Neil wasn't used to calm, to peace, to serenity. He had spent most of his developing years fearing his father and running from his past for some semblance of safety. His mind was constantly running, thinking about acting normal, about blending in, about staying safe.

That's why it felt so strange to wake up next to you, his head in the pillows of his dorm bed, auburn hair sprawled and arms tucked under his head, and feel calm. He laid there, staring at your sleeping face, and counted to four on his inhales, held for two, then exhaled for four. It was routine for him, to calm himself, but he didn't feel like he needed to. Of course he still did it anyway.

He sat up, his skin feeling annoyingly tight and itchy. He glanced at you, a smile crept across his face. But there was that feeling of calm again, and for some reason his heart started pounding. He wordlessly gets up, crossing the room to grab a shirt, and walks out to go to the roof. He leans over the edge, sucking in breaths of cold morning air. He wants to go on a run, maybe get this weird feeling out of his body, but he feels stuck to the ground. In for four, hold for two, out for four.

Neil knew you would follow him, you had a knack for knowing where he was. He didn't like it, it made him feel predictable, made him feel out of control, yet it was nice that someone knew him so well.

"Sorry. Felt weird." He mumbles when he hears the roof door open, staring out at the sun as it rises on the Palmetto University campus. "I'll be down in a bit."