Were the handcuffs necessary? It was an accident. Not that anyone up to this point believed me. The bed was comfortable enough. Hopefully the food was good. When they first said I was coming here I was mostly worried about the food. I still am. Is it like cafeteria food, or even hospital food? The bed aligned with mine on the same wall was still empty. Also who would I be rooming with?
"Maybe they won't be so bad. You don't have to share with me after all," the taller of the two joked. The blond scoffed. The brace holding their entirety of their left leg stiffened.
'I'll have someone look at it later,' he groaned, thinking to himself now irritated.
"If this roommate is worse than you Roy, the next few months is going to be worse than torture," the blonde smirked. Roy laughed.
"I'm glad to see you still like me. Your affection is still cold as ever. But I think I should point out you have to open the door. With my hands and your one good arm, you have the only good hand." Roy's hands were heavily wrapped and the others arms were one of two. Tanner had one good hand and it was busy with his suitcase. He set it down, and turned the door knob. The blonde stepped further through the door. He took in the room and it's single occupant. They weren't hard to miss. They had crazy bright hair and were cuffed to their bed. In addition their arms were wrapped in hospital bandages.
"That's nice. I am rooming with a delinquent," the blonde mumbled. Roy walked right up to the bed.
"Hi, I'm Roy. That there is Tanner. I would offer my hand but their currently out of commission," Roy introduced. The boy in the bed, who looked maybe a year younger than them smiled grandly.
"My names Nate. Ignore the handcuffs. It's really just a big misunderstanding. So I'm guessing one of you are taking the extra bed?" Nate asked.
"That'd be me. But I have to ask, why?" Tanner looked at the boy and then eyed the cuffs and met Nate's face again. Roy sighed.
"You can ignore that. Tanner here doesn't have a grasp on manners yet." Nate chuckled. Still smiling, he explained,
"It's fine. I'd be asking the same thing. A small shop and a small fire later, no one is dead and I'm being charged with possible arson. And some nasty burns."
"I'm gonna die." Tanner shuffled to his bed. Roy laughed.
"You are not gonna die"
"I can assure you," Nate insisted, "I will not be lighting you on fire." The blonde managed to sit on the bed with his leg brace and one handed. The redhead had to ask, as curiosity had always had the best of them.
"How'd you break your arm? And why is your leg in a brace and wrapped?" Tanner sighed.
"The leg is severely burned, mostly healed. I broke my arm. Any other questions Nosey-Rosey?" Nate's hair was a shade of bright red. Tanner thought the name was fitting at the moment. Roy replied with his own version.
"We thought it was ok to experiment with fire in a small shack. We got stuck, leading to his leg getting buried and my gloves melting into my hands. Ever hear of alchemy? Doesn't work for the record. Basically magic." Tanner could care less what the other told people as long as he didn't tell this kid they hardly knew more than he needed to know.
"You told us your story. That's ours." Nate listened patiently.
"Have you two met the others coming today?" Nate asked. Roy answered no.
"We just got here ourselves. I know we're all meeting later in the lounge to meet each other. A meet and greet of sorts," Roy used his foot to scoot his friends suit case out of the doorway where it sat forgotten and against the nearest wall now.
"I'll catch up with you Tanner. I'm going to find my room. It was nice meeting you Nate." Roy left. Nate turned to Tanner's turned back. He didn't know yet if this was going to be too much fun. His roommate was kind of a stick in the mud.
"I know you're all here because you're on the mend, but things at Maryland Rehab aren't that bad. I'm your head doctor here. My name's Angelina Dallas. I prefer Miss Dallas though, so you can call me what you like. Let's start our introductions with Nate. Just say your name and if you're comfortable, why you're here." The woman smiled. Still in handcuffs, Nate sat up straighter.
"I'm Nate. I'm here for my arms." He decided to skip reason for his confinement.
Tanner and Roy sat beside Nate. Tanner was blunt.
"I'm Tanner Williams. This is Roy here. We were being stupid and played with fire."
"I would be Roy if anyone didn't get that," the boy added. The three boys were in the older teen range, the next not much younger. The girl dressed rather maturely for their age and was sporting a basic head wrap that covered an eye. They didn't look happy to be there. The girl was still quiet. She made it clear she was not taking her turn.
"I'm next then. My name is Kyle, and I'll be leading the group from here on out." Kyle looked twenty-two, or even twenty-three. His face and lower arms were marred by old scarring but had mostly faded. He wore a ball cap.
"I was treated here a year ago. If you ever have any questions I'm happy to answer them." He smiled.
'This ones happy too,' Tanner thought. The person next looked interesting. It was hard not to notice the large scar. It incased a large portion of their forehead and started down the back of the head.
