Greeting Insanity

chapter seven

 

"Oh, what a day to be alive." Emma stated coldly. Her usually sassy attitude was amplified greatly that evening, the cool weather dampening her mood as well as the cement sidewalk.

"Don't say that with such distaste, Em." Reyna scolded lightly, an amused smile overtaking her features. The duo sat with Jason under a large willow. They were near the HTA, the patch of trees that circled the building, but Reyna didn't plan on revealing the information. In truth, Reyna despised the rain just as much, probably more, than her dark-haired friend. The wet atmosphere that simply masked everything around her, darkened the everlasting elimination of the sun's rays, the cold. Oh, the cold. It was simply unnatural. Jason, unlike the others, loved the rain. The world's way of washing everything in sight, creating a new, better, start to the day.

"It's beautiful. You just have to look for it." Reyna looked to Jason, seeing his unruly hair in a new light, his forest eyes suddenly holding the creatures deep within, not just the color. His spirit was passionate about something and it felt poetic for Reyna to witness. A gut wrenching feeling twisted around in her stomach, her mind protesting the positive thought she discovered. Emma rolled her grey eyes, and stood.

"Yeah, okay Jason. I'm going to walk. Coming Reyna?"

"Um, no. I think I'm going to stay here. With Jason." Emma sent Reyna an amused look, seeming as though she could read her mixed mind. As Emma's figure grew smaller, Reyna turned to Jason with wide eyes.

"Tell me more. About the rain, I mean." Jason cleared his throat, the close proximity that Reyna seemed to not notice, was clearly frazzling the poor boy.

"Erm, well, its just beautiful. How the droplets can fall in tiny spurts of in large, crashing waves, both washing the Earth of it's uncertainties, freeing it of its pain." Reyna couldn't help it. No, matter how much her brain told her no, no matter the deep revulsion she felt afterward, she did it anyway. She kissed him. Jason, eyes wide, mouth frozen, cheeks flushed, blinked rapidly. He kept trying to re taste the sour fragrance of apple on her lips. Kept trying to pull back the sensation of her chapped mouth on his, no doubt, also chapped one. No matter, he couldn't bring it back, couldn't even remember how good it was, because, she was gone before he could think. Within the beat of a heart, Reyna leapt from her seating place, and dashed from under the willow. Down the hills, through the trees, into the darkness she went, until she found her "home." The HTA would always be there for her when she returned.

CHAPTER SEVEN:

The following morning, Reyna woke with the familiar urge for caffeine. With a wide smile, the blonde leaped from her bland bed spread and into action. After dressing appropriately, she traveled out the room and into the hall. As she expected, Henry was already awake and reading in the common area. The two exchanged smiles, and a nod. Henry jumped from his spot on the white sofa, and to Reyna's side.

"What's the plan, Reyna?" Henry questioned, skipping excitedly, his British accent ringing merrily.

"We, are going out." A large smile played on her features, brightening the atmosphere considerably. Henry looked at the blonde with wide eyes and a matching attitude.

"Really?!" Reyna only giggled in response, nodding to the guards that waited to open the large metal door, of the Mental Institute. Following the older girl, Henry continued to question where the two were headed. Only once they had reached the entrance of the Home, did Henry finally silence himself. Letting a content sigh escape her lips, Reyna pulled open the door, letting Henry in first. The familiar scents of chocolate and cinnamon attacked Reyna's senses, filling her with happiness. The new sensations filtered through Henry, leaving the boy to sigh in pleasure. Strutting to the counter, was a habitual action to Reyna, the ease of it giving her a sense of gratification. The line to the order station, was limited, only a two-minute wait. After the two minutes, Reyna looked to the counter, her smile slipping slightly, but not fully. At the check in register, stood Jason, Emma no where in sight. Assisting Jason, was a heavy-set man, who looked to be in his early forties. Poor Henry was massaging his temples a little rougher than needed, an ear-splitting headache taking over the young boy. Taking hold of Henry's arm, Reyna was too excited with the promise of caffeine to notice the small boy's yelp of surprise pain. No, not pain, more like weakness. Henry felt more tired now, after the minimal walk, than he had felt in a very long time. He was a young boy, after all, his stamina usually never ending. Shaking the unusual fatigue off, Henry took his new surroundings in stride.

"Reyna!" Jason exclaimed in shock. He didn't dare admit it to himself, nor Emma, but he had been thinking increasingly about the brown eyed girl, questions buzzing. Reyna giggled a merry sound, a shy smile plastered on her pale features. Looking up through her eyelashes, she met the young man's gaze. Henry raised his eyebrows at the exchange, a bemused smirk on his premature features.

"Hello, Jason." Reyna offered quietly.

"Hi!" Henry shouted, waving a tanned hand in a giddy fashion. His fatigue increasing with the action. Jason glanced toward the British boy, his eyebrows raising as well. He cleared his throat.

"Who's this?" He looked to Reyna again, not because he expected her to answer for the boy, instead, he wanted to study her features a bit longer. Reyna looked down to her right, where Henry stood, the two exchanging smiles.

"Jason, this is Henry. Henry, this is Jason. He's a friend of mine." Reyna told the small boy.

"Friend." Henry coughed, so lightly Reyna didn't seem to hear. He was sure if she did, he would have earned a smack on the head, not that he thought he could handle the pain. Not much conversation followed, just an awkward ordering of a medium Liquid Bean and a water for Henry. He didn't tell Reyna that he couldn't fathom having anything else, his body felt ready to drop. Reyna could feel Jason's gaze from where the duo sat by the window, but chose to engage in a conversation with Henry. However, he put little effort into speaking, his eyes twitching and his body constantly shifting.