After our meal, we walked around the pier and the crowd slowly started to grow so we moved ourselves to walk down a pathway along the beach. We were quiet for a while just simply enjoying the view of the ocean, seeing the sun slowly setting, and the people still swimming or surfing in the water. I paused for a bit to look and Elliot paused beside me as he waited before we started walking again. I don't remember how long we walked until we had to turn back around to walk over to his car and by the time we returned the crowd eased.

“Elliot, what do you usually do with your friends?” I asked him, curiously. “I doubt a lot of guys you know to enjoy these types of hang-outs.”

Elliot chuckled, “Yeah, they kind of don't. Unless there are girls involved or a bonfire or something then we’ll come here to hang out.” he said as he unlocked his car. “They are more of the 'bro' type. Video games, eating lots of pizza, and work-out.”

“Hmm, I don't mind the first two, but I’m not the athletic type,” I said.

“That's fine. I wasn't either until I tried out for volleyball. Actually, I don't know why I even joined the team.” he said, thoughtfully.

“Did you even like watching sports?”

“Sometimes, but it was mostly basketball or soccer,” he answered.

"Why didn't you try it out?"

“I wasn't interested.”

I laughed. “Alright.”

“I think I only did it because my older brother played a sport and I think my parents were expecting me to play as well,” he said as he started to drive once we were all buckled. “My mom remarried after my dad’s passing and my stepdad has a son three years older than me.”

“And were they excited about it?” I asked.

“Um, it seems like they don't mind. My mom is the only one that comes to my games.” He said. “My dad is a workaholic and my brother ended up going to college a couple of hours away so we hardly see him.”

I nod as I thought about this before turning to him. “Then why still play it? It doesn't seem like you had to do it.” I said.

He shrugs his shoulder, “I know. I kind of realized that after a while, but I'm not so bad of a player so I thought I might as well stay on the team.” he said.

“Are there any games coming up?” I asked.

“Yeah, actually. We have our first game of the season in three weeks; which means I might not be in gym class when we have 'away' games.” he said turning to me. “But I'm sure you'll be okay, right?”

“Oh, yeah. Don't worry about me. I'm already doing better in class now and I'll also be going to tutoring sessions with Jennifer this coming week." I reassured him. "You have to let me know when you have any games at the school. I want to come to see you play.”

“Yeah? Alright. I'll let you know. It'll be awesome if you can make it.” He said and after a couple of minutes, we finally arrived at my place.

I got out of the car and leaned against the open window. “Thanks... Thanks for taking me out and sorry about that whole…”

“Let's forget what happened. Everything else was fun and it's been a while since I've gone out with a friend.” He said. “If you rather we just chill by playing video games and eat a whole box of pizza then we can always do that next time.”

I smiled, “I honestly don't even mind that.” I said.

Elliot drove off soon after and I made my way inside to see my mom watching television in the living room. She looked over at me as I locked the door then walked over to sit beside her and sighed as I started taking off my shoes. We didn't say anything as we sat there for a while before I leaned over to her and rested my head on her shoulder feeling tired.

“So, how was it?” she finally asked.

“Good,” I answered.

"Just good?" she asks.

“It was fun,” I said as I stared at the screen before sitting up. “It was all fine, but I did have a panic attack and I freaked out when I felt like you were right after you told me today.”

“Honey, I didn't mean for that to worry you,” she said, frowning.

“But you were right. You were right to say that I wasn't ready, but that also means I should try and not always limit myself when I go out. I told myself that I want to get better so that means I have to also step out of my comfort zone if I want to do that.” I tell her.

“But you should also limit yourself so you don’t get yourself sick again,” she warned.

“I know, mom,” I mumbled.

She sighed as she reached for my hand and held it. “I was thinking of setting up an appointment with a therapist... I know you were kind of against it, but it doesn't hurt seeing one at least once a week or two,” she said.

I sighed as I thought about it before turning to her. “Let me think about it,” I said. “I know I should, but I still don't want to see one just yet.”

She nods, “But consider it.”

“Yes, mom,” I said before getting up. “I'm going to bed.”

A couple of days passed, I was able to go to the tutoring sessions with Jennifer, but I kept my distance with the other students. The help kept me up to date with work assignments and in no time I finally understood the questions in my homework. I still felt nervous about going to my classes and I haven't had the chance to get to know anyone in the classroom but at the moment I didn’t find it so important. Elliot still came by and he returned to being a teacher's aid in Ms. Lang's class so he stopped sitting beside me. I didn't mind it because Jennifer helped me when I needed it, but it also reminds me that I shouldn't be dependent on him because of the challenges I faced. The only problem I have is David; always trying to bump me whenever he has the chance and every time he does I always tend to freeze up, but I can't tell that to Elliot.

He wasn't doing much besides pushing me slightly when he bumps me on the shoulder, but I hate it whenever he does this. It disgusts me and it leaves a lingering burning sensation that stays with me. Having someone touch you without permission and that tingling feeling that gives you chills in the back of your neck. I woke up one morning after staying up late to do my English essay, but for some reason, I didn't want to leave. It wasn't because I was being lazy or tired, but I just didn't want to leave and I lay there quietly staring at the light coming from my window. After about ten minutes, I finally got out of bed to change and put on my shoes then made my way outside. I got in the car after Elliot came by and I sat there staring outside after we greeted each other.

“So, we finally got our schedule for the season. We're going to have our first match on Tuesday at the gym if you still want to come by,” he said.

“Mhm,” I said as I put the window up. “I'll go.”

“Alright. Maybe we can go out to eat afterward.” he continued. “Usually the guys all hang out and go to the burger joint a couple of blocks from here, but we don't have to join them.”

“Alright," I said as I saw that we finally came to the parking lot and got out after he parked.

“Are you okay Michael?” he asked as he followed beside me.

I turned to him and shrugged. “I don't feel so well,” I confessed.

“Are you getting sick?”

I shook my head, “No…” I answered before turning to him. “I'll be fine. I think I just didn't wake up on the right side of the bed if you know what I mean.”

He nods before reaching out to grab my shoulder to stop me, “If you don't feel that well just tell me. I can always take you to the nurse’s office.” he said.

“It's not that severe,” I said.

“You sure?”

I nod before I started walking and we were both quiet until we came to the classroom. I went to my desk without saying another word to Elliot. I decided to keep to myself in class today without having to bother Jennifer with the assignment and once class was over I left without saying anything to Elliot. Maybe it was wrong of me to keep a distance from them, but I also didn't feel like talking today. The classes went by fast only because I stared mostly at my textbook and during lunch, I kept myself hidden sitting on the bleachers at the football field. By the time it was time for the gym, I saw Elliot waiting for me by the door outside the locker room and I took a small breath before walking to him.