"I'm currently interning. My name is Dylan and I'm also available if any of you need anything."
Angelina spoke up.
"Thank you for that everyone. We have one other here who was unable to make it. Their circumstances are unfortunate. They will be in their Room for much of the time." She was brief. Dylan, Roy did notice, was uncomfortable. He put the observation away in the back of his mind for later. Angelina continued.
"Lunch is ready and after that for those who haven't found their room yet, we will show you to them."
'I thought there would be more of us,' Tanner thought. The room started to clear. Dylan led Nate and the girl with no name followed in silence after. Angelina excused herself leaving Kyle with Roy and Tanner.
"You two ready to go? The foods pretty good. I'd know, I helped prepare it," Kyle attempted to lighten the mood. The answer was second nature and blunt.
"No." Roy looked surprised. His friend wasn't one familiar with such an answer when food was concerned. "I'm good here. You guys go ahead."
"What's wrong." Tanner sighed. He knew the tone. It wasn't a question as much as it was a friendly order.
"Nothing is wrong. Can I just not be hungry?" The blonde half bit back his tone. He knew Roy meant well.
"You're Tanner Williams. You're always hungry," Roy smirked. Tanner wasn't listening, still acting like an indignant child. His smile gone, Roy decided to level with his stubborn headed friend.
"I can't make you stand, or you know I would. I've never pushed you to do anything, but just this once, talk to me please." He was asking. The boy looked away.
"Fine." He caved. "My leg hurts. I'll get food later ok?" Kyle chose now to step in.
"We can help you with that. We have pain medication if you want it."
"Fine." He didn't like relying on others too much. This once couldn't hurt. "Thanks."
Kyle smiled, standing. "How about we use a wheelchair for now? And then after we get some food we can have your brace checked and I'll grab you the pain meds here in a minute." Pride was something they all had. Each wore it differently. Kyle took note of Tanner nodding a 'yes.' Retrieving a wheelchair from somewhere in the room, neither Roy nor his friend saw where it was kept, Roy aided the blonde carefully into the chair. Tanner could be stubborn, but that just made him even more 'Tanner.' Crutch in hand and Roy pushing the chair, the three went to join the others.
"They have a lot in here. Catch Phrase. Taboo. Uno. Monopoly. Oh!" Nate awkwardly, still cuffed, grasped the game box. He held it to show the others gathered around the sofa's. After having their fill, Nate had decided to explore, more or less snoop. "This one's always been my favorite! Anyone game?" Roy could only restrain half a face of 'Is he serious?' Tanner vocalized his opinion.
"You pass up the card games, the board games, the word games, and instead ask the group of people who either have no hand functionality and wheelchair bound, let's not forget you're handcuffed, to play Twister." The boy wasn't detoured by the others sarcasm.
"Yep." Nate still looked as happy as any kid about a surprise on Christmas morning. Roy leaned in towards Tanner's chair sitting on his left.
"Next thing he'll be suggesting is that we have a campfire," Roy cracked.
"And s'mores," Tanner added. Nate had continued talking. Kyle kept up with the boy.
His brother would like these kids, Kyle had thought somewhere in the middle of the day's events.
"Are you still mad?" Nate asked. The curtains had been pulled across the window, and the room was black.
"I'm not mad. I'm frustrated," the blonde answered honestly with hardly any of his usual attitude. The redhead was still somewhat confused.
"What again was it that you got so angry about?" Tanner turned onto his back to stare off into the ceiling. He replied,
"If you ask Roy he would tell you it's my 'oh so positive attitude'. But seriously, it's probably not even you. My sister tells me I need to work on being nicer before I do, well, my go to sarcasm. So don't take it personally Nate. I'm not mad at you."
"I won't worry about it then," Nate said. He decided to change discussion. "Were allowed to have visitors starting Tuesday. Who's coming for you?" Tanner decided to indulge the conversation.
"My little sister and friend. Best friend I guess." The other quickly responded, positive they weren't interrupting.
"My best friend Leeanna said she would be here bright and early. Said she would bring our other friends with her too. I like Leeanna. She's fun, real smart when it comes to school. She always dresses in the best things too. Like, nothing matches and she always looks happy." Tanner laughed quietly, thinking.
"I think Leeanna would get along fine with my friend," he smiled at the humorous idea of two such people meeting. "Angelyn really takes time picking out everything she wears. Not the cliche bad attitude though. Angel is almost always wearing a smile and loves telling a good joke." Nate chuckled. Tanner could admit that Nate wasn't as annoying as he had made himself seem that day.
"See you in the morning Nate. Goodnight," Tanner said, rolling over carefully, very aware of his leg and arm
"Good night Tanner."
