Aftermath • Drarry

023

The higher you build walls around your heart, the harder you fall when someone tears them down - Unknown

***

His name was Zion Xanderson. He had an odd look. During diner he just stared at all of us, without saying a single word. I had no right to judge him knowing that I had not reacted any differently when I had my first diner with the group.

The only movements he made was when he ate, and those movements were subtle and very smooth. The red-haired boy did not look like there was something wrong with him at all, his almost symmetric face and perfect looking hair gave him something unreal. He looked almost perfect.

I knew that were just looks. Over the years I had learnt that there is a lot of difference between the appearance of someone and the way that person actually is. Zion could be a total dick that liked to spit on puppies, but he also could be that type of guy that would cuddle with all puppies from a local shelter as a volunteer. He was hard to read, especially since not a single word had left his lips so far, other than his own name of course.

'So,' I tried to start a conversation with either the raven-haired boy or the black-haired girl that I happened to like. 'Do you think we will ever be allowed to go outside again?'

I had been inside of almost three weeks now and that seemed to drive me crazy. To be honest, I never was someone who spend most time in the outside world. I preferred the safe walls of the house I had grown up in. However, spring had just begun what meant that the weather would become much nicer, a little vitamin D could never hurt anyone.

'When you leave this place,' Lucia spoke before the lips of the boy with the green eyes could even open. 'Really?' I asked, raising my eyebrows at her. 'But the fresh air is a good thing right? It would not harm anyone to go outside for a moment and you know, just be in the open air again.'

'I agree,' the raven-haired boy suddenly said. His green eyes found mine and a smile automatically appeared on my lips. 'It would not hurt to breathe in some fresh air again and to feel the fresh grass.'

'You see,' I pointed out while my eyes left his and found Lucia's. 'I am not the only thing who craves a little bit of freedom.'

Before we could start a discussion the door swung open and Cecilia entered the room with the usual smile lying on her lips. 'Good evening,' she spoke, putting desert on the table. Her eyes soon spotter the new red-haired boy, something that made her smile grow even bigger. 'You must be the new guy!' she shrieked happily. 'My name is Cecilia,' she spoke with patients in her voice, 'how can I call you?'

'Zion,' he said and for the first time we were actually allowed to hear his voice. It was raspy and low and it gave me the creeps. 'Well, welcome Zion. If you ever need anything just ask, okay? We are a close group and I can assure you no one will be judging you.'

He nodded, not willing to speak up again. I could not blame him honestly, my first days I had acted the same way. Until I found out that the others were friendly and kind, until I found out that they indeed would not judge me. Except for Lydia maybe, but her judging me was an act of insecurity.

'Cecilia,' I spoke up before the nurse could leave. 'Do you think that Dr. Dolan will give permission to us when we ask her if we can go outside? I think some fresh air will be good for us, and the sunlight as well.'

She looked at me for a moment with doubt in her eyes before slowly nodding in agreement. 'That is a really good idea my boy,' the nurse spoke with a smile lying on her lips. 'I will ask her as soon as possible. Maybe she will even agree since tomorrow is Friday, we could go outside instead of having a game night. How does that sound?'