Chapter 3: Adjust

Part 2: Night

The walk back to the rec room was quiet besides the random giggles and coughs of the fellow patients. Once cricket finally opened the door Blaine noticed Kyle was sitting in the same seat she was when he was counseling him.

"Hey guys." She greeted cheerily.

"Alright guys take a seat, anywhere you want but remember the rule, personal space." Cricket instructed and gave a knowing look to Colene who was settling quietly in the corner farthest from where the other patients sat. Kurt and Jeff sat on a blue soft couch under the large window sill, Nick and Blaine sat on the floor in front of them.

"Alright guys so first we just want to introduce the new guys here if they don't mind. So everyone say hello to Kurt, Jeff, and Blaine." Kyle smiled and gestured to the three boys as she said their names.

The room erupted in quiet mumbles of "hello" and Colene shot all three boys a small smile and subtle thumbs up.

"So guys the topic today is anger and how to manage it." Cricket said as he settled in the chair next to Kyle.

"Basically we know a few of you had done a few unhealthy ways to handle your anger or stress and today we're going to tell you better ways to handle it." Kyle smiled kindly around the room to the paitients.

"Colene. Jeff." Thomas snorted, no one even saw him come into the room.

"Thomas don't disrupt." Cricket warned as Kyle shot Colene and Jeff a concerned look.

"So would anyone like to talk about a time they were angry and expressed it in a way that was…inappropriate?" Kyle asked and eyed over the room.

"One time my dad took away my video games and I punched a hole in the wall." A girl with long red hair, arms crossed, and a bored expression on her face.

"Good example Erin, sometimes when someone is angry they get the urge to release it by taking it out on something or someone. Some people break things or…punch things." Cricket explained.

"But there are alternatives if you tend to do that, like hitting a pillow, or getting a stress ball." Kyle spoke up.

"Also you could just try talking to someone, someone you can confide in like a family member or friend. Plus there are plenty of other things that can be hobbies to help like drawing or playing an instrument like the drums." Cricket stressed once more.

"This is fun an all but this is basic stuff we're told everyday by guidance counselors and stuff. I mean it's as affective as those drug speeches we get every school year." Thomas groaned and rolled his eyes.

"Thomas there might be other people in the group that need help handling their anger so please stop interrupting or we'll send you to the nest." Kyle warned him, he simply huffed.

"Now, has anyone felt angry or stressed today and would like to talk about it?" Cricket smiled and asked calmly.

A boy with sandy blond hair raised his hand and started to talk about when he couldn't find his toothpaste. Kurt blocked them out and leaned over to Nick.

"What the hell is the nest?" he whispered into his friend's ear.

"It's a small padded bench they have in the nurse break room; it's kind of like the one in the quiet room." He whispered back but didn't take his eyes off the counselors.

"What's the quiet room?" Blaine intervened from Nick's side.

"I'll explain at lunch we only have about ten minutes left here." He said to both boys.

Nick was right, ten minutes of advice giving and attention from the counselors and Cricket was shuffling all of the teens into a line.

"Alright guys today you guys have the choice of having: PB and J, Mexican Pizza, and Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese." Cricket announced as they walked to the cafeteria.

"For your sake get the peanut butter and jelly unless you like cardboard and tomato paste." Colene chuckled from behind Blaine.

Blaine followed his new friends lead as they got their food, ordering the PB and J like Colene suggested.

The four friends and Thomas settled down at the table they sat at in the morning for breakfast, Thomas immediately dug into his messy slice of pizza ns began to chug down his orange soda. Jeff nipped timidly at his sandwich and peered quickly at Nick who was delicately tearing the crust off his own sandwich.

Jeff slowly analyzed his delicate eyelashes that batted over the top of his cheeks as he focused on tearing of the edges precisely. And also the stray lock of hair that passed over one of his eyelids that Jeff yearned to push away. He shook his head lightly to tug him away from his unnatural thoughts and bit into his sandwich.

At that moment Blaine peered over to Kurt who was sipping his ice water, he looked at his slim pale wrist and the bob of his Adams apple as he gulped the water. Suddenly Kurt's cerulean eyes found his, maple colored ones he quickly scrambled to find something else to looks at, luckily the tiled floor became interesting.

"So uh Nick what's the quiet room?" Kurt spoke up from behind his glass of water.

