Two strangers. One room. And it doesn't end there.
Rhys Hayes has been diagnosed with dyscalculia. He finds it easier to avoid talking than have to reveal his secret: why he can't tell the time, or why he doesn't remember directions, or why he just...
Between March 28 and 29, the number of deaths in New York City triple from the previous 24-hour period; 222 people die of the virus, bringing the city's fatalities to 672, with 30,765 confirmed cases.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
✿ Verena ✿
"Rhys, I'm bored."
He looks up at me and nods once, then continues shoving the canned beans into his mouth. His long fingers wrap around the can lovingly.
"Rhys, please- wait that rhymes! Rhys please, Rhys please, Rhys please-"
He gives me a look, "please what?"
"Please talk to me," I plead.
"Go talk to your friend, he's sweet, isn't he?"
"Yeah but he's busy. He works."
"Cool," Rhys says, not sounding very cool about it.
"Please Rhys."
"Stop," He says, getting back to eating.
I take my phone and plop down on the couch. I think for a while and then type on Google, "Things to do with a guy when bored," I read out.
I look up to see if I have Rhys's attention and I still don't. He's so stubborn.
"Learn a new skill," I read out the first thing on the list.
"Do you want to learn how to be quiet for a while?" Rhys asks, and then stands up to throw the empty can into the bin. How did he finish those beans so fast?
"No."
I'm surprised when he walks towards me and takes a seat beside, circling his arm around my shoulders to rest it on the couch. He makes sure not to touch me and I make sure not to touch him.
My plam feels tingly and I wonder if those nerves activate only in his presence.
"Can you whistle?" I ask, turning to face him.
He lets out a loud whistle in response and I smile.
"Can you teach me?"
"I need a good look at your tongue first," He says.
"Oh?" I think for a while, confused.
I stick my tongue out, like I'm posing for a picture.
"Forget it, I'll just tell you how," Rhys says, his eyes on my mouth.
I fold my arms across my chest, still waiting.
"Put your tongue back in!" He says, "You're so impervious."
