Circles

Chapter V

"It's not necessary for me to take them... I already told you, I'm fine." 

Alister looked and Noah, narrowing his eyes as he handed him the glass of water and the pills. "You'll take them now," he ordered.

Noah made a disgusted face but swallowed the pills.

"Happy now?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Well, at least one of us is."

"Could you stop making a scene every time you have to take them?"

"Why do I have to take them? I'm not crazy!"

"You tried to kill yourself, Noah."

"That's not how it was! Why won't anyone listen to me?"

"What was it, then?"

"I told you already. I had to explain it to everyone over and over there; I felt bad and needed to wake up. I just needed to do it a bit, but I guess I didn't measure it so good... well, it worked anyway."

"Sure. After passing out from blood loss, you sure did wake up. You're a genius."

"Hey! I'm telling the truth!"

"You're seriously going to tell me you weren't thinking about suicide?"

"Yes."

"Looking me in the eyes?"

Noah averted his gaze.

"How long do I have to take them?"

"They'll reevaluate you."

"Ugh... damn it," he sighed.

"Hey, you should be grateful they didn't hospitalize you forcibly. I managed to convince them that I would look after you and that nothing would happen to you, so shut up and take the damn pills."

Noah looked at him as he sat on the bed.

"Why are you so angry?"

"Is this a joke?"

"No... why would it be a joke?" The innocent tone in Noah's voice exasperated him.

"Are you stupid? You tried to kill yourself! Why would you do that if you have me? Were you going to leave me alone? Am I not enough?"

Noah remained silent for a few seconds before replying.

"Alister, I wasn't trying to kill myself."

"Fine. Whatever you say," he muttered before turning his back and leaving the room.

"Alister! Don't leave me alone!" Noah whimpered.

Noah watched him walk away without even looking back, as he lay back on the bed, sighing in frustration. His wrist hurt, but he wasn't sorry for what he had done. The physical pain actually helped him feel better. Or maybe it was the pills they had prescribed. He wasn't sure, but he knew that somehow his emotions were more stable, and he didn't shift from one to another as easily as before.

Carefully, he got up from the bed slowly and headed downstairs.

Alister was sitting on the couch, in front of the turned-on television. His empty and dark gaze reflected the colors of the screen, making them shine in a myriad of colors.

Without a word, Noah approached and settled beside him, resting his head on his shoulder.

Immediately, Alister put his arm around his back and began to stroke his hair.