Nate had propped his pillow against the wall. It was too quiet.
"Tanner?" The boy tested.
"What?" The other grumbled into his pillow.
"Want to do something?" Tanner sat up a little and glanced at the alarm clock on the nightstand.
"It's eight something in the morning. I am not getting up before I have to."
"What if I let you pick out the game." Tanner's interest peaked hearing the other's offer.
"Alright. And you have to wheel me into the lounge because otherwise we'll be here a while." The blonde agreed, bargaining himself. Nate threw his blanket off and jumped to his feet.
"You don't even have to ask. Consider it done!" He too eagerly in Tanner's opinion brought the wheelchair closer to the bed. Tanner had thought about insisting and walking himself. Weighing his options, If Nate had so much energy this early why make more work for his half-asleep brain? Both in their pajamas and almost situated in the chair, at least wanting to do that much by himself, they were ready to go.
"So what game did you want to play?" Tanner had one in mind already.
"You've probably played before, it's a classic," he grinned. It was a personal favorite. Nate pushed the chair through the door. His answer wasn't a guess, and he said it with surety.
"Twister."
"What? No-are you-," Tanner stopped and breathed, reminding himself Nate meant well, even though he had so much he could say.
"It is not Twister. We covered this yesterday. It's a favorite for me and my sister. Ever hear of Jenga?" Nate's face brightened at the familiar name. He replied with a happy 'Of Course. Who hasn't?" They turned into the Lounge and Nate left Tanner at the coffee table. That was the best word to describe it. Fishing the game from the closet Nate quickly set it up. Tanner pushed the first block out smoothly. Nate took his turn. While playing, Tanner noticed the boy's unbound hands.
"When did they take off the handcuffs?" he asked. Nate looked excited, and replied,
"I've been cleared for now. kyle talked to Miss Dallas and she agreed with good behavior that I didn't need them. On top of that the store isn't pressing charges since I'm here at Maryland and all. " The blonde was actually happy for the other.
"I'm glad. That's got to be a relief. Eating and sleeping and all I mean. It sure couldn't have been very comfortable." The thought had crossed his mind after the initial meeting the first day. He wasn't heartless, just really stubborn. By now the tower was starting to favor the left.
"Make your move wisely Nate. It could go any turn now." Nate eyed a possible block, then said,
"You know there are two ways for this game to end."
"Yeah. Either you or I win," Tanner answered bluntly.
"By your logic, there's three ways to win then. I'll move this one." Nate chose a safe piece; an outer row. Tanner began eyeing his turn once the tower settled again.
"I'll ask. What is the third way to win Jenga?" the blonde asked. He was actually interested if he was being honest. Everybody made up house rules for favorites like Monopoly and chess. Jenga was no exception. "Oh, I found something." Nate let Tanner start to pull his piece.
"Jenga Punch!" He enthusiastically exclaimed and punching the already teetering tower. Tanner's face stood blank. He didn't say anything. Nate's grin wavered.
"Too much, maybe?" He started to move a little ways down the couch, out of the other boy's reach. Tanner still covered in Jenga blocks was laughing. Nate thought for a moment, maybe he won't have to run. Not that he would have to run fast, the thought had come to mind. He didn't doubt the blondes supposed bad attitude. However this was the complete opposite.
"You're laughing." He said it like a statement needing verified.
"Who the hell punches a Jenga tower and yells 'Jenga Punch?" Nate had to laugh at the idiotic idea of it. It really was stupid. And now funny.
"What's so funny at eight-thirty in the morning? Besides Jenga gone everywhere." Roy cracked. He was still in his pajamas and headed for breakfast. "I think you broke Tanner, Nate. I'd clap you on the back a job well done if the thought didn't make me cringe, but you just got a genuine Williams laugh. One of few."
"You make me sound cold, Roy," Tanner looked his friend's way.
"I'm not saying that, it's just nice to hear you laugh. In fact, it's a compliment from the bottom of my heart." Roy exaggerated with his hands a little. Tanner turned back to Nate.
"Anything from the bottom of this guy's heart is usually backed by ulterior motive. Just fair warning," The blonde joked. Roy sat on the adjoined cushion by Nate.
"My only motive right now is food. Anyone else?" Nate's answer was lost as he was already headed for the door.
"Can you come back here you speed demon, and maybe bring me along? Roy is useless for the task," Tanner looked at his friend with his smug smile. Roy took the bait.
"You know you're more useless than me right now. I'd be careful." Nate was back and had the chair again.
"If I didn't know you two were friends, I'd probably believe you hated each other," Nate interrupted.
"Love Hate. It's our friendship summed up," Roy said, and Tanner nodded a confirmation. They all left for breakfast together, forgetting the mess on the floor.