9 February 2013
"What's Crag's problem? Does he always make digs at you and Marty?" I asked as we stepped into the lift. Rachel was right. The lift was finished just after breakfast so I could go upstairs. "Pretty much. He's like it with everyone, don't like anyone he says. I say he's special. There's something about him. He makes up a front but I bet he's soft underneath" Tilly replied as the door to the lift shut.
It went dark. I could hear Tilly's breathing deepen. I took her hand, the touch making her flinch slightly, then listened as her breathing softened. There was a girl waiting for us. She had bright pink hair, bright blue eyes and panda eyes. Her make up looked like she had panda eyes anyway. She stood before the lift, arms folded, and an odd smirk on her face. "Dotty!" Tilly squealed, running towards Dot. "I didn't tell her, I didn't. I was good" Tilly was twitching again as she bounced up and down. I wheeled myself out of the lift as Dot indicated for me to follow her. I did, well I followed Tilly because she said she'd show me to my room, and she followed Dot so I did too.
One thing I noticed was that Tilly walked a distance from Dot, who spoke excitedly to her. It seemed almost as if Tilly was scared to stand near her.
The room they took me into, Dot's room, was like no room I'd seen before. The ceiling and walls were covered in drawings. Some were bright, some dark. Some were self portraits, some were portraits of other people and some were of places. They were all equally amazing. There was only a bed inside the room but there were piles of books, paper and drawing equipment. "This is your room?" I asked, which was a stupid question but I couldn't help it. Dot nodded then showed me a picture. It was of me. I was asleep, looking peaceful. "I hope you don't mind. I don't sleep much anyway and there hasn't been a new face here in ages. I draw what I see and there hasn't been anything new in a while" She seemed slightly embarrassed but I just smiled up at her. "You're a good drawer" I replied, passing the paper back. She avoided my hand as she took the paper.
I realised she was afraid. Not Tilly being afraid to stand near her. Dot was afraid to have people near her. "You don't like people touching you, do you?" I said suddenly, not thinking before I spoke. Dot sighed then shook her head. "Like Tilly has voices in her head, Marty is a mute and you can't walk. We're special, different" She replied. I nodded. "Yeah, we are different. I'm Carly, by the way. You can draw me whenever, as long as I know" I grinned. "I'd love to draw your legs." She grinned then her face dropped, "I, uh mean ... Your legs are weaker than the rest of your body, because you don't use them, and I'd love to draw them. Draw you" She said quickly. I laughed. "Of course you can. Just can I see my room first?" I smiled. Dot nodded. "Oh yeah, of course. I'm sorry, I just had to show you. We don't have to do it today" She stuttered. Tilly grinned. "Dot, she's not going to hurt you. Relax"
The smile on Dot's face grew. It was hope making her smile grow. Hope of someone being there for her who was the same age as her. Having a friend to confide in. I guessed it was relief.
Sleeping in a bed was bliss. A bed where I could stretch my legs out. Yeah, I couldn't move my legs but that wasn't the point. My blissful sleep was interrupted just after lights out, however, by a shadow that lingered by my window. Scared me? Yeah!
Different: Part3 • Opuss № I