You would think that after coming here, I would have more answers than questions. However, I'm starting to have way more questions than answers. "Are you positive?" Danny asked, for what seemed like the millionth time. I nodded my head, deep in thought. I couldn't have just imagined that, right? I couldn't have just made that up. No way. It had to be real. "Well… if you really did hear him talk to you, what did he say?" I paused to think for a moment. "The usual, I'd assume any psycho would say. 'I'm gonna make you suffer' and creepily taunting me with my name." I looked over to the boy, who looked as if he was in another world. His eyes seemed to be staring into space, but he only replied with an, "Okay… I suppose that would make sense." I sighed. I trusted my judgement, but I couldn't blame Danny for not trusting me. We had only known each other for a couple of hours, after all. My brows furrowed, and my fingers rubbed my temples, as if trying to coax a realistic memory out of my brain- if one was even there. "I'm being honest, I swear."
"No, no. I believe you. It's just… weird. Maybe you can talk to my parents about it when they get back. I'm sure they'd have a logical reason for it. Or an answer, in the very least." The dark haired boy sighed, and all I could was nod.
The house grew quiet. Suddenly it seemed like my senses were breaking free from the fog that kept them from clarity. I could hear the soft ticking on the clocks simultaneously, and the rustle of the blanket as I rubbed my thumb against its soft fabric. Finally the medicine was kicking in. The teenage boy sitting next to me broke the silence. "You uh… want anything to eat? You're probably hungry." Trying to polite, I told him I wasn't really and that he should go back to bed. "Nah." He quietly chuckled. "Won't be able to get back to sleep anyway. Unless you really are tired, we can just chat for a while if you want while we grab something in the kitchen. School's been shut down anyway, just for the week. They want someone to come in and cleanse the building before students come back again. So I don't need to get up early tomorrow. Well. Technically today now."
He smiled at me and I couldn't help but smile back despite the mood I was in. Confused, tired, hungry, and still in a bit of pain, yet his smile still shined through. He stood and held his hand out to me, offering me some leverage for getting up. I gratefully took his hand and got onto my feet, however I felt lightheaded immediately. I glanced over and noticed Danny seemed anxious. "You just want me to grab you something? You did get a bad head injury… Probably wasn't the smartest idea of mine, to make you walk around."
"Nah, I gotta get off the couch. I need to move around at least a little bit."
"Alright… Well if you insist."
We sat at the kitchen table next to one another. I was wrapped up in the blanket from the couch, snacking on carrots while he nibbled on an M&M cookie. I was grateful that they had plenty of fruits and vegetables to choose from here. Being a vegetarian, it wasn't easy to find food to eat at other people's houses. I rested my head on my arm, relaxing in this new environment. I hadn't even gotten used to my new house yet, and here I was already growing more fond of this classmate's home. "Thanks for letting me stay here, and taking care of me and stuff. I really appreciate it." I whispered to Danny as he took the last bite of his cookie. It was rare that I thanked people for doing things for me. Usually I had to do things myself. My parents were no help. Dad was gone all day- working. Mom was usually out at some ritzy country-club with other rich women, and came back tipsy from wine late at night. "Oh, its no problem, it's really our pleasure to help out." Danny replied, with what seemed like complete honesty. It was good to know I wasn't a burden.
"Tell me about yourself? Since you're here and all, I wanna get to know you a bit more." A sincere smile spread onto his lips, and curiosity glimmered in his eyes. I blinked a couple times in surprise and responded. "Well… usually people aren't too interested in me. I'm the type of person who seems to blend into the background, despite my gothic look. I'm a vegetarian, obviously." I picked up a carrot and bit into it. "And my parents aren't too involved with me. Like I said, people don't seem to be too interested in me, and that includes my parents. Dad works all the time, mom is off hanging with her friends. Usually have the house to myself, I'm sure it won't be different for this new house. We just moved here for my dad's job." I saw sadness in his eyes for a second, as if he understood me- even just a little bit. I tried to move on from the depressing subject. "But as far as my hobbies go, I like to write and draw. I carry a sketchbook with me most of the time and doodle during class or write whatever ideas come to mind inside it."
"Wow that's cool! I wish I could draw and write, but I don't think I have the patience to learn how."
"Oh I'm sure you have enough patience. You've been pretty patient with me. You're probably not as bad as you think you are."
"You'd be surprised."
I laughed and chomped down on the last baby carrot I had. Danny had already finished his cookie, and I could tell he was starting to fall deep into thought. I waited a couple moments for him to come back to reality, but alas he did not. "Uh, something on your mind?" I questioned Danny. He flashed yet another smile at me and said, "Well I was just thinking, my sister Jazz is away at college right now. She left some of her pajamas and clothes and stuff here if you wanna change into something more comfortable." I was taken aback. It was so weird, suddenly being in a home where people cared about you. Where people fussed over trivial little things like sleeping in your day clothes, being hungry, or were even concerned about injuries. Is this what it's like to have friends? Or even family? It had been so long since I truly had both, I had forgotten. "Oh no I couldn't possibly-" I started, however Danny didn't seem to notice my decline in the offer and was already out of his chair before I could finish the sentence. He quick ran up stairs and came back a couple minutes later with some shirts and pairs of pajama pants. I quietly thanked him and found my way to the bathroom underneath the staircase and successfully found some things that fit. While changing I got a chance to glance in the mirror. I regretted that decision immediately. I looked black and blue and just plain bad all over. I tried to ignore it, knowing it'll heal, and walked out with my clothes from the day in one arm and the leftover pajamas in another.
"You sure your sister won't mind? I'm just thankful these fit and I can be at least slightly more comfortable." I handed the pajama rejects back to Danny, who was leaning against the wall near the bathroom. "Nah she won't mind. Half of it isn't even hers anyway." I paused. Well, the bottoms were definitely hers. They were a women's brand and size. Although the top was just a regular loose t-shirt, oversized but comfy. I figured it was hers, just a lazy day shirt with a logo printed on it. "Oh." I mumbled. I grew red in the face, but silently thanked Danny for keeping the lights dim so hopefully my red face wasn't too noticeable. "Couldn't find any of Jazz's pajama shirts, probably took 'em back with her to college. So I just grabbed an old shirt of mine that I don't wear much anymore." The teenage boy looked oblivious to the awkward situation. I was pretty sure I was fire-engine red by now. I could feel the heat wash over my face. All I could muster was a quiet "Thank you." and meander back to the couch.