Unraveled

ZION

"Our relationship started out like the rain,
A slight drizzle, a heavy downpour,
But like everything that brings joy,
Even the rain stops.

You were my joy."

A knock. A second knock. A third knock.

"I'll be right there" Zion yelled. He moved the last box into the empty apartment and let out a long sigh.

He headed toward the door and opened it, revealing the face of a cheery, plump, middle-aged woman. Before he could say anything she stretched out her arms, casserole in hand.

"I brought you a casserole!" She said, her voice as cheerful as her face suggested.

Zion tried his best to not let his expression give away his thoughts. Great, another casserole was all he could think. He hoped it didn't show on his face.

"Er, Yes...um, thank you, miss...?"

"Green." She chirped, practically bouncing with elation. What she was elated about, he didn't know.

He smiled, "Thank you, Miss Green." He repeated "The people here are very kind. I have received quite a few...pleasantries since I arrived here this morning." He said, trying his level best to not sound sarcastic.

Miss Green didn't seem to notice and even gleamed, proud of the residents like they were her children. She went on to ramble about the hospitality of the town's people. Zion would've listened—truly, he would have, if not for the jet lag setting in. He couldn't wait to shut the door, take a cold shower and a long, much-required rest.

After bidding a polite but relieved goodbye to Miss Green—whom he hoped to encounter as little as possible from then on (she spoke far too much)—he closed the door and dropped to the floor.

He was so drained from the interaction and the journey that he considered sleeping right there on the floor. He almost did, until he realised he was still in the same clothes he wore on the plane.
That got him up and moving toward the shower. He felt dirty, It wasn't just about being filthy—he hated the sensation of filth itself.
...

As the cold water streamed over Zion, the tensions of the day slowly dissipated. He closed his eyes and craned his neck upward, letting the cold water stream down his face.
He thought about why he had agreed to come here, to this small town in the middle of nowhere. The people of the town were hospitable, that was for certain, but hospitable doesn't necessarily mean good in large numbers. And right now, it was overwhelming.

It was unreasonable of him to blame the town folks, they seemed to be good people. He knew that, but being bored and frustrated with having no one to blame was unpleasant. So he blamed them anyway.

He turned the shower off and grabbed the towel from the top of one of the boxes, wrapping it around his waist.

Stepping out, he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the foggy mirror. He leaned in to get a closer look. He looked just as exhausted as he'd felt. The shower helped a bit, but he looked half-dead nonetheless.
He was ashamed, tousled hair and a dull face clouded with sleep wasn't a way to present himself to new neighbours. He sighed inwardly, there was nothing he could do about it now, he'd just have to make up for it by being nice.

On the other hand, this was a good town to choose to write a report on, a peaceful town with no problems, a beautiful lake and good scenery. It looked good on paper and not many people knew about it.
And there was also the matter with Oliver—his childhood and supposedly best friend. He hadn't seen him in four years!
They did keep in touch with the occasional calls and texts, which was how he'd ended up here in the first place. When he explained his report to Oliver, he had immediately suggested Ravenbrook.

Oliver had been his best friend, but that was in the past. Not seeing the friend you practically grew up with for a few years shouldn't change anything, right? WRONG.

Zion did still like Oliver but didn't want to meet him. He had gotten used to how things were and hadn't made any new friends since Oliver left, which was one of the reasons his mom thought he should move.
Oliver was ecstatic to hear the news of the move, so Zion couldn't disappoint.

Of course with his mom imposing on him daily, it wasn't like he had much of a choice.

In the end, it was he who had decided he would move, he told his mom he'd try to change, and he was here to do that.

Although, he didn't realise just how much this town would change him.