Hollow | BxBxBxB

-37- The Future

Connor awoke peacefully in his room to the sound of his door opening. Was it really that time again already? Sitting up in his bed and blinking the sleep out of his eyes he stared at the doorway as Doctor Mercury stepped through it.

"Good morning Connor, you ready to come down to breakfast?" Doctor Mercury asked chirpily.

Connor nodded unenthusiastically, he was not an early bird at all, neither was he a night owl. He loved going to bed early and waking up late. That was ideal for him, these early morning breakfasts weren't his natural habitat.

He followed the doctor downstairs and into the dining room, everyone was there this time. Including Liam and Owen. Owen looked unbothered as Connor entered giving him a sly glance before turning away.

"Hey Con Cons!" Alex yelled loudly making Riccardo jump from across the table placing a hand on his chest.

"Morning Apricot" Connor shot back quietly making everyone except Owen laugh.

"Not fair!" Alex protested pouting jokingly at Connor who just gave him a small smile as he took his seat. Breakfast went without hitch from then on, neither Owen or Liam really uttered a word. Connor did notice Riccardo glancing around nervously but tried to not worry too much. He got all his breakfast down quicker than some of the other boys, this made Simon give him a cheesy thumbs up in congratulations, it was a very good step.

Once they'd all the finished, the usual boring routine of stepping out of the dining room and taking seats in the communal lounge happened, Connor sat between Liam and Alex whilst Riccardo sat opposite with Owen, despite being next to each other the two were about as far apart as they could manage on the small couch.

Unexpectedly Simon also sat down with them, in between the blonde and the Italian. Usually at this point he'd be going to his office.

"Fancy a game doc?" Alex questioned as he got the controllers out handing one to Liam and one to Riccardo, he also glanced at Connor who shook his head but noticeably left out Owen, or as Alex called him 'The Rat'.

"No I just need to have a word with you all before you start playing if that's okay?" Doctor Mercury replied sternly his eyes travelling between all the boys. Alex rolled his eyes but placed his controller on his lap giving the old doctor his attention. Something Connor noticed was hard to keep with Alex.

"As I'm sure you're all aware we had an... incident yesterday. A fight broke about between two patients" Doctor Mercury began but Liam interrupted him.

"We were all there we know the details, get to the point so we can do something less dull than listen to you drone on about it" Liam snapped scowling at the doctor.

Doctor Mercury sighed. "Liam there's no need to be rude, but as you wish. What I wanted to say was a reminder, I want to remind you all why you're all here, each one of you are here to get better, this isn't a social club, a party or a fight ring. This is a troubled boys home and for all of you an alternative to hospital, juvey or an impossible home life. So please remember to be kind, respectful and welcoming to both patients and staff" Doctor Mercury told them his voice level with a firm tone.

Connor nodded glancing at Owen. The boy had a bandage around his nose and looked very smug at the doctors words.

"So if a patient makes fun of another patients dead relative, is that considered not kind, respectful or welcoming?" Alex challenged raising his eyebrows and flashing Liam a glance. Liam nodded at him in approval his gaze shifting to the doctor inquisitively awaiting a response.

"What if a patient beats the shit out of you for something you can't help when you're already struggling enough as it is? I wouldn't say that's any of those things" Owen said his lips forming into a sly smirk.