"Oh Nick would know a lot about the quiet room." Thomas cackled before gulping down more soda.

"Shut. Up. Thomas." Colene warned and grimaced at him; he simply bit into his pizza like some rabid dog and stuck his food covered tongue at her.

"The quiet room is what its sounds like; it's a room where they put patients that get a bit out of control after they give you the shot. It has nothing in it except a small wooden frame with a cushion on top and they keep you in there until you calm down or wake up." He explained and shrugged.

"That's your favorite wittle woom isn't it Nicky?" Thomas teased and rested his hand on the back of his neck squeezing lightly; surprisingly Nick jumped up from the table as he forced away his arm and flipped over his tray in the process.

His breathe was frantic and shuddering and small tears reached the brim of his eyes. His glass of grape juice leaked and dripped over to Jeff and Colene's lap.

"God, no!" He yelled before running out the room and sobbing frantically.

"Nick!' Cricket explained before dropping his food and running after him, to nurses followed after him and Brad from the courtyard quickly approached the table.

"What just happened?" he asked and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Th-thomas just touched h-him and he…" Jeff tried to explain but Thomas's rough glare caused him to stop.

"Thomas decided it would be fun to make Nick upset and got to his…weak spot." Colene sighed and spoke solemnly before glaring over at Thomas.

"It was an accident, Colene is just mad because I was messing with her boyfriend." Thomas sneered.

"Come with me Thomas." Brad ordered and walked Thomas out of the cafeteria holding onto his elbow strongly. Jeff, Blaine, And Kurt eyed Colene curiously it was obvious they wanted to know what just happened.

"It's not my story to tell." She simply sighed before picking up her napkin and patting lightly at her stained pants.

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It was another grim walk back to the main ward; Cricket, Nick, and Thomas were still gone from the group. An older nurse with a pug like face a long gray hair was now leading them back to the rec room.

"Alright everyone just hang here for a little while I try and find some games and puzzles for you guys." The old woman said kindly before leaving the room and the patients unattended. Unlike Blaine and Jeff expected everyone just sat down and quietly chatted with each other, Jeff was pretty sure it might break out into a 21 Monkeys scene.

"Where's Nick?" Kurt asked Colene in sudden panic and worry.

"The quiet room most likely." Colene said sadly and settled into one of the blush cushioned seats.

"You think he's going to be alright?" Blaine and Kurt asked simultaneously causing both boys to giggled and blush.

"I don't know….Blaine, can you get to your dorm?" She suddenly asked suddenly.

"Will I be aloud?" He asked hesitantly.

"Yeah, just say you have to take a piss and that the nurse's bathroom is occupied. It's simple." She shrugged.

"Why do you need him to go back to his room?" Kurt asked.

"I need him to get something for Nick, his notebook. I know it's the one thing that keeps him calm and his Iron Man pen." She informed the boys. Blaine simply nodded before propping himself off the floor and walking out to the room.

"Isn't it a bit pointless since Nick isn't here?" Kurt questioned.

"Cricket understands, he'll let me talk to him and give him his notebook as long s I stay with him when he has them." She explained before standing and smoothing the wrinkles from her shirt.

'I'll see you guys in a few if the old nurse asked I went to talk to Cricket about a personal problem." She said before promptly leaving the room.

"She's one interesting a girl." Kurt sighed and passed his palms over his clothed knees.

"Sh-she's hot." Jeff forced out, he was use to saying things like this but Kurt seemed like someone who could read people easily and that made Jeff nervous. After a few moments of awkward between the two boys Blaine returned to the room holding a stack of different games with the elderly nurse at his side.

"Thank you Blaine you can just set those on the floor." She instructed before sitting down on the couch. Only a few patients grabbed some games and settled in their own groups, Blaine sighed and walked over to Kurt and Jeff and plopped himself on the floor across from them.

They stayed like that for an entire hour switching places and positions until Kurt saw Colene stride back into the room with new unstained pants.

"How's Nick?" Jeff straightened up in his seat.

"He's going to be fine in a little bit he should be okay before dinner hopefully." She sighed and sat in the seat next to Jeff pulling him into a surprise hug he lightly returned the embrace and patted her lightly on the back awkwardly.

"Sorry I just- I just needed that after seeing Nick." She explained as she pulled away, Jeff just nodded and settle back into the chair.

