Seeing Ryan smile at almost everything I said, made me happy. He was finally warming up to me. At first, I was a little nervous being around him, due to what I've heard about his past with his incidents involving the other children. But I kept my cool and have tried not to trigger anything. Which all in all, I think I'm doing a pretty good job with it. It actually seems like he's calmer around me than anyone else. Why me? Why a random teenager that he met only a little over a month ago? Whatever it is, is beyond me. He definitly seems to have some trust issues with people. And I'm trying not to set anything off in his mind that would make him hate me.

Ryan seemed to be enjoying himself on the walk. I'm so happy to be seeing him interact with things around him, instead of just sitting on his bed with his knees to his chest. He had told me that his thoughts were starting to control him. I want to help him. I really do. But I think it's better to let him figure things out on his own. Whether he likes it or not.

Just then, Ryan starts talking to himself. I couldn't quite make out anything. But that was until he started talking louder, as if he were talking to me. His eyes stayed glued to the ground. He was saying how no one would trust him if he went on a walk by himself, in case he had one of his breakdowns. And how he didn't know if he'd be able to find his way back. That's understandable. I mean, I'd be worried if he didn't make it back. "Well I know the way back. I've got you if something happens." Ryan shot his head up and looked at me. His eyes were wide and his cheeks turned a pale pink. He obviously didn't think I had hear him.

"Well..uh, thanks." He quickly turns away and rubs the back of his neck.

I laugh at him. The way he walks, the way he talks, the way he shows himself to the world not caring about what he looks like. But still complains about it when no one can hear him. I've grown to love everything about him, as if I was his older brother.

"I...I don't know how to react to that." He laughs awkwardly, trying to avoid my eyes.

"Just take it as a good thing. I'll be here for you if something happens." I say in return to his awkwardness. It felt like I've known this kid far longer than just about two months. It was like he was my actual brother.

Ryan looks back up at me. I shake my head at him and chuckle. "You're so shy and quite. We need to fix that, dude. You're now friends with the amazing trouble maker!" He just looked down at the ground and then back up at me. I need to make him smile. So, I make my first attempt at doing a seductive face. But I can't hold in my laughter as I say, "With the one and only sexy Brent." I even wiggled my pierced eyebrow for good measure. And my plan worked. My actions sent both of us into hysterics. The few other people in the park looked our way and gave us dirty looks. I felt like shouting over at them to mind their own business. But we were laughing pretty loud.

It took us a few minutes to catch our breath. But I saw Ryan look in my direction and say something that sounded like "I needed that." His smile slowly faded as his laughter died down.

"I'm glad you agree." I was finally able to make him laugh about things. I wonder how long it had been for him. TO smile and actually have a good time. I mean he's shut everyone out almost all his life after his mother died. So he doesn't know what it feels like.

I sit down on the park bench that was to my right, and tap the seat next to me. Ryan listens to me and sits down by my side, but doesn't say anything. "Come on, dude!" I nudge his arm once more and scoot closer to him. "Better out the fresh air, huh?" I kept smiling.

"Yeah, I guess." He hangs his head and shifts awkwardly. "I'm not much of an outdoors kind of person." I roll my eyes and laugh a little. He turns back towards me, but avoids my gaze.

"Ryan," I grab his chin and make him look me in the eyes. "That's because you've been cooped up in that hell hole of a place for too long! It was time for you to get out and see something other than those disgusting grey walls all the time." I give him a sympathetic smile.

"You make a good point." He smiles back.

"I have an idea." I let go of his jaw and adjust myself so I was facing him more. "Maybe speaking your mind will help to clear your thoughts. You know, instead of keeping them to yourself. It may help you a bit if you talk about it." I could see the wheels turning in his head.

"Alright." He said and looked over at me. His smile struck something inside. It was a good feeling.

"Okay, hold on." I then adjust myself so my head was resting on the bench. As soon as I did that, Ryan started to talk about everything going through his mind. About the thoughts of his past, of his breakdowns, and especially of the circus. I need to get tickets or something for him. That may help a little better. Possibly? It may be worth a shot.

A few minutes pasts and I found myself with my eyes closed and my hands crossed over my stomach. My feet were hanging off the edge of the bench also.  "And...Oh, you're asleep." I kept my eyes closed, hoping that he'd keep talking. "Well, I guess that this is the perfect time to say this then, since you can't hear me. Ever since we met, you had caught my attention. For some strange reason. I never cared about anyone or anything all of these years. But when you moved into my room with me, it felt like I might actually have someone to relate to me in some way. And I know is only been about two months, but...I don't know. It feels like you're the brother I never had." He sighed. But his talking didn't continue.

"I'm not asleep." My eyes remained closed as a smile spread across my face.

"Oh..." Ryan sighed again. "Well uh, this is awkward then. I'm sorry." I open my eyes and quickly get into a sitting position on the bench.

"No it's not." I chuckle. "Cause I feel the same way actually. You sure we aren't long lost brothers or something?" This got Ryan to laugh once again. Two points for Brent. "It could potentially be true. Ya never know."

"Yeah, because we totally look alike." Ryan rolls his eyes and stands up. "We better go, it's getting dark. Julie will have a fit if we're not back soon."

"Lead the way." I stand up and follow him as he starts walking back to the home.