A New Day

continued from A Song and A Dance
Cassandra Teo

A slam of a door woke him up. Groaning and mumbling to himself, he opened his eyes. Disorientation greeted him. It felt like his head was caught between a vice and it was being tightened. Slowly. He blinked at the ceiling as he tried to recall last night’s events. It looked different, the ceiling. Sitting up, he took in what he could of his surroundings. Light was struggling to get through the shutters. Dust floated gently on the dim rays. He could make out a dresser by the window and a cupboard opposite it. The room had a floral scent to it. Not looking for any more explanations, he headed to the bathroom, swearing he would never Mary Jane that much again.

Bright rays pierced his eyes as he walked out the door. Squeezing them shut, he followed the wall to the stairs. Fumbling for his shades, he made his way down slowly. He could never understand how some people could walk around under this like it never bothered them. It was giving him a headache already. The after effects of last night didn't help either. Exactly what had happened eluded him for now and he didn't bother chasing after it. He just concentrated on not walking into anything. Not like it would harm him. It was more of avoiding unwanted and unnecessary attention.  At least he recognized the part of town he was in. It was noisier and much more annoying right now. Kids were running here and there, screaming and shouting - caught up in some game or other. Moving quickly to a path that seemed to have fewer kids, he made his way to the bus stop.

People avoided him on the bus. It was like there was a "Warning!" sign on his forehead. Just as well. He wasn't in the mood anyway. The front door was swinging open when he reached home. Marie probably forgot to close it again. She kept thinking this place was like the one they had before. There you could leave your doors and windows open all day and night and nothing would happen. Here it was different. Much different. Luckily nothing had happened yet. He had an idea why. The thought improved his mood. Stepping in he called out that he was home. Trusting that she had heard him, he went to his room.

He studied the birthmark on his left arm as he hit the “On” button and waited for the computer to start.  A sort of sharp edged, double spiral. An indication of who he was. Not that many around here knew. No one around here knew much about him come to think about it. He didn't mix around with them. Marie hardly did either. They kept to themselves a lot. Better that way. Fewer questions asked when they had to move again. He did wish now and then that he had someone to talk to though. Marie didn't count. Someone he could tell everything to.  Someone who would just listen and not judge. Someone who he could always count on no matter what. Well, you hardly ever get what you want. He could wish all he wanted. Didn't mean he would get it.

The homepage finally popped up. Detached, he scrolled down the faces and names. They seemed to be talking to one another, in tune with each other, enjoying life, unconscious of its dangers. He was just an observer, a shadow. What did they talk about all the time anyway? It was non-stop. Constant.  His head throbbed, reminding him once again of last night. He didn’t want to remember, not yet.

Bored, he searched for videos. Sometimes you could find some really funny ones. Enough to make him smile. The thought brought back something Jay had said last night. He had said been commenting on the fact that Don was so serious most of the time. He had said that one day Don would meet someone who would be able to make him laugh even when he didn’t want to. Don had snorted and rolled his eyes in reply. He really didn’t think that there was anyone out there capable of fully understanding him, knowing everything about him and accept-ing it, all at the same time. Who would? Let alone make him laugh when he didn’t want to.