The Religious & The Damaged (UNDER EDITING)

25

Elias

  Joseph and I have been sitting in silence for the last few minutes, his head on my shoulder—my hand on his arm.

  I lean back, and he looks at me.

  "Want to watch a movie?" I ask.

  "I don't really have anything to watch on up here." He replies, a hint of embarrassment on his face.

  I smile softly. "That's okay. We can watch on my laptop."

  I lean over and bring my backpack to my feet. I take out my Macbook and lay it in my lap, so I can remove my shoes. I scoot back and open the laptop at the end of the bed.

  "We can watch anything you want." I say.

  "..I haven't really seen anything but the movies in church when my father puts me in charge of the kids."

  I look at him. "What kind of movies?"

  "Movies to educate children about the bible, they're like cartoons."

  I let out a slight laugh and direct my attention to the laptop. "How about a horror movie?" I suggest, and I click the first one I find.

  I bring the laptop to my lap and scoot back against the headboard, and Joseph is next to me.

  I press play and he grows closer to be able to see, I assume.

  I relax in his presence—our shoulders touching and his face in my peripheral vision.

  A smile tugs at my lips as the realization settles in that we've come this far in just a short amount of days.

  And though with the realization and the excitement that comes with it, also comes a lot of worry—he isn't eating.

  How am I supposed to fix that? Maybe, I can't. Now isn't the time to think about that.

  I wanted to hang out with him, and that's what I'll do.

  He flinches, and it breaks me from my trance. I look over and he's watching the movie intently.

  He's so.. wow.

  He's so engrossed in the movie, and I can't help but be aware of the fluttering feeling in my chest because of how adorable he looks—when his brows aren't in an constant state of frustration.

  His eyes meet mine, and I smile more. He looks flustered; he always seems to be with me—It's cute.

  I look back at the movie, and I see that he does too. He flinches again, and so do I this time.

~•~

  It's pitch black out now, and I choose to head home, unfortunately.

  I stand from tying my shoes and say, "I had fun. We should do it again soon."

  "Sure." I smile and nod, then I turn towards the window. "Uhm.. wait."

  I look back and watch as he turns and walks over to his closet. I turn completely.

  My gaze shifts over to the sweater hanging on the door—it's bloody, and it disappears when he shuts the doors.