Sanitorium (Roman Reigns Story)

Chapter 4: Strange

I throw the paper in the trash and rub my cheek. So, what happened last night? Did we have that nice conversation? Did we.. kiss? I really need to find this out.

After Im showered and dressed I decide that I need to go to the library again to finish filling out applications. I grab a bagel from the fridge. Mom is gone already. I wonder if she saw Roman. Wait.. did he even come over? Or was that a dream? I really hate realistic dreams..

As I walk through the threshold of the library I feel the energy drained from me. This place is depressing. Everything is white, uniform, cold, dead. I usually love going to the library. Not here. I pick a computer all the way in the back this time. I will fill out every application I can since I have nothing else to do all day. I scan the room, hoping I can find Roman, but he's not here. But he said he was off? Maybe that was a dream too... I roll my eyes and sign into the computer. I start googling places that are hiring nearby and fill out the applications as quickly and truthfully as possible. It's hard to believe that I even qualify for any of these jobs. The noise telling me that I have fifteen minutes left comes on and I finish up my application, logging myself out, shivering. It gets so cold in here. I look over at the shelves in the side containing the endless amount of books. I need some books. I observe the signs explaining which sections are which. Drama. Sci-Fi. Horror. Mystery. Romance. I go into the drama section. I skim through some interesting titles until I find one that looks too good to not get. Stolen. I read the summary and nod. This is the one. I go to the counter and check it out, deciding that I will take a break from applications and read for a little while. I take my book and walk through the streets, past the plaza where Roman works, past all of the schools surrounding the stores, past all of the busy streets. Im sure I remember this path, I took it not too long ago. I smile as I am coming up to the park. The greenery reminds me of home and peace. I walk through the park slowly. I take off my shoes and walk deeper into the grass with just my socks on, feeling the natural carpet under me, smelling the fresh air. I take a deep breath and sit indian style in the middle of the park. I open my book and begin at page one. I feel a warm breeze often, reminding me that there is still life in this city of drones. As I am sucked into the story I happen to notice that no one has walked past me. I look at my watch.

Three hours.

Ive been sitting here for three hours and no one has walked past me yet. Unbelievable. No one wants to relax? The only way people around here know how to relax is to pay someone to rub them all over and that to me is ridiculous. For the first time since Ive been here my mind is focused, I am serene, and I can just live in the moment. I will have to visit this place more often. I am too relaxed to go back to that cold library and sit for another two hours trying to fill out these long applications. I will pick up some food and go home. I make my way through the park and find a nice restaurant that makes wraps and salads. I will pick up a salad for Mom. I buy the wrap and salad and walk to my house. Some guys start whistling at me like my boobs are hanging out or something. I put my head down and walk faster, hoping they dont follow me. I get to the front door and they havent followed me. Good. I stare at the door that leads to the downstairs unit and grab the doorknob. Locked. I get an eerie feeling about the neighbors, but I push that away, thinking there is a logical reason why we havent seen them yet. 

I walk into the house and Mom isnt here yet. I put her salad in the fridge and sit in her recliner, eating my chicken wrap. I was so hungry. I flip on the t.v. and watch Law and Order: SVU. It's pretty much my go to show when I have nothing else to do. I wonder if Roman had to work today. If only I had his number... It really wouldnt matter because Im not about to call him and ask him if he really came over and if we really kissed so... whatever.

Mom walks through the door looking beat.

"Welcome home! How was work?" I say smiling.

She shakes her head. "Im exhausted. Up."