Just My Imagination...

New Home

The building was just the way you'd imagine. It was just like you'd see on TV. It was so white inside... Everything was so white... And sterile... It felt like even looking at a single spot for too long could ruin it's spotlessness.

I was guided up to a ward towards the back of the building. I would have people I could interact with, but not at all times. Mostly, I would be alone in my room... Except that I was with Pete. But he didn't exactly count in their eyes.

"Room 27b." The staff that was guiding me said plainly. He pushed open the door and I was greeted by more sterile walls and a single cot in the corner of the room. There was an empty shelf high over the bed, and a crappy TV high up in the upper corner of the room, but not much else.

"Clothes are exchanged daily at wake up call." The staff member continued in a bored tone, "You'll get food three times a day. Whether you eat it is up to you, but breakfast and dinner are served in room while lunch is served with others in your ward for minghling purposes."

The staff member pushed me slightly, so I stumbled into the room, before shutting the heavy door. I spun around and stared at it, feeling a hopelessness in the pit of my stomach.

"Hey now, it's not nearly that bad." I spun around and saw Pete grinning at me from the bed. I hurried over and hugged him tightly. He held me back, continuing too reassure me. "Remember how you always begged mom for breakfast in bed? Well, now you get breakfast and dinner in bed! How cool is that?"

I nodded, just continuing to hold him. It was easy for him to be positive. He wasn't real to anyone but me. He was able to be carefree... Whereas I was part of the real world...

"I'm here." Pete pulled away from me with a reassuring smile. He leaned close to my face and kissed my cheek, leaving a tingling sensation when he pulled his lips away.

"You always are." I nodded, giving him a slight smile.

"And I always will be." He promised, rubbing my arm.

I nodded again, looking down. One of his hands ran up, under my chin and lifted my head. He leaned in close, once again, and leaned his forehead against mine.

"You're tired..." He said. He put his arm around me and pulled me down on my side so that I was laying down beside him. He ran his fingers through my hair before looking me in the eyes. "Rest up, 'Trick... I know you're scared."

"Pete...I just want to know what happened..." I told him quietly. I saw fear in his eye with my words.

"Later, baby boy. You'll know soon..." Pete hushed me. He kissed my lips, creating another tingling sensation. I kissed him back, pushing my lips against his. I moaned just slightly, making Pete's lips curve into a smile. He pulled away and once again ran his fingers through my hair.

"Go to sleep..." He hummed as my eyes drooped.

Pete was somehow good at that... When it came to helping me sleep... When he wasn't encouraging me to stay up and hang out with him or watch something so he wasn't alone.

"I'll be right here..." He whispered as I drifted into dreams.

I was woken up by a loud buzzing sound in my room. I shot up, not entirely sure if I was trapped in a nightmare or reality, and found myself in Pete's protective hold.

"I've gotchya." He said calmly, "Guess that's the the wake up call they told you about." His fingers trailed through my hair and I immediately calmed. I stayed in Pete's arms until a slot in the door opened, pushing in a change of clothes and some food.

Pete let me go and I walked over to the new items. There was some slightly underdone toast and white apparel. I scrunched my nose at the plain clothing. I hated it already.

I sat criss cross and began munching on the toast. It wasn't bad... But it wasn't good either. I only ate about half of the piece before putting it back down on the plate. I instead turned to the new clothes.

"Close your eyes..." I mumbled, grabbing the bottom of the shirt I was currently wearing.

"What, and miss the show?" I heard Pete laugh.

I turned and gave him an irritated look. He just laughed and covered his eyes, obviously peaking through his fingers. I rolled my eyes and turned back around. I changed shirts quickly, then stood to strip my pants. Pete whistled, but I ignored it.

"I feel like a mental patient." I frowned, looking down at my new outfit.

"You are a mental patient." Pete said, jumping up off the bed. He walked over to me and smiled, " Most people in these places aren't crazy anyway. Just misunderstood... Or in need of a bit of help."

"How would you know?" I shot at him, with an unintentionally harsh tone. Pete's smile faltered. I could see something behind his eyes...but I couldn't pinpoint it before he covered it up.

"Guess you're right." He shrugged. He walked back over to the bed and sat down. He pushed himself back against the wall, and stared at the opposite one.

"Pete, I-" I started, but he shook his head.

"s'alright, 'Trick." He shrugged again, "When you go out to lunch, I'll wait here for you..."

I felt a twinge of panic. I wasn't okay... I was afraid of what waited beyond those doors without Pete. He stayed with me so I was sure of at least some things...

"You'll be fine 'Trick." Pete said quietly, "I'll be waiting for you..."

"Please don't make me go alone..." I whispered, barely above a whisper. I inched over to the bed and gave him pleading eyes. Pete looked over at me. He sighed and stood, walking over to me.

"You know I won't." He tugged at my shirt sleeve a bit and smiled sadly. "I'll be there for you..."