Greeting Insanity

chapter seventeen

   

Emma and Jason were told they had to enter one at a time, "for the sake of the patient." Emma turned to Jason, not speaking. Neither spoke a word, a simple nod exchanged, Emma entered first. The heavy door shut swiftly behind her, a clicking could be heard. She knew of the two-way mirror, but they could stand in the room alone. She was promised complete privacy with Reyna. The music had long since stopped, Reyna laying on the floor, staring at the swirling ceiling. Without a word, Emma laid beside her, taking in the beauty.

"Who painted it?" She could feel Reyna's gaze shift to her, but Emma continued to admire the crafted artwork.

"I did."

"Oh." Silence fell. Reyna hadn't told Emma she could paint, but then again, what had she told her?

"People call me insane. I stay at the HTA. Be my friend?" The conversation seemed ridiculous now. It was ridiculous then! Emma moved her head, still avoiding Reyna's burning eyes.

"Who did the walls?"

"Me."

"They are beautiful." It was true. The walls had sprinkles and waves of paint. Splatters and monsoons.

"It's part of my illness. Whenever I feel negatively toward my surroundings I scream. The paint helps."

"Painting is a good stress reliever."

"I throw it." She turned. Their stares met. Reyna had a waved piece of hair in front of her big brown eyes. Emma had a thick piece of black hair behind her ear.

"You know I care about you? Right? You know that?" It rambled out. Reyna nodded.

"I know, I can see it." Emma nodded too, a rapid movement. She could see it.

"Do you care about me?" Emma glared at the gulp that plunged deeper in Reyna's throat. Reyna's gaze left her own, returning to the ceiling.

"I don't need anyone. I have my own family. I don't need anyone. I have my own family." As she repeated the words, her voice turned into a murmur, a self-motivator.

"Reyna?"

"I don't need anyone."

"Rey- "

"I have my own family!" Reyna was yelling now. The words ringing in Emma's ears, their proximity defeating her eardrums. A guard entered through the dark wood door, Reyna's eyes filling with relief.

"Reyn- "

"Leave please." Emma looked ready to rebel but the guard followed Reyna's wishes, escorting Emma away.

Jason entered next. Reyna examined him similarly to how he evaluated her. Her hardened glare meeting his soft gaze. A flare of fire met with a breath of fresh cool air.

"Hi." He spoke so soft, he was sure she hadn't heard, but the smile tugging on her lips said differently.

"Why are you here, Jason?" His atmosphere contorted, the admiration wiped from his face.

"What?" In that moment, Reyna was thinking of the many things she could specify on. The upmost thought being her much broader vocabulary.

"Why did you come? I know it was Emma's idea but, why?" He took a step, finally entering the room fully, shutting the door behind him. When he stood in the hall, he remembered the guards all turning their backs to the window, hiding their scavenging eyes. Standing directly in front of her, his voice lowered to a whisper.

"I came because I was worried." Reyna could tell by his velvety voice full of emotion, that he hadn't heard her yelling at Emma. It was for the best. He took her small, pale hands into his calloused ones.

"I want to take you somewhere." Reyna opened her mouth to object, but he cut in.

"At night, you've never been out of here at night. I want to take you to an art gala." Reyna's protests faltered, her mouth hanging open.

"An art gala?"

"You would love it." Reyna sighed a loud sound.

"I can't go out past five." There it was, the practical side, the one slowly losing to a carefree, experience thriving part of her.

"Is there any lock on your door at night?" Reyna slowly shook her head. Jason grinned.

"Just leave, you know how to get out. It's up to you, Reyna, but looking at all of this," He gazed upward toward the swirling ceiling, "I know you must see it. A real art gala."

"Fine." Another sigh, but this time, with a large smile. Jason returned the grin, his lips stretching to his cheeks.

"Perfect. I'll see you tomorrow night." With that, he was gone. A ghost of his figure still smiling down at Reyna. She could feel herself blush, the red taking over her face and neck. Reyna knew hours later, when she went to the cafeteria for dinner, that her dispute with Emma wouldn't heal. She didn't desire a healed battle, she didn't care. She didn't need her. She had her own family.