A White Room

Chapter 3

The next few visits went the same. Chris would show up, and him and Chandler would sit together and talk about everything and anything.

Chris was walking up to the room, just like every other day. He entered Chandler's room and was met with a surprise. Chandler didn't have a straight jacket on anymore.

"Hey Chris!" Chandler smiled.

"Hey Chan. Where's your jacket of hugs?" Chris asked, Chandler chuckled at the word choice.

"I don't have to wear it when you visit from now on. I guess they trust you and me."

Chris couldn't help the huge smile that fell on his face, how could Chandler make him smile so much? "That's great Chan." It was now clear that Chandler was very tan. However over time his arms ended up not as tan, maybe due to lack of sunlight.

"Honestly the oddest part is my arms feel so weird not being held up that way," Chandler said, wrapping his arms around his chest. Almost as if his straight jacket was still on.

"I can only imagine," Chris said, chuckling lightly. He could tell that Chandler will now have a position that's comfortable for him.

Chandler paused for a moment before rushing over and hugging Chris. Chris was surprised at first but then hugged him back. "I've wanted to do that since your second visit," Chandler mumbled into Chris' hair. Chris never realized how much taller than him Chandler was.

Chandler was tall enough to rest his own head on top of Chris'. It made Chris feel so small, but he didn't really mind. "You're so small Chris."

"No I'm not."

"Yea. You are Chris. You're like what 6 foot?"

"I am 6 foot 3 thank you very much Chandler," Chris said, letting go of Chandler.

"Oh, I'm sorry. You're only slightly short," Chandler said, wrapping his arms back around himself. Teasing Chris like this was fun. It made him feel like he has friends. And that's a feeling he hasn't felt since being put in here.

"You're an ass Chan."

"I know," Chandler ended up smiling as the words left his mouth, "but you keep coming back so you clearly don't mind Chris."

Chris chuckled and smirked, "Clearly I don't Chan."

Chandler had nothing to reply, so he settled for hugging Chris close again. Chris rolled his eyes and hugged Chandler tightly. And they stayed just like that. Almost frozen together in a hug.

It took them a few minutes to realize they were holding each other and they separated quickly. Chandler clearing his throat softly and rubbing the back of his neck some. "Sorry."

"Nah. It's okay Chan. I truely don't mind."

"Alright Chris."

The two sat and talked. The slight awkwardness of holding each other like that was quickly forgotten. Shortly the day came to an end. Chris gave Chandler another hug.

"Hey, keep behaving, yea?" Chris said, looking at Chandler.

"Maybe. I do enjoy the hugs so I just might have to keep behaving."

"Good. See you soon Chandler." Then Chris left. Walking out of the facility. At this point, many of the workers knew him. He got many byes and see you soons as he walks out, he gave small smiles and nods to each person.

Outside it was gloomy, Chris suspected rain soon. Grey clouds rolled in over the sky, and the air felt heavy with humidity. However, unlike all the other people walking down the streets, Chris wasn't gloomy. He always enjoyed the darker weather. It had a calming sense about it.

Chris walked home. It was only a 20 minute walk or so from the Mental Hospital to his apartment so he didn't mind. He walked into his house to find a quiet and serene room. He laid down to take a nap. 

Meanwhile, back at the mental hospital, Chandler was laying on the floor just thinking about his day. He jumped when he heard a knock on his door. The door opened, and Jimmy stood there. 

"Hey Chan-Chan. Where's your jacket?" Jimmy asked, surprised to see Chandler with free arms, surprised to see an indication that Chandler was getting better.

Chandler jumped up and walked over to Jimmy, "They took it off yesturday since I've been behaving and my health has been improving."

Jimmy hugged Chandler, he was so happy that his best friend was getting healthier, but one question probed his mind, "Why the suddon improvement?"

"I've had a friend visiting about every other day or so."

"Really? Who?"

"His name is Chris. He actively enjoys my company, and I enjoy his," Chandler replied, he was sure Chris wouldn't mind if Chan told Jimmy about him, "He actually just left a few minutes ago."

"What does he look like?"

"Why all the questions?" Chandler snapped towards Jimmy, usually Jimmy doesn't ask this many personal questions about a person, it panicked Chandler. 

"Woah, Woah, chill Chan. I just wanna know about him since you obviously care about him," Jimmy said while holding up his hands like a surrender. 

"Oh...sorry for snapping at you Jimmy."

"Its alright Chandler. You really care about this guy though, huh?"

"Yeah. He's the first person to have visited me since you stopped sending people."

"You're not mad at me for that are you Chan? I was just concerned you'd get lonely, or that you would completely lose it and I didn't want that to happen to you," Jimmy calmly stated, looking up some at his friend. 

Chandler paused for a moment, he hadn't thought about that, Jimmy did really care about him. "No Jim. I'm not mad, as long as you never do it again."

Jimmy let out a sigh, "Okay Chan. I won't send any more people in. When do you think this Chris guy will visit next?" 

"Probably friday, why?"

"Would it be okay if I came by at the same time to meet him?" 

Chandler looked at Jimmy, and smiled widely, "Yes! I'd love for you two to meet."

Jimmy chuckled, "Okay, friday then."