Can't I Fit In Anywhere?

Chapter 26: Talking

When I woke up from my sleep, last night came hurtling back at me. She rolled over and groaned into her pillow. Rolling over, she looked at the clock that hung on her wall. For most people, it would be too dark to tell, but for me, I could clearly tell it said 4:32.

I usually sleep real well, since I give my body it's needed sleep, unlike some two guys I know. I don't understand why Matt and Ryan like to stay up late, maybe it's a guy thing? Then again, after Tina and I headed to our dorm, I almost had to knock her out to get her to sleep.

She was pacing back and forth so much in our shared dorm. It was nice to see that Ryan at least had someone that cared about him before we met, but that just worried me more.

I knew nothing of what his past was like.

Nothing about his family, where he lived as he grew up. All the tiny things that make someone who they are, I know nothing about.

Only that he takes some kind of medication that will be here Tuesday, he went to a daycare that all of his friends out of school went to, and he knew someone named Jacob.

The medication thing worried me. Why did he never say anything about needing medication? The more important question was what was it for?

He never said he was in any type of pain, so it couldn't be pain meds; Plus I could just use my Runes to help him. So what was wrong?

I just want to storm to his dorm and interrogate him, but that clearly wouldn't work. Last thing I wanted was to make him more panicked. We all seen what happened just last night. Although I have to admit, that was probably the fastest I've seen him move ever since I knew him, and he's quick.

Hitting my head repeatedly into my bed, I groaned. Why must things be so complicated?

"Would you stop groaning and go to sleep?" A voice spoke from across the room. Tina.

"Sorry." I said sheepishly. "I'm not used to having a roommate."

It was true. The majority of the people going to Life Academy are female. An influx of the female gender came in this year, making ⅔ of the school female, and giving the dorms not enough room for everyone. So, before the school year started, any female got a message from the school, saying if they will have a roommate or not.

Good thing the school needed to be rebuilt mostly, since then the girls got larger dorms to make up for the extra person.

"I hear quite a few people stating that." I heard Tina's voice straight across the room from her, where Tina's bed is located.

"You're not that bad." I teased.

"I can be if you want."

"No thanks."

Silenced enveloped us, until suddenly, Tina asked a question. "Why are you up?"

"I'm just- I'm worried, okay?"

"Ryan?"

It's probably obvious, but I didn't need her to straight up call me out on it. "Judging from your silence, I'm saying yes." I heard shifting of clothing and bedding following the silence. "Tori, sit up."

I followed her instructions. Looking at where Tina should be. A yelp escaped me when she was on my bed, not hers. Tina stared at me, her eyes boring into mine. "Tori, listen to me." She grabbed my hands, and squeezed them. "It's alright to be worried. I am all the time, I just learned to hide it behind other emotions. Sure, we haven't known each other for a long time, but I consider you my friend."

A gave a snort. "Thanks, but how-"

She cut me off. "Tori," Her voice was like steel. "It's clear Ryan likes you, and vice versa." I felt my face heat up.

"I've known the idiot for my whole life." Tina continued. "I remember a quote that goes well with this. 'Hold him gently in your hands. He has been cracked enough as it is, and his heart is more shattered than he lets on.'" The pressure on my hands increased. "Got that? It may seem like Ryan had a good life, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. He trusts you, and that's a hard thing to get from him, believe me. He'll come to you in his own terms, all of you guys. You saw what happens when you try to get stuff out of him, and him running was my own fault." She looked down at the sheets, letting go of my hands.

She ran her hand through her hair, and groaned. "I'm an idiot."

I set a hand on her shoulder. "No you're not. You're a good person Tina. Sure, you're hyper beyond Matt's levels, but you're a kind person, and kindness is often mistaken for softness. That's not true though. Kind people are not born that way, they're forged in fire and darkness. Demons run when a kind person goes to war. From what I can see, you're a force to deal with, and so is Ryan. If your other friends are like that, you guys are an unstoppable force. Don't let anything get in your way, even secrets."

Tina gave a small giggle. "Look at us, being all philosophical."

"Hey, what better time to be it than at-" I looked at the clock. "4:48. We probably should get some sleep."

Tina slid off my bed. "Ya. Hey, Tori?"

I shuffled back underneath my covers. "What?"

"I'm going to talk to Ryan in the morning? Do you want to come?"

I didn't think about it before I spoke. "Sure. Night Tina."

"Night Tori."

---

Hey guys! I hate school, I wanna curl up in a ball and die, but good news! My birthday is Friday! Damn, it feels like I just turned 16...I don't wanna grow up....

Bad news though. I have two oral book reports due, since I never got to do that last one, since I was sick and absent. So, I get to talk in front of the class (which I hate), and due two book reports(which I hate), all on my birthday. Yay!!!!!

Also, sorry this chapter isn't as long as the others, I've just been busy lately.