Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ A Second Chance ❯ A New Beginning ( Chapter 9 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Authors Note: I can no longer promise chapters at certain times cause I’d just keep breaking them. I have a lot going on these days so I guess the best I can say is to just check back here every now and then for a new chapter. I’m sorry to the fans that have been waiting for this chapter for so long. If you’ve somehow managed to find your way back to my story and are reading it, Then I guess I just wanted to say thanks. Enjoy a long chapter! More to come.

Ryan began slowly drifting out of sleep after the sound of the room’s door opening.

“Grrrrrr… PERVERT!”

The sharply pitched voice echoed through Ryan’s ears scaring him wide-awake. He sat up quickly awaking Serenity whose back was supporting Ryan’s right arm. After noticing where his arm was he slowly turned his head back towards Jean with a look of despair. Her glare was surging with anger.

“It’s not what it looks like! I swear,” was Ryan’s desperate plea in avoiding the impending punishment.”

Jean cracked her fist as the doctor watched and laughed hysterically from the doorway.

“She crawled over on to my bed. HONEST!”

His words failed to faze her, for at that moment she was already preparing her swing. The fist came crashing down on the back of Ryan’s head.

“OWE…! YOU IDIOT… I’M NOT LIEING SHE REALLY DID CRAWL ONTO ME LAST NIGHT.”

Serenity was dazed and confused, she just continued staring at them after getting to her feet on the side of the bed.

“Tch… You really expect me to believe that crap? You pervert…” declared Jean.

“Now, now Jean… This really was the bed Ryan slept on last night. That being said, Serenity had to have been the one that moved. Besides, you told me you were picking them up to help with shopping, not to start a fight.”

Dr. Crespin seemed to be in a good mood for some reason. Maybe he’s in high spirits because Serenity’s going outside for the first time in quite a while.

“All right, but I’m keeping my eye on you Mr.” Jean points her 2 fingers into her eyes then points them down at Ryan signaling how serious she was.

The next moment a nurse came and took Serenity out of the room and off down the hallways.

“What’s go-in on Doc?”

“They are going to get ready, she can’t leave in a hospital outfit you know. Even your friend here was kind enough to bring you some clean clothes.”

“Yeah I did,” said Jean who reached into her bag pulling out a set of clothing belonging to Ryan. “Don’t get the wrong idea, this is just thanks for taking me home last night.”

“I’m more creeped out by the fact that I was stupid enough to give you a key to my apartment,” whispered Ryan to himself.

“WHAT DID YOU SAY?!”

“NOTHING,” yelled Ryan as he grabbed the clothes in her hand and ran out of the room and down the hall towards the bathrooms.

“That jerk! I’ll get him later.”

“Hey Jean, I know you’re just helping them shop but I’d like it if you could all so have conversations with Serenity as well. You’re a girl too and girl to girl talk will help serenity even more to recover from her mental illness. You understand… right?” Asked Dr. Crespin.

“Yeah I suppose, but I don’t really know how or what to talk to her about.”

“Talk with her about anything normal girls her age would talk about.”

“That might not be such a good idea,” murmured Jean as she walked outside the room towards the elevators.

She pressed the button and the doors on the right opened. Jean entered and turned around to see Ryan running towards the elevator doors. Of course she didn’t feel like waiting for him and pressed the button closing the doors. Ryan managed to stop the doors just in time with his hand as he entered gasping for air.

“Look I’m sorry all right, I’ll make it up to you,” said Ryan. “Even though it wasn’t my fault.”

“Grrr…”

Ryan lifted his arms up over his body shielding the oncoming punishment that never came.

“Fine… Perhaps it wasn’t your fault, lets just have fun today, ok?”

“You got it.”

The doors opened as the elevator dinged. Walking out, they both notice the nurse and Serenity waiting patiently by the door. She was wearing a purple dress skirt along with a purple shirt and shoes too match.

“Lift your jaw up, you look retarded.” Said Jean

“She’s quite beautiful isn’t she Ryan? The dress was left over from my daughter who passed away years ago. Though it looks quite suiting on her as well,” interrupted Dr. Crespin.

“Y-Yeah… R-Real beautiful…”

“Idiot…” Replied Jean in her mind.

They walked up to Serenity who was slightly embarrassed and extremely nervous, hiding her face under her straw hat.

“She must be scared, this is her first time going outside in a while. Not to mention the fact that she doesn’t know this place or anyone around town.”

Grabbing Serenity’s arm and interweaving it around his he announced that they were leaving to Crespin and the nurse. They waved as Ryan, Serenity, and Jean walked out the front doors into the blazing sun towards the mall.

It was about an hour walk from the hospital to the mall. The town they lived in was small, it was called the “mall” but it was more along the lines of a small string of stores in one giant building. The mall was still expanding as the town has been growing a lot recently from unknown profits.

They didn’t talk about much of anything during the whole walk there. Serenity was shaking and constantly switching her gaze. It was as if she was seeing the world outside the hospital for the first time in her whole life. Who knows what she was actually seeing. It must have been terrible cause she was practically cutting off the circulation in Ryan’s arm from how tightly she was grasping it. Occasionally she would turn away from what she was looking at and bury her head into Ryan’s chest as if it were a shield. The other people on the street would stare and exchange whispers as they walked by. It was making Ryan really angry, almost to the point of shouting at them but he wanted to remain calm for Serenity’s sake. Jean followed alongside Serenity from the other side acting like another wall from the strangers.

