Happy Pills

Chapter Two: Neil

"Pitter, patter, pitter, patter, pitter, patter.."

Classical music coming from downstairs echoed throughout the house and was driving Neil nuts. The boy had to listen to the song every morning, because it was his mother's favorite. Why hadn't she grown tired of it? He thought that she probably would after at least a week of listening on repeat. But nope, it was week 8, and there seemed to be no end in sight.

"Pitter, patter, pitter, patter, pitter, patter.." Neil ran his hands through his blonde curls as he imitated the sound of rain. It was a habit that soothed his nerves, one that had been present ever since his mother got sick.

The rain always calmed him down, it relaxed him when HP couldn't. And he hated taking HP. The pills made him forget, and he hated forgetting. He had forgotten so many things that were important to him, they just left his memory. Most of them were about his findings on space and the stars, and his mom. Now, all he had left of her was the woman herself, which was good, at least. Even if she likely wouldn't be around for much longer, maybe a few years at the most.

But of course, she remains blind to that fact. He thought, and rubbed his eyes under his large square glasses, causing them to move up a little. He chose to take them off and place them on the nightstand, then took the pillow next to him and placed it over his head to try to drown out the music.

He just wanted to yell at her to turn it off. He wanted to destroy the record. He wanted to kill the person who ever created the piece of artwork. He hated it with a deep kind of hatred. And even though all of these thoughts of hate and bitterness that he had in this moment were banned in Cherrude Pines, no one could stop him from thinking them. They could only stop him from doing them, though it wasn't like he was actually going to. That would be irrational, and he wasn't the kind of person to lash out. Neil kept to himself, mostly. He didn't have many friends, many words, many defining traits or interests.. He liked space, though, and enjoyed learning whenever he got the chance.

The music got louder. Why was the music getting louder?!

He couldn't take it anymore. Neil forced himself up and put his glasses back on, then swung open his bedroom door and stomped down the stairs to find his mother dancing by herself in the living room. She acted as if she were dancing with someone. Oh goodness, was she getting sicker?

Neil stared at his mother from the stairs before she opened her purple eyes and met his golden ones. Her face lit up and she smiled, motioning for him to come over. "Dance with me, Neil." She said cheerfully, and Neil sighed.

"Mum.." He started, shaking his head. He looked away from her.

"Come on, my sweet boy. Just dance with me." She moved over to him and reached up to place a hand on his broad shoulder and the other intertwining with his. "Just for a moment."

Neil couldn't refuse, so he placed his free hand on her lower back and they both moved side to side. He couldn't even look at her without feeling his heart break.

"Darling, you haven't taken your happy pill today." She called him out, and he stuttered for a moment before falling silent.

"You can just call them HP, mum." He told her.

"You really should take your HP, even if you're just at home. I don't know what I would do if you were moved to Boun Pines. That place is just awful."

Neil nodded. "I know, mum." He leaned down slightly and buried his head in her frail, tiny shoulder as they continued to waltz around the room.

"I'm assuming you hate this song, now?" She giggled.

"So much."

"I'm not going to stop playing it. It's the only one I like. Ever since.."