Clockwork

nine.

POV: Alexandria Colbin

As I stepped up to the Junior High, I noticed the sound of quiet sniffling behind the tree out front. I jerked my head to the side a few times before heading over.

Taking a deep breath, I peered around the tree. A boy was leaning against the wood, face in his hands, crying. He looked like he was in 8th grade, but I couldn't really tell because I couldn't see his face.

Black curls looped around his head, and dark brown skin complimented it well. He looked extremely skinny, and I could see bones poking out from his elbows.

I breathed in deeply again, suppressing a click, then spoke. "Hey, are you okay?" I knelt down next to him. "What's up?"

His head shot up and he gazed at me wearily, tears streaming down his face. Hazel eyes shone, but were slightly bloodshot from crying.

"I-I'm fine." His voice sounded hoarse.

"Are you sure? Do you need something?" It was taking so much energy to not tic right now.

He shook his head and I hummed, reaching into my backpack to grab the few snacks that I had. A granola bar, an orange, and a Capri-sun (don't judge, they're good!).

I held the three items towards him, and his eyes lit up. "Th-they're for me?" He sniffled, and at my nod, grabbed the snacks from my hands.

Immediately, he pulled open the granola bar and dug in, sighing after the first bite. I smiled, then furrowed my eyebrows a bit. This kid needs some serious help; this isn't normal.

"What's your name, bud?" I asked, then bit my lip to prevent a whistle.

He looked at me apprehensively, then back down at his lap, pausing for a few seconds before responding. "Benji. I mean, Benjamin, but everyone calls me Benji."

I smiled. "Hi, Benji, I'm Lex. Are you okay?"

He shrugged, the excitement from the granola bar gone. "I guess. I'm just scared to go home."

I paused, wondering if it's okay to pry in this case. I decided to do so. "What's going on at home that you're scared of?" I settled into the ground next to him, switching from a kneeling position to cross-legged.

"My mom is scary when she's drunk. She tells me messed up stuff, and I'm scared of her hurting me." He blinked a few times, then took a breath and put his head against the tree trunk. I stayed silent as he continued. "My dad left last year, and she thinks it's my fault. Even though he still sees me every other weekend."

"Has your mom ever hurt you before?" Don't tic. Don't tic. Don't tic.

"No, but that doesn't mean she won't in the future. She already doesn't really feed me."

I sighed and nodded understandingly. "I'm sorry about that, Benji. Do you have a phone?" He nodded. "Okay, why don't I give you my number, and if there's ever an emergency, I can come pick you up, and you can stay the night?" Don't tic. Don't tic. Do. Not. Tic.

He sent me a sceptical glance and I mentally cringed at myself.

"You're a complete stranger, I'm not going to stay over at your house." He said.

I laughed a bit. "Yeah, that makes sense. I guess I wouldn't want to stay at a stranger's house either. Do you want me to bring you food every once in a while?"

His whole face brightened, and he nodded. "That'd actually be great, if you don't mind! I-I mean, please?"

"It's no problem. Do you want lunch, or some snacks, or both?" I suggested, trying to make sure he could have the resources he needed. I hoped he picked both, because he looked like he needed it.

Benji considered for a moment before answering hesitantly. "Um, would you be okay with both? I don't want to make you waste your money on me."

"Of course. Do you have any allergies?" I asked. I HAVE TO TIC!

"I don't think so. I'm not really sure, though." He looked at the road, then stood up abruptly as a beaten-down red car pulled up. "I've gotta go. Thanks!"

I watched as he ran off, climbing into the backseat of the car, even though no one was riding shotgun. A wave of relief ran through me as I released some of my tics, jerking my head, clicking, and whistling multiple times before getting up.

I headed inside the Junior High, then climbed the stairs to reach the counselor's office. I smiled as I stepped in, noticing Hudson and TJ waiting there already.

TJ walks down from Gold Camp every day after school, which gets out at 2:50, then Hudson gets out at 3:15, but he's already at the JH, and then I get out at 3:40. Normally Bennett is waiting for me out front of the high school when it gets out, and sometimes we'll swing by and pick up the boys if Dad will be a while, but today she was busy.

"Where's Dad?" I asked, then clicked.

TJ replied. "In a meeting. He said to tell Ben to come get us, he won't be done until 5."

I nodded and pulled out my phone, then realized something. "Hudson, why didn't you just text her? You're on your phone anyways."

He shrugged. "I dunno. Didn't feel like it."

I rolled my eyes. This kid. Pulling out my phone, I opened Life360 to see where Bennett was, and it placed her halfway home from her work, the dot steadily inching down the road.

I clicked on the Phone app and pressed her name.

It rang for a half a second before she answered.

"'Sup, Xandri?"

"Hey, can you pick up me and the *click* boys from the Junior High? Dad won't be out of his meeting until *whistle* five."

"Sure! Be there in a few minutes. Tell Miss Kayne I say hi!"

I smiled at the mention of Dad's coworker, the counselor for middle schoolers with last names ranged A-M. She worked with Bennett, then me, now Hudson, and will probably work with TJ in a few years.

"Will do, Ben. See *click* you soon!" I hung up, then turned to TJ, who was waiting expectantly. Hudson was still playing Clash of Clans on his phone. "She'll be here in a few minutes. Is Miss Kayne in the meeting *whistle* as well?"

TJ shrugged. "I think you'll have to check her office. I'm not sure."

I nodded and made my way over. Sadly, her office was empty, and I headed back to my brothers. "Hudson, put your phone away. Let's *head jerk, click* go outside to wait for Bennett."

Hudson rolled his brown eyes and shoved his phone into his hoodie pocket, then trudged out of Dad's office. I sighed and followed him, placing my hand on TJ's shoulder to bring him with us.

Soon enough, Bennett pulled up, and we all piled into her car. Surprise surprise, Hudson grabbed his phone from his pocket the second he was buckled.

But before she removed the car from 'Park', Ben grabbed it from his hands and placed it in her cupholder.

"What the heck, no fair!" Hudson shouted.

"Language! You should know better." Bennett scolded, then drove onto the street.

"I didn't even curse." He mumbled back, earning a glare from the mirror.

"Mhm. And what would Mom say if I told her about this interaction?"

"You wouldn't!" Hudson's eyes widened.

"I most definitely would. You're not getting your phone back for a month."

Hudson spent the rest of the drive pouting as TJ excitedly told us about his day.