^^ Pat ^^

Hearing faint noises near by, my brain tries to comprehend where I must be. I'm warm which is the first thing that makes me question exactly where my location, as well laying on something really soft compared the the sleeping bag I normally used. Yesterday's events still a little fuzzy.

Finally opening my eyes to be greeted by a small sized room painted cream that had another bed on the opposite wall, a set of side drawers and tallboys next to each other.

The voices start again just outside the door after being silent for only moments. Deciding as nice as this bed is I'm hungry beyond belief and I really should try to fix that immediately, so I sadly pull the covers bracing myself for coldness that never came.

As I get up and stretch my aching limbs, I walk over to the door before slowly cracking it open. In the joint lounge room and kitchen area was Rachel with the three guys from yesterday.

"Hey Aria. How are you feeling?" Rachel asks, concern evident in her voice.

"I'm okay. What err... What happened?" I ask feeling kind of scared that I was some where I didn't know. I liked to always be aware of my surroundings and right now I really wasn't.

"Well the doc said you passed out from a mixture of being over whelmed, exhausted and hungry. She basically said you need to rest and eat today, but don't forget to take your medicine for pain too." Rachel tells me with a warm smile.

"It's way passed breakfast so we figured you could join us for lunch." Eddy says with a warm smile that really suits the giant man.

"Umm. Sure that sounds perfect. I'll just grab some Nurofen first." I say before quickly going to the room I woke up in.

As I walk over to the bed, yesterday floods back into my mind and I can't help but feel overwhelmed by it all. From having the first day in a while that I had literally no food in my stomach, to getting the shit kicked out of me because I tried to play hero to someone else. Not to mention the all out low I was feeling for so much of it. 

I've never looked out for others before. 

Why on earth did I decide to this time?

Did I really get a spot at the shelter? That had to be a dream, I've wanted a bed there for longer than I can remember!

A gentle knock breaks my flooding thoughts as the door slowly pries open and Pat walks in before closing it behind him. He seems to stare at me for a moment before walking over to where I'm sitting on the floor next to the bed.

"I know It's kind of over whelming when you first come here, but just try to take it a step at a time." He whispers as he slides down to sit with me, keep a small bit of space between us. 

"How long have you been here?" I ask trying to distract myself from everything flowing through my over loaded mind. 

"About 10 months." He says with a faint smile on his face. "Actually, I barely left my bed when I first arrived." He says with a faint smile on his lips.

"How come? If you don't mind me asking." I ask with a small voice, feeling like it may be too personal.

"Well, I was brought in by police you see, they found me during a raid. The lead police officer thought this place would be best considering my age. So weekly sessions with the therapist as well as doing this program so I can complete high school here, and I'm practically a semi functional person almost." He tells me with a weak smile on his face at the end. 

"How old are you anyway?" I ask, hoping to keep us talking without getting him upset.

"17, I'll be 18 in a few months and hopefully I can move out of here." He tells me  with a genuine smile on his lips, even if it was small.

"Well, I think you're very functional as far as human beings go. Not to be rude, but why wouldn't they have sent you to an orphanage or a foster family?" 

"I didn't talk and apparently was erratic too. The doc here recommended me to stay here so I can be around people who could help me properly. I don't think I would have been who I am today If I was thrown into foster care or around other kids with no where to go." He says with a grim look on his face, that honestly worried me. 

"Then I'm glad you were placed here and have grown into yourself." I smile at him as my mind tries to run rampant the moment the conversation stops.

"How long have you been on the streets for?" He asks after a few minutes of silence. "I mean, I was on them a couple years but I know you're older than me too. How old are you by the way?" He rambles as his first question sink in.

"It's okay Pat, I'm 28. Have been on the streets since I finished high school. My family were horrible people and the moment I completed high school and turned 18, I high tailed it out of there. As bad as the streets are, home was worse." I decide to tell him, a shiver running down my spine at the thought of my old house. 

Memories threaten to invade my mind and I try to think of anything that can distract me from them. Of course my first choice wasn't to become friends with total strangers so I could walk their dogs and hopefully eat daily or to sleep out in the elements, but I had no friends in school and no family I could turn to. 

I'm taken from my rapid thoughts when I feel a small hand on mine. Looking over to see Pat smiling at me knowingly, I squeeze his hand too. There is so much more to our stories than we've said but the one thing that's clear is we both have history that's broken us in some way and want to be there for one another.

"Come on kiddo, let's go get some food." I say as I pull him up with me. He nods before following closely behind me.

After everyone checks they have anything that's needed, I'm guessing like phones and what not, we go down stairs to get lunch. We head over the where what I'm guess is a big dining room that has a few other people in it already. Rachel explains that on the ground floor there is the lounge area with computers, reception, kitchen and dining area. 

