Asylum Love Stories, chapter one

*Teo's p.o.v.*

It’s been one month since I came to Haven Roads Asylum. I should probably be saying something like “I’m glad I’m recovering” but who really ever recovers from depression mixed with anxiety and hearing voices?
Let me introduce myself: my name is Teo. I’m seventeen years old; male obviously and about two, almost three months ago, I tried to kill myself. I would have succeeded but my sister barged in before I could make the final cut. She “saved” me and I let her. She’s the only person who really cares for me. My parents have made it their job to put me down and remind me how worthless I am. My sister has looked out for me for a few years now. She’s even stood up for me; she really puts up a fight. And she’s only eleven. I’m really glad she can visit me when she can. Last time I saw her it was a Wednesday. She told me she’d visit me next Thursday.
Today is Monday. Everyone hates Mondays and I can see why. The sun is shining, the halls are filled with screams from various different crazes (that’s what we call ourselves) and the smell of disinfectant lingers in the air.
I’m sitting on the couch in the activity room, although no one ever comes in here for activity. All we have are three comfy couches surrounding the television, some old board games and a fold up chair for Dr. Cox when we have our sessions. It’s not a very big room but it’s a great place to be when you’re bored, like I am now.
I’ve brought my knees up to my chest, the TV screen changing rapidly in front of my eyes. Cleo, a fifteen year old girl who has become my closest friend, just can’t decide what to watch. I let out a heavy sigh.
“Cleeeooooo! Pick something! You’re making me nervous.”
She turns her head towards me slowly, her finger never leaving the remote button.
“News or animals?”
“News.”
She lets out a groan and quickly gets to the news channel. I shake my shaggy blue-dyed hair out of my face, leaning back with a slight grin on my face. I rarely win.
We sit there in comfortable silence for about half an hour, barely being able to hear the news people over the crazes before one of the nurses grabs the remote and shuts the TV off. We groan in protest but she just smiles at us.
“Now, now, there is a reason I turned it off!”
Her voice is soft but loud enough to hear over the wails of someone a few floors up. Damn, people can scream but then again the walls are thin. I look at the nurse. I think her name’s Betty but we all call her Bubbles because of her bubbly personality. I like her.
“What is it Bubbles?”
Cleo asks, bringing her thin arms behind her head. It amazes me how skinny she still is. She suffers from anorexia and self-harm, the scars still visible on her pale skin.
“I wanted to introduce you to the new girl, Lucy Waters.”
We all turn our gaze to the girl I only just noticed. She is wearing loose dark jeans and a baggy grey t-shirt. Her long brown hair comes down to her hips and curls slightly at the tips. Her green eyes take a quick glance into my grey eyes and then quickly looked down at the floor. Cleo rises from her spot and makes her way over to Lucy.
“Hey, I’m Cleo!” She engulfs her in a hug.
Lucy stiffens and hugs back shortly. I get up as well and walk over. She’s a head shorter than me. I look down into her round face.
“Hi, I’m Teo.” I put out my hand. She hesitates but shakes my hand after a few moments. “Well, I’ll leave you three to get to know each other! Remember, session in an hour!” Bubbles squeezes Lucy’s shoulder before bouncing out the door, typical Bubbles. Cleo sits back down on the couch, grabs the remote and flips straight to the cartoon channel. I smile at Lucy who looks down at her socked feet. We’re never allowed to wear shoes inside.
“Do you like cartoons?” I ask Lucy quietly. She just nods, never looking up. I lead her over to the couch, sitting down next to Cleo. Lucy sits down rather close to me. Not that I mind. I hope we become just as close as Cleo and I.