have."

I inhaled deeply at his choice of words, my nostrils being attacked by his strong, almost overwhelming, cologne. "I don't have a problem." I almost growled, ripping the paper out of his hand that he had picked up. I shoved it into my backpack that was leaning against my desk, the black backpack open and allowing me to quickly shove everything in there before I fumbled with the zipper, my shaking hands having trouble zipping it up.

"I'll see you tomorrow." He said, standing up and stepping aside to allow me to get past him. I almost ran towards the door, my body easily maneuvering through the desks. I needed to get out of here, I needed to get as far away from this class as I possibly could.

I kept my head bowed as I walked down the crowded hallways, having to step over some students feet that were eating in the hallway, their backs flat against the wall and their feet extended in front of them. I avoided their faces, knowing if we made eye contact they would laugh at me.

When I reached an empty hallway, I sighed loudly and stopped walking, pressing my butt against the wall as I bent over and put my hands on my knees, my backpack slipping off my shoulder a little. "Breath." I whispered, echoing the words my grandma spoke to me every time I got over worked.

At even the slightest memory of my grandma, I feel my heartbeat slow down and my body relax, a soft smile tugging at my lips. Her face pops into my head, and I can perfectly picture each and every wrinkle that covers her face. I imagine her eyes crinkling at the corners, just like mine does, as she smiles brightly over at, her perfectly white teeth showing as her lips stretched over them.

I breath deeply in relief and stand up straight once again, my eyes roaming over the hallway quickly to make sure I was alone before I began making my way towards the one and only class in this school that can provide me some sort of comfort, if that's even what you can call it.

I hefted my backpack further up onto my shoulder, the weight of the bag pulling harshly at my shoulder and digging into it, creating a red indent, even through the thick material of my hoodie. I ignore it as I push myself to walk down the hallway, my hand curling tightly around the strap of my bag when I walked into Mrs. Black's room and seen she wasn't alone.

Stood next to the older woman was the principle, as well as an older man with a brown hair. When they sensed my presence, the principle took a step back as well as the other man, allowing me to see a boy sitting in the chair right next to Mrs. Black's desk, his back facing me.

He had brown hair that was longer than most males hair, it reaching the tops of his shoulders. He had on a black shirt and black skinny jeans, and pair of black and white Dcs covering his feet. I hadn't realized I was staring at him until I heard the principle clear his throat, causing my gaze to float over to them.

"Mr. Styles, this is the student we were just talking about." Mr. Daniel said, his arms folding over his chest as he spoke. My eyes flicked over to Mrs. Black's, back to the principles, then over to the other man, hoping to get some sort of answer.

"Ah, so this is the infamous student. Hello, my names Desmond." The man I didn't recognize said, his lips curling back a little and revealing his teeth. They were perfectly straight and white, but the way he looked at me made me feel uncomfortable. I pushed back the uneasy feeling in my stomach and walked forward a few steps, slipping my small hand into his and shaking it softly before I let it drop down to my side.

"Hello, my names Louis." My manners instantly kicked in. I forced yet another smile today, my eyes locking with his brown ones. His smile was warm and his eyes twinkled as he stared at me for another second before he remembered why he was in here in the first place.

He cleared his throat and stepped to the side a little, allowing me a better chance to see the boy who has yet to speak. "Louis, this is Harry, Harry, this is Louis, the student who will be tutoring you." My wide eyes left Harry for a second as I looked over at Jen, or Mrs. Black, depending on what teacher is in the room.

I shook my head a little when I knew Desmond wasn't looking, my eyes going round and pleading. The second I seen Desmond look over, I quickly stopped shaking my head and smiled at him, my heart skipping a beat when Harry stood up and turned to face my, my eyes instantly locking with his green eyes.

To say I was shocked when I finally got to see him was an understatement. If I was being honest, he was not at all what I was expecting.