Minor Gifts

Chapter 8: "Is It True?"

It's sad to know that I, and the others, have been locked up in the capital for almost a year now.

Almost a whole year has gone bye... Scents the last time I had seen my father. As boring as life in my bright, white, room sounds... It really wasn't that boring, seeing I was sleeping 60% of the year...

Every time I think about the many unsolved questions that Dr. Link has still not answered yet, I get angry.

But I now can tell that she doesn't answer my questions for reasons I don't understand. And I always get a feeling she's actually trying to protect me from somthing...

'What is that something?' I asked myself.

***

After my warm shower, I walked out of the bathroom finding Dr. Link greeting me with a weak smile. I knew she was behind the door before, but she never really smiled for no reason before.

But she had a reason. Although her smile was weak, and lacking joy... She had a smile on nonetheless.

"Happy Birth-Week, Jayden..." She suddenly said as she reached for my hand, releasing in it some dice.

I didn't know what to say. I mean, she didn't have to give me a gift today, or even ever... But the fact that she did was no doubt thoughtful of her.

"I-I... Thank you." I politely muttered.

"You deserve more, but it's all I can give." She said, now she looked like she was sad, almost in tears.

"Lets get you to the Rec Room." She continued saying, as she led the way.

***

Now I look forward to the Rec Room each month. Its so much better then being alone all the time in my lonely room.

When I entered the Rec Rooms door, there was balloons, pizza, and cake! What?

I looked back at Dr. Link before she shut the door behind me. "What is this for?" I asked, forgetting it was my Birth-Week.

She shooked her head with a grin on her face. "A Party is always better on a Saturday, Jayden. But this can mean whatever you'd like it to mean." She answered, as she shut the door.

I chuckled a little seeing everyone's laughter, smiles, and all having a good time. The Rec Room was alive, with streamers, balloons, and party hats.

This was nice... A nice distraction.

I headed over to my table of friends.
They all greeted me with red solo cubs filled with red punch. I was excited to see everyone's smiles.

As normal, Bennent was begging for Sylvia's attention. Grey was threatening me, with his handfuls of cake. And Blue was distracting me with his breathtaking, blue eyes.

So as you can see, all five of us have definitely bonded threw the year. And we are all turning 14 in two days. So we had something to laugh and talk about.

***

While we were all sitting around our table (Playing 'Better Story') Bennett was telling his funny story. I suddenly heard a quiet voice in the back ground, too quiet that I couldn't understand...

It freaked me out. And I looked around the table to see if any one else was hearing what I was. But they were all listing to Bennett. I then looked around the Rec Room. But everyone was busy enjoying this short amount of fun, before they had to head back to there rooms.

I looked around the room one last time and saw a boy, with the black hoodie that the lab provided us in the winter (Though it doesn't get to cold here in the capital...). He was the only boy not wearing a muscle shirt. It was cool seeing someone covering up. He had dark green eyes, and a well kept hair style. He was staring at me as he shuffled a deck of cards.

He was a loner. I could tell. I hadn't noticed him before, He was part of the invisible's. Meaning he was someone who was independent and antisocial. And enjoy people watching.

Sounds creepy? Well, if I didn't meet my four friends I'd be at my own table too. So I couldn't judge him for how he felt.

***

After playing a few more rounds of story telling, (I had totally forgot the quiet little voice that I had heard before) Grey asked if we wanted to try a game of 'Secret Truths' I hated that game...

It was like Truth or Dare but without the Dare. Someone would pick a player and whisper in there ear a truth question. And they would have to answer, 'Yes or No'. Out loud. It was a stupid game, really...

But seeing I was out voted, I had to play. Can you guess who Grey picked first?

Yah... Me.

"Jayden! I pick Jayden." He called out loud enough for me to exhale a breath of protest.

He leaned over to my ear and asked, "Is it true, that you are crushing on someone at this table?"

I instantly turned red, and my eyes darted to Blues direction.

I may of gave it away... But I answered "No" anyways. I wanted to bang my head on the table for not noticing my tiny crush on Blue (Tanner).

Grey whispered something in my ear before facing everyone again, "Sure..." but he didn't sound like his normal teasing self, he sounded more curious, and unsure. And that wasn't how Grey (Cole) was.