She tells me that if you are living here, you work to help run the place. If you have schooling or a job, you hand in a time table to organise chores around it. Until you're working or doing schooling, you were to do a full work day around the place but that some of that time was also aimed to assist you with things such as therapy or seeking employment. 

While she was waffling on about how this place works, I was eating fruit and a Vegemite and cheese sandwich. It felt amazing to eat something fresh and knowing that I could get more if I was still hungry was an over whelming feeling I could hide.

"So, I don't know if Pat got a chance to tell you but here our rooms aren't based on gender. If a bed is free, It's offered to who ever needs it. So we run police checks on people who are wanting to stay here, if you have a warrant for your arrest then you get turned in. We obviously prefer people not to have records but we also know that some things can't be helped. So you will only be declined if your record shows violent behavior, such as murder and rape etc." She finishes, taking in a big breath. 

"So would assault be one of the records that could get me kicked out of here?" I ask timidly, fearing that this has all be a short term dream.

"Well, you have to see the doc and therapist in a couple of hours. They will look at it and decide based on how your talk goes. Assault is one that is based on the person, it can be vary based on the situation." She answers for me, trying to smile and keep me positive.

"Okay, cool." I mumble, not really sure what to do next.

"So, you are currently sitting with your new room mates. You've already met but could you guys maybe introduce yourselves, now that you're in better circumstances." She asks with a friendly smile. 

Pat smiles at me first, his dark brown eyes light up a bit as he tucks a piece of his longish brown hair behind his ear. "Hey Aria, I'm Pat. 17 years old, been here for 10 months and completing high school online." He says a bit louder than his normal whisper, I can't help but smile back at him.

Next is Eddy, I think. He certainly looks like a bouncer that you don't want to get on the wrong side of. His dark skin and shaved head only add to his intimidating appearance, luckily he had a kind smile on his face at the moment. "I'm Ed, though I get Eddy more. I'm 40 and working as a bartender at a club near by. I've been here a few months and plan on moving out soon, once I have some money saved and I'm off probation at the club." He says proudly.

I almost forgot about the other guy, he seemed to keep to himself a fair bit. His shoulder length brown hair loosely tied up with green eyes that seem to see into your very soul. "Remy's the name. 30 years old and I've been here a month, still looking for work so for now I do what I can here." He tells me with a nod. 

"Okay, so Ari, why don't you tell us a bit about yourself." Rachel asks with hope on her face, clearly trying to tread carefully.

"Yeah, sure thing." I try to smile at her as I feel everyone look my way. "So I'm Aria and I'm 28. Been here a day but now that I can shower and give an address, hopefully I can find some work." I say with a timid smile, hoping I don't come across ungrateful.
(A/N. No, I don't think things are that simple.)

"Great! Now, you have your appointment soon so me and you will head over while the boys do whatever they do." She tells me before standing up, signally me to follow.

As we walk out of the dining room, she directs me to where a new room with couches and a desk. Sitting on one couch is the doc from yesterday and a guy I've never seen before, which instantly puts me a little on edge.

"I can't stay for this part but I'll be back when the session is over to show you how to get back to your room. This is Dr Elizabeth, you met yesterday and here is Dr Hugh, the therapist we have on staff." She introduces before giving me a reassuring smile and leaving me behind.

The session was intense for me, to say the least. They questioned details about my record and asked if I was a danger to anyone here. Being satisfied with my answer, Dr Elizabeth took her leave and Dr Hugh and I sat for a long time in silence after him telling me I can talk about anything I'd like to. I didn't want to tell him anything about myself, or what my life was like though. I wanted a new start in life, I want to use this place for it's purpose and get myself back together.

So eventually, that was what I told him. He explained the ways they can assist if ever I desire it and that setting goals is a great way to stay on track but to not be discouraged if things take time. 

By the end I was feeling more like myself again. After I made another appointment with him, I met with Rachel again. She showed me around a bit to avoid me getting lost and told me that I officially got approval to stay here as long as I followed the rules that were applied to the residents in the building. 

Bidding her farewell, I enter my new home feeling kind of happy and fuzzy. It wasn't a feeling I got very often but I was beginning to get hope again and perhaps I could even make a friend or two here.

"We're going to have a movie night! You in?" Pat's happy face jumps in front of me the moment I walk into the lounge area, making me jump slightly before smiling back at the happy kid.

"I'd run while you can, mate. It's always kids movies when it comes to this guy." Remy jokingly warns with a small smile. 

"Shh! She wants to see Tangled just as much as you guys do deep down!" Pat scowls before sitting on the couch with the remote in hand.

"I'd love to watch it with you, Pat." I tell him honestly, before getting comfy on the floor in front of his legs. 

The movie starting just as Pat starts to twirl my hair while he watches it, the action oddly soothing as I relax into my new home.

One that I won't take for granted for a single day!

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Had two small people nagging me for everything under the sun while I wrote this!

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Next update tomorrow!