Unmasked

Chapter 27

*sips tea* 😗🍵

I put all of my belongings into my room, leaning my pack pack up on my bed and my sketching stuff on the desk. I took a big breath and looked over the room, my new room. It was crazy to think about how much life could change in two weeks. I went from a run down, shabby building with terrible parents to a luxurious rustic cabin with a bunch of idiots. Kind, sweet, idiots. Most of the time.

I grabbed ahold of my sketchbook and pencils, making my way down to the art room in the basement. The only ones I knew that might have been in there were Ryder or Benji. Finn told me when giving me the tour, that they were really the only artists.

I carefully walked down the steps, making sure to be careful with my cast. I looked into the pool, remembering the embarrassing events that took place. Then by the music room, which I knew I had to check out one of these times. Then the theatre room.

I knocked on the shut door, unaware if there was someone in there or not. When no one answered I made my way in, stopping in my tracks when I saw Ryder sat on the cushioned chair, music blasting through his earbuds. I set my sketchbook down and poked him on the shoulder.

He looked at me, and quickly hid away his sketch pad. "What do you want?" He grumbled, taking his earbuds out. I sighed quietly, and told him what I'd been meaning to tell him. "I just wanted to say thank you." I told him honestly, he gave me a questioning look. "For what?"

"For saving me from that guy." I told him, looking down embarrassed.

"Anyone would've done it.." He mumbled, rolling his eyes while untangling his headphones.

"That's not true." I told him exasperated, maybe he didn't know the full extent of how terrible humans could really be. He just grumbled a 'whatever' and set his earbuds down.

He groaned loudly, throwing his head back. "I'm sorry for being a dick." He muttered quietly, his eyes not reaching mine. My eyes flickered up from the floor to him.

"I'm actually not that sorry, but I'm a little sorry. So little sorry." He joked, I think.

I thought about his apology for a moment, I assumed him apologizing to anyone was rare so I took what I could. "Apology accepted." I smiled kindly, he gave a tight lipped smile back.

"So, does that mean your not gonna be a jerk anymore?" I asked, teasing. He chuckled lowly, "Don't get ahead of yourself." He warned, shaking his finger.

I sighed, "I'm also sorry about what I said about your mom. That was wrong of me, and I..." I took a small breath, "I shouldn't have assumed." I said sincerely, he bit the inside of his cheek and looked deep in thought. Regret, pain, anger all flashing through his eyes. "It's fine." He said, also sincerely. I smiled happily to myself, that Ryder and I were warming up to each other a bit more.

"Now go, when I'm down here no one else is." He turned back to the closed off guy, but I was fine with it. He let me in for a little bit and that was progress. I felt like I was also getting better in the short time I've been here. No where near healed and okay, but it's like I'm sitting in the doctors office waiting to be cared for. I nodded and walked out of the room, closing the door behind me.

I walked up the stairs, much happier and more content than when I went down there. I made my way to the kitchen, surprisingly no one was even there. I rummaged through the fridge and found some yogurt. I sat on the stool and ate it until I heard a knock on the door.

I looked up the stairs, and around to see if anyone was going to get it but no one came down to see who was here. I sighed and threw away my yogurt, opening up the front door.