The Institution For Young Adults

Chapter Fourteen

Warning: This book is entirely fictitious. Mentions and actions of self-harm and anorexia. Do not romanticize mental health disorders.

I took a fortifying breath and knocked on the right double door. After a second there was still no response. I tried again, receiving crickets once again. Is Nico not in there? Do I even have to knock if it's a public movie room?

"BOO!!" Someone shouted behind me grabbing my waist. I screamed and crouched to the floor grabbing my heart. Were these people trying to kill me!? My assailant started hysterically laughing, causing me to slowly stand and turn around. There rolling around on the floor laughing was Alex, tears from laughter practically pouring from his eyes. I huffed and crossed my arms.

I had half the mind to thwack him upside the head. The only thing keeping that exact thought from happening was the fact that Alex was basically a stranger. A six foot something stranger at that. After a couple more seconds Alex collected himself and stood. He gave me a bright smile before talking.

"What are you doing just standing out here Ollie?" Before I could respond he continued on in his bubbly voice. "I told Nico to meet me here to watch Far From Home and asked him to bring you! Are you watching with us!? Wait where's Nico? Did he not ask you?" Alex pouted. It took me a second to respond after the tsunami of words Alex threw at me.

"U-uhm. No uh. N-Nico was g-gonna ask me but I-uh. M-Miguel had me in his office so I guess. I guess Nico asked Miguel to ask m-me?" I ended in a questioning tone. I looked to the floor and fidgeted under Alex's recovered bright smile.

"So what are you doing out here then!? We should be getting our movie on!" Alex excitedly screamed.

"I-uhm. I knocked but no-one answered. A-and I di-didn't know if it was okay t-to just walk in."

"You don't have to knock for public places. The gym, movie room, and game room are for all of us." Alex responded brightly while taking my arm and leading me into the room. He threw both doors open and led the way inside. I looked around in utter astonishment.

This movie room was basically a replica of a movie theater. Except the black leather seats had all sorts of pillows and blankets. Some seats were even connected to make long couches, with end tables here and there to replace the missing arm rests that would hold drinks. The seats filled the middle of the room with stepped aisles on either side. Instead of starting on the ground floor like in regular movie theater's, you entered at the top most row. Behind the seats in the top most row was a fountain and popcorn machine. With all the regular movie theater snack fixings too on a marble counter.

Alex walked to down the carpeted steps to the right and led me to a couch section right in the middle of the row. On the couch curled up with a blanket and pillow was a sleeping Nico. I guess that explains why he didn't answer me. Who can blame the guy tho. He obviously had to spend the time somehow waiting for me and Alex. Alex jumped on the couch beside Nico and shook him awake. Nico popped open one of his eyes and groaned.

"Come on Nicoooooo! I wanna watch Tom Holland be his amazing seelllfff." Alex all but whined while roughly shaking Nico. Nico let out a sigh and slowly sat up, stretching his hands above his head, showing off a sliver of his toned stomach; his blanket having slipped once he sat up. Nico gently smiled at me then turned his attention to Alex. Giving him a scary look for waking him up. Alex immediately got off the couch and stood behind me. As if my five foot four self can shield you. I thought internally rolling my eyes.

"Alexander?" Nico asked. Alex replied instantly with a yes and a very aggressive head nod. Oooo. He don brought out the full name. You best run boi. I thought with a giggle. Nico turned to me and gave me one of his sweet smiles in response to my giggle. Alex let out a sigh thinking he was safe from Nico's wrath. Nico instantly turned back to look at Alex; resulting in him sucking in a harsh breath and almost choking. I gave another chuckle and waited to see what would happen. Not letting my anxiety make me think Nico would do anything bad to Alex.