^^Eddy^^

"Come on Ari, wake up and join us for breakfast." Pat whines as he pokes my shoulder for the third time.

"Mmmm..." I groan back, pulling the covers further over my face to hide away as long as humanly possible. 

"I know it's hard to get up but you actually do need to. You still need to eat more food." The younger boy mothered about. "Please...."

He's working his way in too easily...

"Fine!" I grumble loudly, pulling the covers away from my body roughly and standing to give a playful glare to the small teenager. 

Pat simply smiles up at me before he turns and leaves the room I share with him. Remy and Eddy share the other room of the small two bedroom place. Honestly, I could easily see myself staying here for ever. It had more than I'd ever need, but I don't want to be replying on the shelter long term.

Going to the en suite we share, I turn the water on before carefully stripping the clothes off my battered body. I spot my reflection in the mirror for a moment, and curiosity wins as I start to look over myself. My back has bruises all over it from the drunken kicks, as well as my legs. I'm extremely skinny too, worse than I realised. My ribs are clearly visible and my thighs don't touch. Dr Elizabeth explained that I have to eat at least three meals a day to help gain weight back because I lack nutrition too.

Jumping into the shower, I take a minute to just appreciate the warm running water. The first one I had after arriving certainly wasn't as enjoyable as this one is. I spent most of it scrubbing grime from my hair and body that left the water going down the plug rather off coloured. 

Drying myself off quickly, I get dressed in some second hand jeans and a plain black t-shirt. 

It's so nice to have new panties and bra though. Courtesy of Jean and Rachel!

Walking into the lounge room, I spot Remy and Eddy talking while Pat just sits on the couch with a book in his hands. He always seems so quiet and honestly, a little repressed when we're around others. 

"You boys ready?" I ask causing the conversation to halt.

"Yep. Come on!" Pat smiles at me before walking to the door. 

The three of us follow behind him down to the dining room, which has more people in it compared to yesterday. Pat explained that it's busy depending on the time you go since some people sleep in and others are working so they're up earlier. 

After we all grab our breakfast, we walk over the one of the tables and make our selves comfortable. Eddy and Remy start up their conversation again while Pat and I eat in silence, though it isn't uncomfortable. 

I guess when you're alone for so long you adapt and learn to keep to yourself. 

"Hey Pat, don't you have that online test today?" Remy asks after we're all finished with our food.

"Oh Shit!!" He jumps up before quickly running for what I'm guessing is a computer. 

"Well, I'm due for my shift on clean up. See you both later." Remy says with a wave goodbye as he walks out too.

"Do you have to go to work too?" I ask Eddy, feeling oddly lonely now that people were doing their own day to day things.

"Nope. I work nights mostly. Unless a day staff member calls in sick at the last minute and I'm needed." He smiles at me. "What about you? They set you up with a list of things to do today?" 

"Yep. I have to go to someone about writing a practically non-existent resume. See Dr Elizabeth to check my bruises and then a session with Dr Hugh to help me 'adjust'" I quote at the end causing the big guy to chuckle.

"Yes that does sound standard for the first proper day here, well minus checking assault bruises." He says sadly. "I actually wanted to officially say my thanks for what you did. Pat has gone through a lot, most he won't talk about, so people like those idiots can set him off. I appreciate what you did for him, we all do."

"It's fine, honestly people like those guys piss me off. Better me get the abuse over a kid like him." I say with a sad smile, trying to brush off the thought of that night.

"No, you really don't get it. He's a quiet kid, It's how he copes and survives. But when you helped him he ran in here screaming, scaring us all half to death, before actually grabbing my hand and dragging me back to you while he tried explaining the situation." He says in complete seriousness. "He talks to you, a lot. We used to rarely hear a peep out of him. I just want you to understand how good a thing it is that he has taken a liking to you. So, thank you Aria." He repeats with a grateful smile that I can't help but return. 

"I like being his friend, he's a good kid." I say after a moment before looking at the clock. "Crap, I better head over to this adviser. Bye Eddy." I wave before running off to where I was told to go. 

***** Later that day *****

Walking back into our room, I flop face first onto my new bed just willing my brain to switch off after a draining day. The adviser was an easy thing to deal with, the guy simply explained that I can look into doing TAFE courses if I wished to improve myself in that sense. That me having completed high school with exceptional grades will make it a bit easier but to not be picky for now.

Even the doc said I can stop taking pain killers now and that they're healing up slowly but surely. 