Another half hour passed before Cricket was bringing a tray of chocolate chip cookies and milk into the room.

"Alright guys the ladies in the lunch room made these for you to snack on so everyone grab a carton of milk and one cookie. Also make sure you say thank you at dinner okay and they also made you surprise desert for tonight." He smiled and laid the tray on the small TV stand in the corner. One by one each patient grabbed their snack and sat down.

"Cricket…you think you can give mine to Nick?" Jeff offered quietly as he grabbed his small carton of milk, Cricket sighed at him with a small smile.

"Sure thing bud." He patted Jeff on the shoulder before rapping his cookie in a napkin and grabbing the last carton of milk and walking out the room.

"That was sweet of you." Colene praised before nibbling on her cookie.

"One of you guys want my milk, I don't drink two percent." Kurt stated and held out his carton to his friends. Blaine bit his lip and nodded and took the carton from his hand blushing when he felt Kurt's warm fingertips graze against his own.

"Aw crap I missed snack time!" Thomas's obnoxiously erupted from the doorway and stalked into the room.

Blaine and Jeff immediately groaned in annoyance and returned to eating not paying to Thomas approaching them.

"Oh I see little ol' Nicky is still confined?" He sneered as he sat next to the free spot next to Isabelle causing to shift away.

"Whats wrong Colene don't feel like flirting anymore today?" He chuckled and roughly rubbed his shoulder against her arm.

"Back off man." Blaine warned when he saw how uncomfortable Colene was looking.

"I swear to god Thomas before I get out of here I'm going to find something, something you wouldn't want anyone to know, your week spot, and use it against you so you know how it feels." Colene snapped and pushed him away before shuffling over to Jeff.

"Oh please you'll be in here for the rest of your life with the outbursts you have. Plus I know for a fact I'm getting out here soon." He scoffed and crossed his arms.

"Whatever Thomas hopefully by soon you mean tomorrow just ugh just go!" Colene yelled and bunched her hands into fists. Thomas scoffed once more before standing up and joining another group of patients.

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The four finished off their snacks and sat together quietly until Cricket returned with a small rubber ball.

"Alright guys I picked this up from the half-patients room, it's a conversation starting ball." He tossed the small purple ball with small yellow letters spread around it and caught in his hand again.

"Alright the rules are simple, catch the ball and whatever your right thumb lands on you will do or answer." He stated before tossing it quickly to Colene.

"It says: Name four favorite things in the room." She read from under her thumb and looked around.

"Hmm Blaine, Kurt, Jeff, and of course you Cricket." She giggled before tossing the ball back to Cricket.

"As nice as that was Colene it said things not people." Cricket chuckled before tossing it over to the red headed girl from earlier.

"Pass the ball to someone you do not know." She read before carelessly tossing it to Blaine.

"What is your favorite scent?" He looked puzzled for a second before answering.

"Vanilla." He said with a smile and through it underhand to Cricket.

The game went on for another hour, turns out Kurt loved the mixture of dark chocolate and raspberries, Jeff's favorite song of the moment was Helena by My Chemical Romance, Colene had a phobia of snakes, and Blaine liked to read on his free time.

"Alright guys we got five minutes until dinner so go use the restroom and wash your hands, one at a time." Cricket instructed and placed the ball on the windowsill. Jeff walked out of the room to use the restroom a Kurt decided to take a moment to look out the window.

The sky was now a dark blue with a only a few hints and streaks of the daylight blue. There was nothing passed the big lawn behind the building except for a fence like the one in the yard and even beyond that was just tree's.

"I like that blue, navy blue." Blaine was suddenly standing next to Kurt taking in the view with Kurt.

"I like red, a nice crimson." Kurt didn't know why he said so but it just seemed to be right since Blaine was speaking of colors, now he just felt stupid.

"Do you mind if I ask…why you're here." Blaine spoke low and soft. Kurt quickly peered over to him with big sheepish eyes before facing the window again.

"I…I tried to commit suicide." He mumbled before looking down at his laceless shoes. He felt Blaine's sympathetic eyes on him it was somewhat annoying, what with having to deal with people pitying you through the entire process coming here. But then again Blaine was in here too so maybe he felt the same way.

"W-why are you here? If you're okay with me asking." Kurt was whispering for some reason.