“This might not be such a good idea. If she’s having this much trouble with so few people around and small amounts of noise… It’s going to be a lot worse at the mall.”

“Jean I don’t think it’s a good idea to go to the mall. I think we should take this a step at a time. She’s having a hard enough time as it is just walking around through the shopping district… Maybe we should pick a small clothes shop around here.” Exclaimed Ryan.

Jean, who had been watching just as closely as Ryan was, all so noticed how terrified Serenity was. It was clear that the mall would have even more of an impact.

“Yeah I guess your right,” said Jean looking around. “Hey I been inside that store before, it’s small but they have a nice selection for the kinds of dresses she’s wearing right now. Were very close to summer now so we can get her more light clothing like she’s wearing now.”

They entered the store and were instantly greeted by the nice sales clerk. Serenity who had been shaking and jittering became relaxed. There were no other people in the store besides them and the clerk. For some reason Serenity didn’t have a problem with the clerk at all. It was mysterious to Ryan who had been taking notice of everything relating to Serenity’s well being.

“So who are we shopping for today?” was the soft voice from the kind sales clerk who was standing in front of Serenity.

“She don’t like talking to people she don’t know, sorry she doesn’t mean anything from it She’s just really shy.

Ryan’s swift reply seemed to work cause the clerk nodded her head and turned to face him.

“So I take it your all shopping for her then since she can’t do it alone. That’s pretty kind of you. Is she your sister?”

Of course Jean instantly started laughing while Ryan blushed shaking his head.

“Oh I see, she must be your girlfriend then.”

That statement created a fowl atmosphere. Jean stopped laughing as instantly as she had started and Ryan was now beat red. Serenity on the other hand seemed to be more interested in the clothing around them to be listening to the conversation.

“No were just doing some shopping as friends. That’s all…”

“I see… Well is there anything I can help you find today?”

“Sure, were just looking for some summer cloth,” his words were interrupted by Jean who was shoving Ryan outside the store.

“Wha… What are you doing?!”

“It’s time for us girls to do some shopping you just wait outside, guys aren’t good at this kind of thing anyway.”

“But... but,” was Ryan’s reply as the doors closed on him.
“But I wanted to see her try on the outfits…” Said Ryan as he sighed and leaned against the wall outside the building.

“I guess I’ll just have to wait… It’s still bugging me though. How come Serenity wasn’t scared around the sales clerk even though it was her first time meeting her? It’s true that there weren’t many people around but still. Serenity had trouble with a few of the people in the hospital that she didn’t know while they were around but yet this person doesn’t seem to phase her. The same goes with Dr. Crespin and the nurse that was assigned to Serenity. Even Jean has no effect and I’m positive she’s never met Serenity before. It’s too weird to try and figure out right now. Come to think of it, I wonder why Serenity is so calm around me anyway. It’s been as if we were best friends since the day I rescued her from the beach. Gah…”

“Man all this thinking is making my head hurt!” said Ryan somewhat shouting.

“And just what perverted thoughts could you possibly be thinking about out here by yourself?” answered Jean who had just exited the store holding a couple of bags.

“It wasn’t perverted thoughts… It was… You know what, just never mind. Let’s go…”

Jean noticed Ryan really was bothered by something and remained quiet and sulking while they began the walk home. Darkness was now consuming the sky. The hustle and bustle of the afternoon was now gone and it was quiet. They eventually arrived at Jean's home.

“Well I guess this is it for me. See you 2 later… Have a good night serenity!” Said Jean smiling at her.

There was no response from serenity though. She made an effort to speak, her lips moved but nothing came out. Jean sighed and turned facing her room.

“Ggg.. Gooodd.. Nii..Nigghtt.” Serenity’s effort finally prevailed.

With that Jean lifted up her shoulders and entered her room turned and smiled waving as she shut the door.

The stars were shining bright in the sky. The calm night breeze caused Serenity to quiver a bit as they walked down the street towards her new home with Ryan. She was wobbling a bit too.

“She must be exhausted from all this walking. Not really surprised, she hasn’t been using her legs much lately thanks to the hospital. Guess I got no choice…”

Without warning Ryan put the shopping bags down swept Serenity off her feet and into his arms supporting her briefly with his knee then using his right arm, positioned hers around his neck for her support. Afterwards he leaned down and lifted the bags up again. Serenity was staring into his eyes shocked and disturbed while holding onto him. Ryan turned his head away from her blushing slightly.”

“It… It’s a pretty view isn’t it… the stars…”

“Y.. Yeah..” Was the soft yet crisp reply.

“Heh.. She always picks the best times to talk. Man My arms are going to be hurting by the time we get home. Ugh… It’s ok though, I’d carry her across town if I had to… … Why am I thinking such weird things…? Why do I care so much…? … Could it be…? Am I developing feelings for her? I guess there’s no reason not to. Yeah… So what If I am. All that matters to me right now is Serenity even if it isn’t love I want to be there for her right now.”