Hello Everyone! I hope you're doing well but my oh my it's be an unbearingly long time. I hope you're staying safe with all this craziness happening in the world and I hope you can forgive my terrible case of writer's block. :-( BUT I am here and motivated to write and I've got a few ideas up my sleeve ;-)

Enjoy!

Contagious Chapter 1:

Dick's POV

Garfield Logan led me into the cafeteria that brought up memories and nostalgia; not in a good way. The floors were especially shiny, and the ceilings had unidentified spots on them. I scanned my surroundings and I couldn't imagine a time where I missed the manor more. All I wanted was to use the bathroom in peace, but now I see that was not a reasonable request. Instead of communal bathrooms, I found myself on a tour led by no other that Garfield.

I slinked off behind him and took a seat begrudgingly beside my roommate.

But something was off about his demeanor. He seemed to have completely changed since I had just spoken with him back in the dorm rooms.

I shrugged it off. I signaled to him that I would be going up to get a bite to eat, maybe mingle if I was feeling up to it. Quickly, he stood, offering to come with me. This was definitely odd to me and I couldn't hold back any longer. I was going to have to live with him for eight weeks. This was no stay away night at summer camp, or vacation with your deviant best friends, this was a psychiatric evaluation center; a prison like detention camp; a living hell and waste of existence.

"Hey man, cool it. What are you some kind of lost puppy?"

And with that I stood and headed for the cafeteria doors. Forget the food, I didn't want to seem too confrontational and eating would only make things worse. My footsteps seemed heavy and I briefly looked down to make sure I wasn't stomping, though my steps seemed to echo.

I didn't want to turn around to see the look on his face. Not only would he think I'm a hothead but now a compulsive liar too. I hesitated and probably looked like an idiot to the other five or six patients in the room at the moment, but I remained still and began to turn back to where he was sitting.

"Hey man, watch it!" I heard Garfield shout. His voice was shaky, not confident at all.

"Look, it's Garfield in his natural habitat."

I observed from afar some guy dump milk into Garfield's chestnut brown hair, it dripping in front of his face and clunking at his eyelashes. He gasped and clearly at a height disadvantage, was incapable of gaining the upper hand; he was meek and inferior and most importantly, he knew this.

My conscience told me to defend him, things would be awkward if I didn't since I would inevitably be facing him later tonight. But my head told me to steer clear and avoid conflict; interfering would only draw attention. And so it was settled. I blocked out their relentless teasing and proceeded to head towards the same way I entered.

On my way out, I inhaled sharply by surprise as I was nudged in the shoulder by a tall bald, older looking man. He had a darker skin tone and his eyes were cold like stone. I became angry knowing that I was just pushed aside and my head whipped around to follow him. My feet had a mind of their own as I followed in pursuit to give him a taste of his own medicine. Did he not know who I was?

Unfortunately, he was headed back to where my roommate was. Garfield was now standing with cauliflower mash dripping from his hair, slippery and drench with the milk from before. The closer I came, the stronger the aroma of soy, and the combination of the two was quite repulsing. I began to hesitate, this is what got me here in the first place.

Impulsiveness.

Aggression.

Two of them enclosed where he stood, and although there was no violence, it was sure going to lead to one. Pushing and egging on. The big orange haired man they call Mammoth invaded personal boundaries and I felt bad for Garfield. His hot breath probably melting and foul against Garfield's pale cheek. The man who nudged me placed two hands on Mammoth's chest and pushed him so hard, his tailbone hit the edge of the cheap tables. For sure, there was a tiny crowd and things were soon going to get out of control. I had to get out of here, my image was at jeopardy. The very last thing I needed.

Suddenly, I made eye contact with Garfield. He perked up and seemed to get more arrogant, "You guys better watch out! My roommate Dick over there has a degree in kicking ass and he'll have no problem teaching a few lessons or two."

In a flash, all glances and glares were on me. A spotlight that I didn't ask for. But, hey, if that's the rep I'm starting out with, I better follow through. I nodded and took my hands out of my pockets. Garfield grinned despite smelling like sour milk.

"Oh yeah?" Mammoth sneered in my direction, "What's a matter pretty boy, ain't got the millions to get you outta this one?"

Pop.

The sound of his nose breaking bounced off the walls and I clenched my teeth to take my mind off the pain in my knuckles. The familiar crunch and red hair reminded me of Ryan, which is why I think I reacted so quickly. My ring finger was bruised from my last run in and it seemed to hit the same exact spot. The tray clamored to the once shiny floor and onto my shoes. I was livid. Mammoth fell back and reached for his face. I looked at his buddy, a slender and hunched over fellow.

"Did we make the rich boy ang-wy?" He hollered, a country slap oozing from his speech.

But it was time I grew up. We were all going to have to stay here, might as well try and get along. I glanced at Mammoth who had blood gushing from his nose and running down from his sideburns. Well, starting now.

"You know man, whatever. Garfield, just walk away."

