Chapter Text
Bot’s POV: 11/03/20XX
To be honest, it was like any regular day at school. That specific group of boys poking fun at their friends, friend groups either playing sports or huddled in a corner chat with each other, and some people spouting the new trends they saw in social media about some random number or saying.
During lunch I was sitting at the table with Poppy. I had my lunch of a plain packed ham and cheese sandwich from home while my partner ate the depressing school lunch of a grilled cheese sandwich.
I swear to object kind, where did cheese come from? It looks like plastic with the shine and everything even when melted. Ewww, how is it still edible?
I just passed them my chips I packed in my lunchbox to make up for it. There is a BIG reason I started packing my own lunch.
After 10 minutes go by, Poppy then passed me a note.
“What’s this for?” I questioned, looking at the folded-up piece of binder paper.
“Please don’t open it now, wait until you get home. It’s a bit private.” responded Poppy.
“Oh ok.” I then slipped the paper into my pocket and we just chatted like nothing really happened. I couldn’t help but ponder what was written on that note though. It has to be something serious if I can’t open it now.
-
I safely got home and took off my shoes the minute I got home. My dad, Fan, then passed me, catching a glimpse of me by the corner of his eye.
“Hey Bot, how was school today?” he asked.
“Nothing really happened. It’s just the same thing again.” I then put my shoes off to the side.
“Well that sucks. What about Poppy?”
“They’re fine. I can see that they’re doing better while I’m glad for.” I couldn’t help but smile a bit.
Fan noticed the smile and did the same thing back. “Awwww, It’s nice that you care.”
I felt a bit of warmth run up to my face. “Dad! Just… You know what I mean!”
He let out a slight laugh, “Well dinner is ready at 6, Test Tube is making alfredo pasta tonight.”
“Alright…” I said, looking down at my socks. I still kept my head down as I went up the stairs and to my room. I closed the door, threw off my backpack back to the floor, and slumped onto my bed.
After laying there for a good 5 minutes, I pulled up the note from earlier.
I unfolded it to see that it’s in a poem format. I never really took Poppy as the writer type but I guess they’re just trying it out. The handwriting was pretty neat that looked like cursive due to the swoops on ends of the the g’s, j’s, and y’s.
I then began to read it in my head:
Ouroboros
As I swallow my tail
I reflect on what has caused this
Perhaps it’s the stress
Perhaps it’s the people
Perhaps it’s the thoughts
They just linger
Like the red liquid from my arm
And stick
Like the liquid on the metal
By this point
I don’t even remember
Why I’m doing this
As my fangs sink in
On my tail
It stings badly
But I just can’t help myself
Because by this point
I have forgotten
What this is all for
Surely this could come off weird but once you really think about it you get the full picture.
An ouroboros is a snake or dragon that eats itself. It is a symbol of some sort of cycle of life. In this poem, they’re saying it’s a never-ending cycle.
Poppy has struggled a bit with self worth and what people think of them. They beat themself over it a lot which is very sad to see for me. Those are the people, thoughts, and stress in question.
Because of this, they resorted to the worst possible way they could’ve coped with this.
I’m never going to forget the look on their face when I caught them in the act. The blood on their arm and pencil sharpener blade in hand. The red liquid and the metal.
I comforted them so much, never leaving their side at that moment. I bandaged them up and gave them so many reassurances. It was a tough night for the both of us.
I never want to see Poppy that way.
I’m happy they’re now 2 months clean. I tell them over text to keep it up and that I’m proud of them for getting this far. They even have an app that tells them how long it has been and set up goals.
But by this poem, I can tell they're right now struggling.
I need to text them. I want to tell them it’s okay and I’m here for them.