you skin felt crawly as you moved quietly through the halls of the school you had gone to for many years. the summer was over, with it, the carefree ― anxiety free ― feeling you had nearly grown familiar with. you felt as though everyone's eyes followed you, even if the logical side of your brain told you it wasn't true. with a quiet sigh, you moved through the halls of the small school, finding your locker. neck bristling from the 'stares' you body was persistent it was getting.

stuck in your own head, the sudden groan of the metal lockers under someone's weight startled you. looking over, ponyboy and his boyish grin make your gaze focus. he gave you a small up and down look, a brow raising in confusion before glancing about. "you look nervous? or.. are you anxious?"

damn him, you scowled, he knew you too well.

he glanced about, "darry told me you have social.. anxious-isty?.. no, anxiety!" he corrects, giving you another glance over before throwing an arm gently over your shoulders and practically shielding you from the outside world. "do you wanna go outside? we have a few minutes before class, and there's less people out there." he suggests, tilting his head down at you.