“ i just wanted to help. ”
“Well if that’s the kind of help you’re going to give than don’t fucking bother from now on,” he snapped and immediately regretted it. He felt his anger seep out and the tension leaving his shoulders, leaving him to move to sit on the edge of the sidewalk, curling up on himself until his elbows were resting on his knees. He took a deep breath as he ran his hands through his hair and exhaled slowly before looking at the boy who was still standing nearby, looking quite small despite how tall he was.
The boy truly hadn’t done anything wrong per say. It was true that he had wanted to help, Seth could tell, and it really wasn’t the boy’s fault if things just got worse instead of getting better. He doesn’t know if what happened will end up being talked about on social media, probably as it usually was always the case. And the boy is probably not even aware that he unwillingly got himself dragged into a situation. That strangers hiding behind their screens will probably talk about him and tear him apart. He wishes he could have protected him from this.
“Look, I’m sorry,” he eventually tells him, “I didn’t mean to snap.” He had just been still upset over what had happened, over this asshole who wouldn’t leave him alone. Still, that was no excuse. “I’m actually a bit thankful because I’m rid of him for now and it’s all because you stepped in, but I just…well I guess I wish you hadn’t seen that.” He brushes his wet hair away from his eyes and tries to wipe his face with a piece of his t-shirt that’s still dry. It’s not easy considering he’s dripping after having water thrown at him.
