Work Text:
I'm at the train station
Harold read the message, took off his glasses, rubbed his eyes, put on the glasses and double check what he read and who sent it
Yep, it's Heather, and the picture comes with the text is the train station of this town. Why is she here?
It's a regular Tuesday, he's in the end of lunch line, some upper classmates just cut the line and no one dares to say anything
He don't have to check the schedule to know they don't have any plans of sleepover, they haven't done it after they're in middle school, even the number of their messages and phone time is decreasing. He feels like they're friendship have comes to the end, which is very disappointed at least, but he didn't let it take him down, he keeps everything he experiment in mind and move on
That's why this sudden text so suprise to him, the last time he got one is three weeks ago which she asked him about the math homework, and now she's in town for no reason
"Don't stand in the middle!" A kid purposely bumped into him and cut the line, at this rate he's never going to get his lunch
Harold sighed, place the tray on the trash can then leave the cafeteria. He responds the text
Why are you here?
Just tell me where can I find the restaurant, I'm starving
That didn't answer my question
What I'm doing is not your business at all
Unless you're going to pick me up, please tell me where should I go
Ok, looks like he's not going to get the answer
Now what should he do? Demanded the answer until she give up on finding help from him? Or just give her an address and call it a day? Or maybe just ignore…no, he can't leave him former best friend alone in the city she's probably forgets the direction
Another kid bump into him, this time he lose balance and falls to the ground, what he only gets is an angry glare; Someone is talking about how they're exciting for the dodgeball game in the PE classes he's also attended; And there comes his science project partner that have yet do anything, the deadline is next wednesday
Looking at all the people passing by like he didn't exist, and the text on his phone request for help, he makes the decision
I'll be there in ten minutes
———
When she typed out 'Unless you're going to pick me up', she does not expect Harold will actually show up
But there he is, on his bike that painted bule and red, stopped in front of her
"Hop on"
Don't know what to say, she get on his back seat, and let the bike take her down the street
"I know a place that serves some awesome pizza, you're gonna love that"
Harold started talking about how good the pizza is and what used to happened in that place(like there used to be a building that got take down because of some freak incidents, and the spirit is still haunting the current building, it's always something like that); When they arrive the place, the topic changes to the difference conspiracy theory when he saw the old poster of sci-fi movie. And Heather just listened
The clerk looking at the two kids that should staying in school right now, decided they didn't get paid enough to care. So they just serve the food and back to the counter playing crossword
"You want some?" Harold picked up one slice from his plate, looking at the red chilli sauce covered the crust, Heather shook her head and take one of her pepperoni pizza
"Too dry" She complain, but still finished it anyway, after all hungry is always the best sauce
"What are we going to do next?"
"Next?"
"I'm already in deep trouble when I go over the fence, there's no reason to go back. Not like I'll miss much anyway"
Heather didn't plan this at all, in fact, she don't even know why she's here. She was supposed to go to school this morning but…she just don't want to
But since she's already here…
"Did you still have our sleepover stuff?"
———
They shared a fun afternoon together
At first they found their old DVD collection in the basement, and spent ninety minutes laughing at the horrible CGI slime monster trying to eat childrens; Then they play some games, or rather, fighting about who remembers the rules right instead of reading the instructions; When they're tired of yelling, they lying on the carpet while watching the photo album
"I think I still have this somewhere" Harold point at the birdhouse in the picture they took when they're ten
"I remember this, Damien broke mine the week after I'm home, and my mom threw everything away before I can fixed it"
"You can have mine, if I find it"
"Nah, it'll probably end the same"
"Harold, what did I told you about having a sleepover?"
Two kids jumped by the sudden voice behind them, turn around, Harold's mother is looking at them with her arms cross
"Ask permission three day beforehand?" Harold said nervously "And…about school……"
"I know, you skipped all the classes afternoon. Gosh, did you know how worried I am when I got the call? I thought you're in trouble! Two weeks of chores for you, starting with all these mess"
"Yes" Knowing he's in the wrong, Harold got up and began the cleaning
Not sure what to do, Heather just smiled "Long time no see, Mrs.Mcgrady!"
"Just call me Helen. And may I ask what brings you here today?"
"Well…" Heather genuinely don't know how to answer, she doesn't know the reason well either "Impulsive though…?"
"Can you be more specific?"
"It really is, I was on my way to school, and suddenly I don't want to, but I also don't want to go anywhere else near my house so…I'm here. Does that makes sense?"
Helen sighed, she's always welcome her kid's friend, but not when they show up unannounced with obviously something in her mind
"Listen, I don't know what you're being though, but I don't think taking a three hours ride to another town is the good way to run away from your problem"
"I'm sorry okay? I just don't know where else can I go and this is the first place I think of"
"It alright, you can come here if you want"
"Really?" Heather didn't expect she will be this welcomed, consider she the reason why Harold skipped the class
"As long as you give me a head up before arrive so I know how much ingredients to prepare. Speaking of that, did you mind help me for dinner?"
———
The rest of the day go on like the normal sleepover. Until Harold finally ask the questions he had in mind since he got the text
"Wanna tell me what brings you here?"
"Right now?"
"I thought you'll tell me yourself, but I don't think that's gonna happen. So why?"
"I don't know either" Heather buried her head in her knees "I just walking to school, thinking about some stuff happened in the past few days, and then I just…feel so tired"
"I don't want to go to school, I don't want to go home, I feel like I have no where to go…that's when I remember you. And the next thing I know, I'm in the train station waiting in line for ticket"
"So is it like, peer issues or family stuff? Or all?"
"It's…complicated"
"You know, I have been reading Scarlett's psychology book so maybe I can help"
"Don't"
"Maybe I can get you to the therapist I know…"
"I don't want to talk okay!?" Heather shout "I'm don't need, or want your help! You just happens to be the first thing I think when I don't know what to do, that's it! Stop talking!"
"But why am I the first you think if you don't want my help? Did you not have anyone else to help?"
Heather didn't say anything, just look away with tears in her eyes
Why did he have to bring that up? Can't they just have a fun sleepover like they used to do?
She don't want anything to remind her own problem, she just wants a good laugh, a good moment, just she and her friend together like when they're still kids with nothing to worry
Harold looking at her, he don't know what to do or what to say, and of course he won't know why she's upset
But one thing he's sure, she want help, and he's the only one can do that. So he have to
"Here" He open his arms, Heather staring at him for second before hugging back
"…Can I come here again?" She whispers
"Anytime. If you need me"