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Over the next few weeks, Noah started to decline again. He went back to burning himself, but he did it in secret. He didn't want to upset Em, so he kept his panic attacks and s3lf harm to himself. |
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Em got busier and busier, always making sure to leave time for Noah though. |
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Noah kept presenting himself as happy to Em, but continued to burn in secret. Some nights he'd wake, creep down to the downstairs bathroom, and burn himself. One night, Max caught him. Noah stood quickly trying to hide the burns and the lighter. "Um.. hey, could you not tell Em? I don't want to worry her..." her whispered. |
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Max was half asleep and noted what he saw, somewhat concerned for the man. "Hey, I won't tell her if you really don't want me to but---are you okay?" He asked, knowing he wasn't. |
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"Yeah, yeah, of course, yeah I'm fine," he said quickly, tripping over his words. |
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"Burning your way of coping?" He asked, scratching at the stubble on his jaw. |
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Noah froze, hadn't expected him to bring it up. "Uh.." he mumbled, not sure how to answer that. |
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"Cutting is mine," He murmured, flipping his wrist over and noting the thin lines on the inside. "Don't know exactly what you're going through but, may be shitty, may not be, who am I to say anything. But seriously, what's going on?" Max asked softly, not really forcing him to tell but offering it. |
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"I.. uh- I'm fine," he mumbled, lying. |
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Bright Sunshine with a few High Clouds
