Swiftcurrent Creek when you’re down, when you fall

Strange how one little word can feel so heavy, like a stone dropping against his rib-cage. The moment he hears it, all else is forgotten. He almost yells at the boy, almost tells him that it's none of his business, that it's rude to pry into the lives of strangers — but then he remembers his promise to himself. Anger and yelling have only ever made him weak, and he is determined to be anything but that.
I don't want to talk about that, When he does speak, his voice is icy but level, far from the shrieks that would normally have marked such an event. His eyes sharpen on the other boy, glaring for a moment before he looks away again. He's almost proud of himself for a moment — until he feels the heat pricking his eyes. Oh no. The air leaves his lungs abruptly. Ugh. He turns his face more, blinking rapidly and hoping to hide the tears until he can get them to go away, but he's certain it's too late. He'd been doing so good, until this stupid boy ruined everything — but he's determined to avoid yelling, so he seethes silently, wishing he was anywhere else.