I didn't expect to have as much fun as I did with Alex. I expected it to be awkward and hardly enjoyable, but it wasn't. In fact, after those first few minutes of discomfort, I felt more comfortable than I ever have with anyone in a very long time. 

Our conversations seemed to flow out of us, and it was as if we had known each other our entire lives. Of course, there were times when I'd stutter out a reply or be awkwardly silent, but Alex took it in stride. It seems to be a talent of his, making people feel comfortable around him. He has this nurturing quality to him, which draws everyone in.

I think about what happened, lying on my bed with my resting on my folded forearms, staring up at the ceiling. I'm not stupid, I'm not a girl, and I'm certainly not a stupid girl. I know when I have feelings for someone, and I have feelings for Alex. I'm not going to try and get rid of my feelings, and I'm not going to go out of my way to make him feel the same. I'm going to take it in stride and not act on them. At least, that's what I plan on doing. There's no guarantee something won't make that change.

Sitting up in my bed, I decide to get a glass of water for bed. I open my bedroom door in time to hear my mother's close. I sigh. She avoids me constantly. She'd never say it out loud, but she can't stand to look at me.

She blames me for what happened to my dad, and so do I. At least, I think that I should have taken his place. 

Grabbing a glass from the cabinet, I fill it with tap water and take a large swig, savoring the way it quenches my rather dry throat. I've been having trouble sleeping, so, on a whim, I shake two pills into my hand and down them.

I don't know why I try, because the pills haven't really worked in the past. It's not like it could hurt me, though. I don't plan on overdosing or anything, so I just down the rest of my water and head to bed.

Maybe tonight is a good night, because I fall asleep right after my head hits the pillow.

Waking up isn't usually so hard for me. I tend to be a morning person, so I'm up very early in the day. Maybe it's the pills, but I don't even open my eyes until late the next morning. I glance at the clock, seeing that it's nearly noon, and I panic, flying out of bed in a rush.

Every Saturday, I visit children in the hospital and put my fake cheerfulness to use. It's the one thing that makes me feel okay with my constant lies. I know it's cheesy, but it really does make me feel better, seeing those kids smile. It's sort of me trying to make up for what happened to my dad.

Bolting out of the shower, I dress in my usual outfit, gloves included, and rush out of the door without eating anything. I'll just eat some hospital food. I leap onto my hover board and take off down the sidewalk, passing people by in hazy blue blur.

Thankfully, the hospital is only a few blocks away from my house. That's actually how I found it. I was exploring the town one day and stumbled upon it. 

It was like having an epiphany of some sort.

Pulling to a stop in front of the hospital, I lower myself to the ground and shut off the board, strutting inside. I've been coming here often enough for the nurses and security guards to know who I am.

"Hi, Phil," I say, passing one of the guards with a pat on his back. He rolls his green eyes but smirks at me. He's more of the strong and silent type, but  he will smile every once in a while.

A few nurses smile at me, and those that are aware of my condition ask me how I'm doing. I tell those few the truth, feeling some small relief when I do. It's sad. I feel more at home at the hospital than I do at my house. I pass by Mabel with a polite smile. Her wispy smoke-colored hair is done up in a loose bun as she pushes a small cart of medicine along. After helping Conrad when he was kidnapped, she switched to working at the hospital, something about it being less life-threatening.

I step into a room that is practically overwhelming in all of its color. Not to mention, the noise is almost deafening.

"Austin!" a little voice shouts excitedly, sending the rest of the room into a chaotic mess as tiny bodies gather around me.

"Sup, guys," I greet with a smile, picking up Emily, a small brunette with her hair in curly pigtails.

"Austin, read to us!" Zachary shouts, holding up a fairy tale book. I smile as sweetly as possible and take the book from him.

"What story do you guys want to hear?" The kids go quiet, muttering among themselves and trying to decide.

I feel someone tug on my sleeve, making me look down to see someone new. It's a small girl with bright red hair and light brown eyes. She bites her lip and clutches at the edge of her dress, and that's when I notice it. Poking out from the bottom of her dress, is a shiny, small, and metal robotic leg.

"Can you read The Ugly Duckling?" She asks with a small, shy voice. My heart goes out to her, so I hold out a hand to her, which she shakes with uncertainty.

"Sure thing, sweetheart," I tell her with an encouraging smile, making a toothy smile break out onto her own face.

She plops down in the front row, obviously eager to hear the story. All of the kids sit down right afterwards. With a smile, I open the book to the right page and begin reading. As I read, I make small commentary, successfully making some of the kids giggle quietly. The story passes by rather quickly, much to the disappointment of the children, and it ends just in time for nurse Sadie to come in and announce that it's lunch time.

They all rush away, looking decidedly happier than they were, probably loving the happy ending of the story. The little redhead stays, though, making me look at her curiously. She looks down at the metal leg attached to her with a sad and defeated expression.

"Hey, sweetie, it's lunch time," I say, crouching beside her.

"Mr. Austin," she says in a tiny voice, "I don't wanna join the others."

"Why not?"

She sniffles sadly. "Because I'm a freak." She glares down at the leg with a surprising amount of anger and sadness.

I give her a sad smile and ruffle her hair. "Being a freak isn't as bad as it seems," I tell her, lowering myself into a sitting position.

"How would you know?"

I sigh and glance around, making sure no one else is looking, and I tug the glove off of my right hand. I hold it out to her, making her gasp in surprise. She looks up to me in shock as I wiggle my metallic fingers at her.

"Why do you cover it up?" she asks with an accusing smile, making me smile bitterly.

"Because," I say, staring at my own hand. "The reason I have it, isn't a good reason." I look back to her to see her looking at me with awe.

"Well, I think it suits you," she says in that matter-of-fact tone only kids can do.

I grin at her. "And I think you look like a warrior princess," I return, tugging my glove back on as a smile grows on her face, her cheeks pinking.

"Thanks, Mr. Austin," she says, pecking my cheek before running to join the other children for food.

I sigh a little, relaxing and standing up. That's the first time I've ever shown anyone it willingly. It's also not just  my hand. My entire right arm is made of metal, going into my shoulder where it meets my skin. I'm just some broken person, and that's why I hide it. Not to mention, the memories behind it are much too painful for me to handle.

At least, something good came from it, but that'll never change what happened. I sigh again and leave the room, passing by Mabel, who gives me a sympathetic smile. I strut out the doors after saying my goodbyes and flip up the hood of my jacket. I get on my hover board right as it starts to drizzle.

Oh God.

There's a storm coming.

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Hey my little nuggety readers! I hope y'all enjoyed this chapter! Don't forget to comment and such, and feel free to leave your suggestions! I love hearing what y'all come up with! Anyway, I'll see y'all nuggets in the next update! Have an absolutely fantabulous day! Bai!!! >:3

-IggyScones