we're all mad here | b.u & d.w

3. receptionist

"Brendon, we're nearly here look," mum says, taping me on my trembling leg grabbing my attention.
I look out the window to see miles and miles of green field, little cottages and corner shops. We approach a largeish cottage with what look like two floors and a loft conversion. Dad parks the car and tells us to get out.
I climb out, grabbing my bags with me.
"Wow," I gasp, looking around.

Mum and dad lead me to a reception area.
A little woman, who looks like she's in her late 50's, is sitting at the desk reading some documents.

"Hello," she smiles brightly as we slowly approach her desk.
"Hey, this is Brendon Urie. This is his first day," mum says to her,
"Brendon Urie, yes we've been expecting you to come along. Okay parents, all we need you to do is sign a form, say goodbye and take a leaflet explaining some stuff," she smiles, grabbing a leaflet, form and pen and handing them to my parents. They quickly sign it and hand it to the receptionist again.

"Oh Brendon, bye honey. Get better soon," mum says, giving me a lifeless hug.
"Bye son," dad says vaguely,
and with that they both left me.
I turn to the receptionist who smiles at me, trying to comfort me.

"Okay sweetie, we need to give you a talk about the rules and your condition then a tour then you've gotta sign something," the receptionist says, still smiling. I just nod.
"I'll take you to the office," she says, she approaches me and offers to take one of my bags.
She leads me to the nearest room, it's slightly smaller than the reception area but it seems cozy. In it is a puffy white sofa, which we both sit on, a little desk and the walls are painted an off-white colour.

"Okay sweetie, first things first. Hi, I'm Hilda and I'm going to be your 'care.' You come to me if you need anything and I give you check-ups every morning," she smiles, I smile back and avoid eye contact.
"So Brendon. I need to know about your conditions, is it correct that you have ADHD, Anxiety, Schizophrenia and Severe Depression?" Hilda asks, I nod,
"Great, right Brendon," she laughs.
"It says here you've self harmed a few times. One so bad you spent a few weeks in hospital."
I hang my head low and nod.
"You're much of a talker are you?" Hilda laughs,
"What am I meant to talk about?" I ask sarcastically.
"Anything you want to," she smiles.
"Anyway, seeing that you have a self harm past we will check you everyday for razors. You know, just in case," she says, I nod.

"Now the rules. You are aloud in your room, in another patients' rooms with permission and they have to be aloud guests, you're aloud to wander around the cottage but you're not allowed in the staff only areas, and you are aloud in the gardens.
Another rule is not to go into another patient's room if there is a cross on their door, this usually mean they're having a breakdown, having a check-up or is on intense suicide watch.
Then you've got to basic; take your medication given to you, don't sneak out, stay in your room at night unless told otherwise."

I nod and she smiles,
"Alright, I'm going to take you to your room." We head out the room, I follow her up two flights of stairs to reveal a massive floor.

I presume that this is the floor with all the bedrooms on. From what I can see there is only five rooms.

"So Brendon, I'm gonna let you get cozy and settled I. Ashley will be with you in about half an hour and give you a proper tour and introduce you to everyone etc," Hilda smiles leading me to a door at the end of the hall,
"Is this my room?" I ask, Hilda nods, walking back down the stairs leaving me to go in.

I slowly open the door, I peer my head into the room. The room was slightly small but feels very cozy, in it is a small desk next to it is a wardrobe, opposite on the wall was a shelf. At the end of the room was the bed which lays under the window.
I place my bags on the bed and start to unpack. I first unpack my clothes and hang them up, I then place my books and little memorabilia on the shelves. I stare at the empty bag, in the other one is my guitar and pictures of my friends and I. I place the guitar on the bed and tape the photo on my wall above my bed. I sigh, throwing myself on the bed, placing the guitar softly and quietly playing.