"I already told you, no."

With anger rising up in my stomach, I stood up from the couch. "I don't need a therapist. I'm fine by myself. It was just a little panic attack, alright? They'll be gone in bit. I just need to settle on or something." The last part was just a mumble, though they probably heard it either way.

"When your father gets back from work, I'll tell him to talk to you." My Mom snapped. "You can't force me!" Raging, I stomped up the stairs to the room. I shut the door behind me and let go a breath I didn't remember holding in.

With the released breath, tears released from my eyes and slowly trailed down my cheeks, leaving a warm and wet stain.

I worked over to the bed and as soon I reached it, I broke down. Snuggled up into the big blanket I let the tears drop, though they never stopped. Quite sobs, so downstairs nobody would hear, left my lips. Why did I burst out like this? Mom was probably hurt now. I never actually screamed at her like that. Not in a disgraceful way.

My chest now had a hole in it. A black hole, that sucked the happiness away. But since when was it there? I didn't wanted it, at least. With the medication, from which I forgot the name again, I could stop my running thoughts. I could calm my mind down.

So I got up and reached for my bag. I hid the pills in a box and chugged one down with water.

I laid back down on my bed, headphones in my ears. I felt myself get calmer. The tears were dried by now and my breaths got steady. I felt in peace.

I don't really know how long I was laying in my bed, but the sun was already shining through my window, drawing those beautiful golden shapes I loved, which means it should be time for dinner now. And Dad should be home from work by now, too.

Technically, he wasn't really working. He just went to his work place and loaded some stuff down there. Said he needed to discuss some things with his boss and other employees.

Slowly, I sat up.

I felt tired. Probably because of the, I looked at the package, benzodiazepines. I should do some research, though. After a big yawn and a really satisfying strech, I went down stairs. First thing I saw was Elliot watching TV and typing on his phone like a maniac. A wonderful smell entered my nose, tickling a certain part of my brain.

Smells like my favorite food.

I made my way to the kitchen, finding my Mom in front of the kitchen counter. Indeed, my favorite food, chicken-alfredo Pasta, was being made.

"Your awake, honey. I'm sorry for earlier, I just want the best for you." She embraced me in a firm hug and hugged the anger out of me. Wow, that sounded cheesy.

"I'm sorry, too. I didn't mean to yell, really." "Of course you didn't. You can go sit down. Your Dad will be there in a second to join you." I furrowed my eyebrows. "He still isn't home?" "He is, he is in the bathroom. Go get Elliot, I made your favorite." Giving her a nod and a 'thank you', I went to the living room to get my brother.

"Dinner's ready." Walking past him and sitting down, I looked back. He was still typing. What is it with this dude? "Eli, come on." "Mhm" He made a movement in my direction, but that was all. I groaned, got up and took his phone away. "Hey! Give it back." He tried snatching it away but I was faster. "Sit down" I smiled innocently.

He sat down, expression annoyed. "What are you even doing?" Who knows why, but at that question his face lit up.

"Oh my God, I forgot to tell you." Before I could say like 'Shoot' or 'Tell me' he already started speaking, words coming out like a waterfall.

"So today I went to the grocery store, I couldn't find the way. I guess I looked pretty stupid walking around, twisting and turning, 'cause a boy my age approached me and asked why I was walking and looking like that. I then told him and we went grocery shopping together. We talked and everything, he even nearly walked me home, I thought, but turns out he lives a street away, like five minutes maximum on foot."

Because of his excitement, I got excited for him as well. "That's awesome." I tell him. He managed to find a friend on the first day, kinda impressive, though I won't find friends after months. I would bet on that.

"Isn't it? Oh and the best thing is, he is coming over tomorrow."

"How nice." Smiling, I started eating the food my Mom brought. Das took a seat as well, and the whole time we ate dinner, Elliot talked about his new friend he was glad he found.

//°°\\

The next day I was planning to plant myself into the couch. I took a few books with me, the rest will be delivered tomorrow. So, I start with my favorite book of all time. 'Shatter me'.

I do like other books, though I reread that one the most often.

Yesterday I fell asleep really fast and had one of the best sleeps in a while. I wonder why. Hopefully not the new bed. Or hopefully it is the new bed. I don't care.

Crossing my legs, I open the book and start reading.

Mom started to unpack one of the few boxes we took with us, but I didn't even took any notice. Dad was calling the company that should deliver all of our furniture and all the stuff we packed into carton boxes, 'cause they should arrive today, but as I said, they would come tomorrow.

I didn't even listen to his words.

Then the door got opened, though I didn't waste energy to look up.

"Who's she?" An unfamiliar voice asked, not even me, the one who was meant.

"She has a name." I snapped. Eventually, I did waste energy to look who it was.

It was a boy around Eli's and my age, dark brown hair and eyes and a little bit of features that hint he could be Asian. Holding his hands up, he took a step back, as if I was a dangerous animal.

"Would she like to tell me her name?" His hands now again just hung by his sides. He did was kinda cu- weird? "No she doesn't 'cause she doesn't even know who is talking to her." I cringed a bit over the fact I was talking about myself in the third person.

"Oh, right sorry." He stopped in front of me and held out his hand. "My name is Thomas. I am very pleased to meet you."

While holding in a chuckle at this absurd way of introducing each other, I took his hand. "Yeah uh, Hope."

"Hope what?" Confused again I looked at him. "What do you mean?"

"You said hope, so what should I hope for." Reading his serious face, I palmed my face. "Hope's the name" My cheeks gained a little bit of color by the embarrassment of the situation. His eyes got bigger at the realization. "Oh my- sorry, Hope, uhm" unsure what to do we kinda both just stared.

What a great first impression.

I'm traumatized now.

//°°\\

A/n:

This was kinda cringey myself to write, but it had to be, so anyway.

And finally, Thomas had his first appearance, even tho it was weird.

What do you think so far? Any tips?

Btw, I feel like the whole storyline with Hope is starting to evolve!

Have a good day or rest of the day!

X WrittenBy09