Photography class
-

Everyone's attention is focused on you

Your hands were sweaty, fidgeting with the aglet of your jackets drawstring

You were panicked, and it was showing.

"For my part... I um.... I chose to do p-pers...pective..."

Your voice dimmed in realization of exactly how many people were looking at you

'What the fuck are you doing?'

"H-huh?"

"I said, are you okay?"

Fischl spoke up, reaching for your shoulder hesitantly. You rejected her touch in fear as your eyes widened.

Your breath hitched

Talking in front of multiple people, some of which you've never even held a conversation with was NOT your forte

'What a weirdo...'
'Why isn't she saying anything.'
'Why are you just standing there.'

Thoughts filled your brain and your breaths became heavy and quick

'I can't stand it. Why can't you just-'

"I'm sorry.." Tears formed and fell down your flushed soft face

You take multiple steps back, your head against the wall , embarrassment and fright overtaking you

"Y/n, if you wish to leave and take a breather, you may."

You whip your head around towards your teacher, a gulp following the motion.

You nod quickly and run out of the classroom towards the bathroom leaving the thousands of eyes watching you.

-

You locked yourself in the bathroom, and called the only person who would be able to help you right now.

Tears collecting on your eyelashes made it hard to see.

Ring Ring Ring banana ph-

"Y/n?"

Silence.

"Hello, are you there?"

Sob

"....."

"Y/n?"

"I'm sorry... f-for calling you when you're probably napping or something. I-i just... don't feel well. Could you pick me up... please?"

Your voice was cracking and that was all xiao needed to run to the school

Beep

He hung up.

You lifted your knees to your face, gently resting on them as you cried.

Waiting

Waiting for something

Someone

Anyone to help

You hate crying. It shows you're weak. It gives your enemies a chance to attack. A weak point.

'But darling... that's all you are'

....

'You're weak.'

"No I'm not... I..."

'Oh ? So now you can talk'

You take a sharp breath and your eyes widen.

"M-mom...?"

'How is it you're able to talk now. But not over there huh? We were so close to winning y/n. If only you weren't the way you are. Be like your sister! She's perfect, she's social, she. can. talk. So why can't you?'

....

'Answer me y/n.'

"Mom I... im s..sor"

'SORRY? SORRY WONT CUT IT.'

"P-please don't hurt me.. please... please please please"

Your quiet sobbing turned into a waterfall of tears

Repeating over and over "please"

The voice of your mother remained in your head as you began to hyperventilate.

You covered your ears with the palm of your hand, wishing, wishing for it all to go away. All your pain, troubles, and thoughts.

"Y/N!!!"

"Nonono please, I'm sorry. I'll talk I'll be like yoi please don't hurt me I'm sorry I'm sorry im-"

"Y/N!"

Xiao bursts into the bathroom panting , sweat dripping from his forehead

He then comes to a halt, his mouth agape and his brows furrowed.

"I don't want to be here... I'm sorry... don't hate me, I'll be good I'll speak... I'll be normal..."

You muttered those words multiple times, over and over.

"Im sorry..... I didnt mean t-"

Your body felt warm. A pair of hands came to reach the back of your head, leaning you against their shoulder.

"Y/n.. you're okay now, I'm here... I'm here."

"X-xiao, I- I'm-"

"It's fine y/n, let's go home when you're ready."

You sniffled, tears welling in your eyes as you cried in his shoulder

-

Sniff

"Y/n are you hungry? I can pick up some food or order something."

"No thank you I'm fine..."

"You haven't eaten in hours you know. It might make you feel better. maybe some ramen?"

"Kay."

Xiao heaved a heavy sigh and prepared to leave.

Before he left, you spoke in a small voice.

"Do I have to go.. tomorrow? To school, I mean."

He shook his head, then turned to look back at you

"Take as much time as you need, I'll go and explain to the front office later."

"Okay, thank you." You mumbled

You obviously aren't normally this dry, but when it comes to her... your mother... there's not much you can do to calm yourself

It was like a blunt knife repetitively stabbing your heart, the force increasing with every hit.

That's, what she felt like. A knife.

Something that, instead of being a useless item, was turned into something that was able to hurt you. Impaling and thrashing into your heart and mind.

-

Fischl pov
———

"Y/n, if you wish to leave and take a breather, you may."

Y/n rushed out of the classroom, crying.

"..."

"I posted a new assignment. work on it." Yelan addressed sternly seconds later

"What the hell was that?" Scaramouche inquired, a bit of concern was shown on his face.

"I'm not sure.." I responded

I've known Y/n since we were in pre-school but one thing has never changed since then, and that's her stubbornness.

She refuses to talk to me about any personal problems, especially her mother.

I guess something must have happened between them...

School has ended, and everyone has been released. However I can't stop thinking about y/n...

There was a muffled voice in the background, one that seemed... annoyed?

"Oi! Fischl are you listening?"

"Huh? Oh sorry mom"

She huffed "child, what am I gonna do with you"

"Sorry sorry! What is it that you needed mother?"

"I need you to go to the store for me. I need 2 packs of tissues, 6-"

And so there I was.. on my way to the supermarket.

'Huh?'

A familiar tint of black and green filled her peripheral vision

'Xiao?'

"Xiao!! "

The boy looked up towards her and sighed

"Hello Fischl"

-
A/n - idk if u could tell but this chapter was 100 words longer than normal!! Lmao anyways ty for 1k reads ! I'm working on the next chapter right now