𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐌𝐄 ↠ 𝐓𝐨𝐦 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝

chapter 7: trust & empathy

"A good laugh heals a lot of hurts." - Madeleine L'Engle

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I NIBBLE lightly on a chip, flipping the page of a new book that I started. My body is numb to my medication right now. It's worked quicker than I thought it would. I can't say what I'm feeling. Whether it's good or bad, and it's been like that the whole day. Nothing has pissed me off or made me happy.

I'm thankful it's Thursday. I am beyond tired of this place already and I haven't even been here that long. My sleeping medicine has made me extra tired in the mornings. I can't wait for the weekend to show up so I can catch up on some rest.

"Skylar!" someone called. I looked up, seeing Austin waving and moves his hand in his direction to say come sit with us. Emily and the red headed chick turn in my direction, watching the interaction between Austin and I.

I shake my head, declining his offer.

"Please," he mouths.

"No."

"Come on."

"No."

I turn my eyes back down at my book, flipping to the next page. Then there came a shuffle in front of me. Austin takes a seat in front of me, setting his tray on the table like he's just made himself at home.

"Hey there," he says.

I look around the cafeteria, and back at his friends. The red head talks to Emily, while Emily looks over here at the sight of this. "Why are you sitting with me?" I say, closing my book.

"You look lonely," he simply states, opening his Gatorade bottle and putting it to his lips.

"No I don't. I'm just reading a book," I counter. "Now go back to your table. I would like to get back to reading."

"Okay...whatever you say," he says, standing from my table and walking back over to his. I'm taken back at how easy that was. Austin is definitely one to put up a fight, but maybe he decided to let things slide since that last night I told him more about me and made that special promise. With a surprised expression, I open my book and begin reading once more.

Then Austin sits back down right back in front of me. "Oh, I just forgot my backpack over there," he nonchalantly says, grabbing his sandwich and taking a bite out of it. I look at him with exasperation.

"What?" he ask, his mouth full of food.

"Why the are you still here!?"

"You said you have a book to read, so I'll be quiet while you read."

"What I meant was go back to your table so I can read alone."

"Oh," he pauses. "You didn't make that clear."

I sigh, pulling my curly hair behind my ear. He's persistent, I'll give him that.

"Read your book," he says, now plopping a chip in his mouth. "I won't bother you. I promise. Scouts honor," he says raising a hand to his words.

"I will once you leave."

"I'll be quiet."

"Go."

"Really?"

"Bye."

"Wait-"

"See you later."

"Skylar, I promise to be quiet. You can read and I can eat."

"No."

"Yes?"