I shook my hand and rolled my sleeves up. I felt heated and it felt like there was no air. I placed my hands over my head and muttered, "Just leave it." Before I could motion for my roommate to calmly walk away and for heaven's sake take a shower, when I witnessed stone face finishing the job. With his iron like fists, he punched him square in the gut and before slinking off, Mammoth grabbed him on his biceps and squeezed, digging his nails and trying to pierce skin. I watched Garfield scoop gunk from his hair and fling it in Mammoth's direction.

He managed to hit him and with such luck he decided to try again.

This time, he slushed some of it together. Meat surprise and someone else's bean puree. He flung it and it hit the papers of someone's book two tables down. I stepped in and pushed Mammoth back with my hands on his neck; forcing him to let go of Garfield's friend and in doing so he yanked my hand and twisted it.

It snapped and stung but nothing that I've never felt before. I wasn't shy of pain and I've had my experience in beatings. This time, the interception was a faculty member and because God loves me so, it was Dr. Wilson.

"Do you know why you're here, Dick?"

Dr. Canary sat with her legs crossed and her hands intertwined together, except for the pointer fingers which she placed on her bottom lips, her thumbs supported her head as she peered down at me.

The room was eggshell white with a lounge chair in the corner that I was currently sitting on. Staying in this room for too long was enough to drive anyone insane. If there was nothing wrong with them before, then there certainly would be afterwards.

I had plenty of reasons for why I'm here. And I had even more for why I shouldn't be here.

"Enlighten me," I readjusted the ice pack on my hand.

Disapprovingly she looked at me and then picked up her clipboard. She moved a blonde curl out of her eyes and wrote something down in ink.

"Wait, what are you writing?"

No answer.

I heaved, "Okay, look, I need to manage my anger better."

"I know," she said looking up briefly. "And good, 'I' statements are a good step. You need to realize that no one put you here except yourself. I think you underestimate me. And I think you underestimate everyone."

I simply raised an eyebrow. What was she getting at?

"My degree in psychology and experience with intelligence agencies determines such. What I'm writing are changes in your schedule and I'm adding an additional week to your stay with us-"

I sat up,"You can't do that, we had a contract."

Contracts with Wayne Enterprises aren't common for being edited and changed. I'd like to see them try and weasel their way out of this one.

"Actually, we already spoke to Bruce who is in full agreement on these terms. You hold grudges. You're impulsive. And you don't predict the consequences of your actions, which someone of your candor isn't used to having to do anyway."

"So what are you proposing?" I said impatiently. She was going to tell me what I needed to do to get out of here. I just needed to see how much ass I would have to kiss to make this a speedy process. "I'm sorry for snapping earlier and back in there I just- had a rough upbringing. I think I'm just acting out because I'm in an unfamiliar setting. I just," I swallowed pushing through," Need to make friends?"

Dr. Canary uncrossed her legs, "Would you like some butter on that roll? Because you're really trying hard aren't you." She smiled and continued to write some more.

"I'm signing you up for our indoor track and outdoor meditation. It's run by one of our patients so you'll have loads of time to cozy up to some of the people here. And before you know it, you'll be all clear to leave." She stood up and went to go click a few buttons at her computer. "For now, I'm keeping you with Garfield but if anymore violence persists, you're at risk of being sent to isolation. Which, trust me, as much as you seem you'd like it, you won't."

She dressed me another ice pack, and I was about to head out.

"And Grayson," I turned, "I'm dropping the one week extension, just stay out of trouble and for the love of God, do what you're told for once? I encourage that when your temper flares, put relaxation skills to work. Practice deep-breathing exercises and please, learn to walk away and let it go."

I genuinely smiled, getting rid of my short lived record here was finally a bit of good news. But partially because, I know how contracts work. And letting things go is easier said than done. I just waved and eagerly stepped into the hall and on the way back to my room when I stopped dead in my tracks.

The most gorgeous girl I've seen is outside of Canary's office, pinning something onto the pinboard. She was exotic. And absolutely mesmerizing.

I wondered what terrible, horrible thing she must have done to have been sent to this place but I couldn't bring myself to imagine her doing something despicable at all. Her vermillion, fluffy hair and golden skin beckoned me to say something to her; anything.

She giggled to her friend who was holding a nasty smelling towel that was used to wipe a novel she had in her hands. They spoke to each other and I guarantee I looked baffled, caught gawking and exposed without the shades of mine to conceal any apprehensiveness.

I ran a hand through my spiky hair and mustered up the courage to introduce myself, turning on my charm that was turned off for so long. I saw her gaze shift from her papers onto me. Her emerald orbs scanned me slightly, but she nonetheless had a smile on her features.

I heard the door open to Dr. Canary's office.

"And one more thing, Dick. You're going to go help clean up the mess you made in the cafeteria."

My face got red hot.

Not with anger, but with embarrassment, as I watched the girl give an inquisitive look at me and to Dr. Canary.

Okay so I'm gonna end it here but Chapter 2 will be out very soon! I'm thinking we get to peek in and see what happened to Garfield. Poor Gar and that terrible milk! and also lookie lookie, Kory's caught Dick's eye ;-))) anywho thanks for reading!

Until next time, loves! ^.^