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Lando groaned, “There’s nothing to do on the weekends.”
He looked around. Everyone else looked just as bored as him, sitting around, reading or dissociating. He noted how George and Max whispered to each other. That was a suspicious new development. He wondered if Oscar noticed that the two boys had gotten closer recently.
He and Oscar were sharing one of the couches in the common room. He glanced at Oscar who was deeply invested in a book. He looked so pretty when he was like that, “Osc… play a game with me…” he nudged.
“Read a book,” The younger boy deadpanned.
“That’s not funny, you know I’m dyslexic,” Lando poked him in the side, “I miss when you first arrived and didn’t snark me.”
Oscar huffed a laugh, “I clung to you like a koala because I was so scared.”
“You still do, and I know you loved being shown around by me, I told all the gossip.” Lando grinned.
“Yeah yeah, you’re the best roommate.” Oscar smiled before going back to reading.
Lando thought back to when Oscar first arrived. He had been so quiet. He could remember it all clearly.
***
Everyone’s heads turned when there was a knock on the door. Jenson went to go open the door and welcome in the newest resident. A brunette trudged inside, carrying his suitcase and a backpack. He didn’t even look up, his eyes looked distant, as if he were someplace else mentally.
The new boy didn’t wave back at anyone as he was shown into the intake office. “Tough crowd.” Pierre mumbled.
“Oh please as if you were a delight your first day.” Esteban scoffed.
Lando tuned out the arguing as his eyes remained on the intake door. The boy was really handsome. He really hoped that was his new roommate. He saw one of the therapists, Mark, enter the intake office. Hopefully the intake would be done soon so they could all meet the new boy.
***
It felt like hours to Lando before his therapist, Sebastian, pulled him aside.
“Lando, the new kid, Oscar, is very quiet and reclusive. you’re going to be his roommate, so please do your best to welcome him and don’t… scare him.” Sebastian explained while leading him upstairs to the bedrooms.
The British boy was practically shaking with excitement, “Why would I scare him?”
“Nevermind, just go introduce yourself.” Sebastian sighed.
Lando peaked his head into his room, he watched the boy unpack dejectedly. He didn’t notice Lando’s body presence. “Hi!” Lando exclaimed making Oscar flinch and look at him with wide eyes.
“…hi,” He mumbled in an Australian accent, Lando knew Daniel was going to love him.
Lando strolled in and sat down on his bed, “I’m your roommate, Lando! Seb wanted me to say hi before you got introduced to everyone so you weren’t overwhelmed, don’t worry, I’ll show you everything!” He was buzzing with energy.
Oscar paused putting shorts in the dresser and tilted his head, Lando didn’t miss how his eyes caught on the scars that littered his legs and arms, “I… already got a tour.”
“Oh, did Mark give you it? Is he cool? He doesn’t lead any groups like some of the other therapists do so I haven’t really spoken to him, but that’s off topic, the Lando tour is different from the official one, mine includes… gossip.” He grinned, beaming at the Aussie.
Oscar couldn’t help but laugh. Lando’s eyes lit up, he decided then and there he’d try to make Oscar laugh as much as he could.
***
That afternoon during freetime Lando walked laps around the common room rambling on to Oscar who was trailing behind him.
“I’m here cause my parents found out I was cutting myself and completely flipped like geez overreacting much but at least I can wear shorts and t-shirts again but anyways so there’s Pierre, he’s here because of a coke problem and he’s friends with Yuki and Charles mainly, he’s always in arguments with his roommate, Esteban, who’s here cause he’s just kind of bad at most social things but he’s really nice, and they aren’t even half as bad as George and Max though. They’re always at each other’s throats, George has an eating disorder and Max, I don’t know because his sole mission is to like never open up. Esteban hangs out a lot with Lance who is like the most antisocial person, probably here because of that. Carlos is one of my friends, he has schizophrenia, and Daniel is cool too, he’s from Australia like you, he’s here cause he suppresses his emotions a lot and covers it with humor.” Lando’s hand waved around in the air as he spoke.
“Are you… breathing?” Oscar interrupted, looking a bit alarmed.
“Barely! I’ll tell you about the other kids later, now the employees, First the therapists, Lewis and Sebastian are probably the best, they’re really relaxed and will let you sit in their office and talk if Mark isn’t available. Sebastian is married to an employee, Kimi, who really only works night shift, he’s good at listening though not at responding. Lewis is definitely in a situationship with the director of the residential, Nico R, but he denies it. I don’t know much about Mark, you’ll have to give me info. Fernando is really no nonsense. Those are the four therapists. You’ll meet most the employees throughout the week. They’re all cool, Jenson, Checo, Valtteri, Nico H, I can’t name them all. So tell me about you!”
Oscar froze in alarm at the sudden switch on him, “Er, my parents just were concerned about my depression and my friend Logan had been here in the past and thought it was helpful, so they sent me here.”
Lando nodded understandingly, “Well just stick by me and you’ll do great!”
***
Lando snapped out of his thoughts, “Osc I’m sorry! I like you as you are now! Not that you were bad before just that you’ve made progress and I was just joking earlier, like the old Oscar would never gossip with me-“ Lando rambled, he was interrupted by Oscar laughing.
“It’s okay, Lando,” The Aussie giggled.
“He cannot possibly be that funny!” Alex called out from across the room.
“Blink twice if he’s forcing you to laugh!” George joined in on the heckling.
Lando glared at the two. He completely missed how Oscar looked at him as if he were the best thing to ever happen to him.