“I shouldn’t needhelp,”I hissed.
“And yet we do. Tell me, did you feel the same way when you got your glasses?”
“N-no.”
“It’s similar, isn’t it? They help you function. They make it to where you can drive and go through life normally. I’ll admit that noise sensitivity isn’t something that’s super talked about, but it’s all the same to me.”
“It’s notjustnoise sensitivity,” I said with another sigh. “It’s part of a whole spectrum of issues. Most people don’t understand it.”
“I would. Or I’d try to.”
“Why?”
“Because you mean a lot to me.” She said it like it was obvious. “And that means leaving you alone if you want to be alone, but also staying if you want me to stay.”
“I do. Want you to stay, I mean.”
She nodded and sat. “Then that’s what I’ll do.”
“I don’t know if I’ll be fun company.”
“If you want to simply sit here in silence, I’ll do that too.”
I didn’t deserve this, not after yesterday. But, despite that, I needed her to know.
“The misophonia is something I struggle with, but it’s a part of a bigger picture. I’m autistic. I can accommodate myself and mask it, but only when I follow a strict routine and make time to rest.”
“And you haven’t been able to do that,” she said. “Shit, Henry, I’m so?—”
“Don’t apologize. I’m the one who agreed to it, and I pushed it too far.” I put my head in my hands and we lapsed into silence. I didn’t hear the door open and close, but I wouldn’t have been shocked if she had left without a trace.
The sympathy would fade, eventually replaced by annoyance. It was what had happened before. I’d had an inkling of what it was, and both Norah and Ace promised to help.
But then it got too rough for them both.
It was easier to hide it and pretend I was normal. Seeing others grow tired of me was far worse.
As the moments ticked by, I was able to breathe deeper. Pure silence and darkness were exactly what I needed.
Finally, I looked up, and Wren was still there, typing on her phone without making a noise.
“You’re still here?”
“I am. Are you feeling better?”
“Somewhat.”
She nodded. “I talked to Madison. The interview isn’t happening today.”
“Wh-what?”
“If you wanna continue, which you don’t have to, then we need to make sure the construction site isn’t ridiculously loud some other time. And I ordered you a pair of your own earplugs, ones that are recommended by other autistic people. They’ll be here in a few days.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Don’t understand what? That I’m helping you? I told you I would.”
“Why aren’t you angry with me?”