Strange Days, What is This Place? (Malachi)

[Kelli-wa]

Malachi finished rinsing the soap from his body.  His shower was cut short by the now freezing water running out of the faucet.  His twin sister had taken an extended shower this morning making him wait and in turn giving him less hot water to work with.  He wasn't mad, though, he knew he would stay in there all day if they'd let him.  Water costs money though, even though it's basically everywhere, they charge for the pipes and even though his mother and her fiancé had plenty of money, they didn't want to pay for the shower running all day. 

Stepping out of the shower, he looked in the mirror.  He'd changed himself so much since he left for Evansville, having gone to live with his grandparents in his mother's hometown. He'd cut his hair short, with reason.  Sara liked it long, it just reminded him of her when it was long.  His love of soccer dwindled, and baseball was a hidden talent now.  Never having played anything else, he'd taken strongly to his guitar.  He loved music and now that seemed to be the only part of this insane, disaster ridden world that made any sense.  It provided escape, at least for a while.

He dried himself thoroughly and glanced in the mirror again.  Licking his lips he let out a sigh.  He'd let his earring hole grow in a long time ago, long before the storm, but he thought he might get them re-pierced.  Only if Ali thought it would look good, though.  He'd taken to his sister pretty tightly when he'd returned, making them closer now than ever before.  They told one another everything now, Ali Rene wouldn't have it any other way.  Not anymore.

He put on the outfit he'd chosen earlier and pulled a beanie over his hair before he stepped out of the bathroom and started down the road.  He had no clue where he was going, but he just didn't feel like staying in today.

[Kelli-wa]

Not having the slightest inkling of where he was going, Malachi wandered about the new town he'd been shoved into.  He wished he would've just stayed in Evansville with his grandparents.  They let him come and go as he pleased, he liked the people there.  He'd made friends, Jay, Kyle, Jake.  Now he didn't know what to do.  He had his family again, but the social life was gone.  No one here was like the people there.  So fun and alive.  Another thing--none of them really knew what happened in his life.  

Sure, he'd told Jay about things, but he was the only one in Evansville who knew the whole story.  No one looked at him with eyes that were saying, "I'm sorry."  That's what he hated the most.  People saying sorry.  Telling them how sorry they felt for him.  Telling him that things would get better.  

"Maybe it would've been better to stay away," he mumbled under his breath.  He knew it was a bad idea to come home.  He pulled his phone out and shot Jay a text.  It was short, but definitely not good.  Why did you let me leave?  I fucking hate this.  He knew it wasn't Jay's fault, but he needed to vent to someone and seeing as Ali was over at Layne's at the moment, Jay was the only one left.

A call came through not even two minutes after he'd sent the text.  Malachi picked up and before there was even a word said Jay was talking.  "Why can't you just come back, man?  We miss you already."
Malachi shook his head, "I can't leave again, Ali will hate me, forever this time.  She's serious about that too."
"Fuck, that man, you should be where you're happy.  Did you already forget about Annie?"
A sigh ran out of his lips.  He hadn't forgotten about Annie, but he also hadn't told Ali Rene about her, which was a big no-no in their new pact.  "Of course not, dude, but it isn't that easy.  Ali's my twin sister.  Am I supposed to trade her happiness for Annie's?  I can't do that.  Besides, Annie already hates me for leaving.  Said she never wanted to see me again."
"Bullshit," Jay said flatly.  "Annie's fucking in love with you.  Still.  She's all mopey and shit, man."
"Alright, Jay, you aren't helping, your just making things worse.  I can't come back.  That's final.  Can you just talk me through this a little?"

A pause was held through the phone.  A long awkward silence between the best friends.  Jay finally spoke, "Fine.  What's happening?"
"I don't know, it's just that this was a mistake, but I can't turn around and run again, I have to face this shit, but everyone here knows about Sara and I can feel the eyes all over me all the time."
Jay sighed, "Just ignore it, man.  That's what you always tell me when I'm nervous.  I feel the eyes on me up onstage.  You just gotta let loose."
Malachi nodded, "You're right.  Okay.  Thanks." 

They finished out the conversation with a few more friendly words and a couple of miss you's at the end.  when he hung up he was at the park, a weird place in his opinion.  He sighed though, deciding to check out the riverside park since he'd never been there.