But Dr Hugh, his job is to help all of us with any mental repercussions from our lives prior to this place, and though I stuck to talking about my time on the streets he still asked painful things. He wouldn't be aware of them being painful, but asking about my family is certainly one of them. After we were done, I just wanted to hide away for the night.

Of course that doesn't happen since I live with three other people, two of which I'm sure just came into my room.

"How'd today go?" Pat's small voice cuts through my inner turmoil.

"Fantastic." I mutter sarcastically.

"Want to talk about it?" He offers.

"Not particularly." 

"Then come have a drink with us." Remy butts in.

Looking over at him, I see he has a slab of Jack Daniels under his arm and a bag of snacks in the other. Pat seems to have a smile stretching across his face wider than I'd seen yet. 

"What would be the occasion?" I ask suspecting Pat was the reason. 

"I passed my test and aced it!" He smiles. "Highest grade I've ever had too!"

"Well then, celebrate is what we must do!" I beam at him, getting up and dragging them out to the lounge area in our place. 

Four drinks later, mildly drunk would be an accurate description for the three of us. We were watching Pirates of the Caribbean and laughing the entire time. It felt great to just let go and actually feel happiness, real and genuine. Eating junk food without being worried that it wasn't filling or that I might not eat for a while when it was finished. 

After a few hours we all felt drowsy and decided to call it a night. Remy drags his feet to his own bedroom after bidding us goodnight. After I guide Pat to our room before leading him to the bathroom and telling him to do what he needs before bed. When he walks back out I guide him to his bed and sit him before pulling his socks off.

"N-no! Don't!" He slightly slurs, shoving my hands away from him quickly.

Feeling slightly shocked by the sudden change, I figure it's best I tread carefully right now.

"I'm sorry Pat. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I'll let you get ready for bed." I whisper before standing to let him do his own routine while I go do my own. 

Walking out of the bathroom changed into PJ pants and a singlet, I see Pat still sitting on his bed curled up. Knowing he sleeps with a night light next to his bed, I go turn it on before wishing his a good night and leaving him to work through his thoughts.

Just as I feel like I'm drifting into peaceful slumber, I feel someone lightly shake my shoulder.

"Aria, umm are you awake still?" Pats soft voice asks.

"Mhmmm." I respond too close to sleep to form actual words.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap before." He mutters quieter than I've heard before.

"It's okay, I understand." I say, hoping he doesn't think I'm assuming I knew how he felt.

"Could I.... Would I be able to sleep with you tonight... please?" He whispers, so quiet I'm not sure if I heard correctly. The desperation in his voice hitting my heart though.

"Okay." I mumble regardless. 

I know he's nearly eighteen but honestly, he acts more like a scared kid so much of the time and I think a big part of him is one. I feel this need to make sure he's okay and help him in any way I can, which is honestly a bit over whelming in itself. 

Moments later the bed dips as he slides in next to me, I look towards him to see he's on his back as well. I can see his eyes glazed over and his lip tremble in the dim light he has on in the room, and it just makes me want to be there all the more. Rolling on my side to face him, I slowly place my hand over the one that he has resting on his chest above the covers. 

I expect him to blow up at me again, but surprisingly the complete opposite happens. His hand grips mine tightly as the tears spill over down his face, and a sob breaks through the silent room.

"Come here." I whisper, hoping I can at least give his poor soul some comfort. 

We might not have know each other long but being his room mate, we've talked a lot and grown a weird friendship in that small time. And if I can tell you anything, it's that I care about him immensely. 

Without hesitation he rolls onto his side and buries his face under my chin as his small frame shakes from the sobs he lets run through his body. I gently stroke his hair with one hand while the other holds his hand again, and I just let him release all the pent up emotion he seems to have.

After quite a while his sobs become hiccups and his body goes still in my arms. I know he's still awake since I can feel his eye lashes moving as he blinks, but I don't dare say something first. I simply continue to try and sooth him, hoping he at least can get a good sleep tonight. So far i'm yet to see him have a night when he doesn't toss and turn at least once.

"Thank you Ari." He whispers with a hoarse voice. "I don't really want to talk about it yet, but I promise I will one day." He says after another moment of silence before he lifts his hand in front of our faces, holding his pinky finger up.

"And I'll always be here, happy to listen to anything you need to say." I whisper back, linking our pinkies together.

"Pinky promise." Pat say, tightening his finger.

"Pinky promise." I sigh, relaxing back into the bed.

So that's how I spend my night, cuddling with a broken teenager that seems to need me more than I've ever been needed before in my life.

And I want to be there every step of the way for him.

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For those who catch on to some of the names I give people, yes I'm slightly un creative. lol

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