Blaine opened his mouth to answer but was cut of bye Crickets high pitched whistle.

"Alright guys last meal of the day, line up!" He ordered loudly with a chuckle and starting leading everyone to the cafeteria again.

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And there they all were again going down the line getting meatloaf and vegetables plopped onto their plates.

Thomas didn't sit with them this time luckily but they were still missing Nick, Jeff missed his smile a bit. Jeff forced the memory of Nick's pearly whites away and peered over to Colene who was nibbling on a baby carrot.

"So Jeff, your hair, is it natural?" Kurt asked out of the blue, before trying to mumble apologies for being rude.

"It's usually a bit more sandy but uh my mom…she helps me bleach it to make it lighter." He answered honestly.

"Well you take really good care of it, it's so soft." Colene giggled and ran her hand lightly through the side of his head passing through his soft platinum locks.

"Hey Nick." The group suddenly heard Cricket say from across the room. They all looked over to see the slim brunette walking in; his eyes bloodshot and red brimmed. They all watched as he got his food and looked over the tables as if he was trying to find his friends. Colene through her hand in the air and waved him over a small smile tugged at his lips and he walked over and then finally settling in the seat next to Blaine.

The group ate quietly not daring to ask Nick what and why everything happened earlier. Blaine and Kurt stole a few random moments of eye contact from each other make each other blush. Blaine still panicked under Kurt's gaze, he must be making this all up in his head he must be. Kurt couldn't like boys and even if he did Blaine would never be good enough for someone like him.

He seemed so strong willed and confident, basically the opposite if Blaine who was nothing but a coward and an idiot.

"Blaine! Blaine? Damn he's in his own little world there isn't he." Colene's voice and loud snaps broke him away from his thoughts and back to reality.

"There we go he's back with us." She giggled and patted his hand lightly.

"We only have about five minutes and the ladies made chocolate cake so if you want some you might want to go grab it." She suggested as she put a small forkful of cake between her lips.

"Uhm no I- I'm good." He said and lightly pushed away his tray.

He watched as his friends finished their cake occasionally peering over to Kurt who was just being a bit too adorable as he nipped at his slice of cake.

"Alright guys line up and then you get an hour of rec time, then phone calls, and then bed." Cricket informed and began walking back to the main ward.

"So you guys want to hang out in my room?" Nick offered his four friends as they walked.

"C-can we do that?" Jeff asked quietly.

"Yeah, they'll check on us but it still cool." Nick shrugged.

"What about Colene?" Blaine asked looking back at the girl who was simply smiling.

"It's fine she can come too." Nick shrugged once more as they passed through the entry way to the main ward.

"But she's a girl…" Kurt trailed off in confusion.

"Don't question it boys and go with it." She chuckled from behind them.

They started head down the boy's hall and inched closer to Nick and Blaine's room, Nick opened the door and let everyone file in.

Kurt, Jeff, and Blaine stood awkwardly as Colene jumped onto Nick's bed before setting down and Nick sitting down next to her.

"You guys can sit on my bed if you want." Nick offered and scooted closer to Colene to make space.

Blaine simply sat down on his bed and Kurt settled with Colene and Nick, which left Jeff who decided to awkwardly place himself between the beds.

"You boys are too shy and too quiet! Jeff get your ass up here." She tossed Nicks pillow onto the nightstand and patted the new free space. Jeff stood up hesitantly like always and sat next to her feeling her warmth press against his side.

"Blaine do you see any girls you like in the ward?" Colene asked cheekily before hooking arms with Jeff.

"Ah n-no." He answered from his bed that felt like a lonely island.

"Aww not even me?" She gave an exaggerated pout.

"I-I uh…" God, she was like a trap.

"It's okay Blaine you have a type and I respect that." She giggled and passed her fingers lightly over Jeff's forearm.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door and Cricket appeared in the doorway.

"Hey Jeff you got a call it's a bit early but I'll let it slide." He smiled and gestured for Jeff to come off the bed and follow him.

He unhooked his arm with Colene and followed Cricket out the room, leaving his friends behind. When he reached the nurses desk he was immediately handed the phone from the elderly nurse from earlier.

He put this receiver to his ear and was greeted by the sound of pots moving and being slammed around.

"Hello?" he greeted.

"Jeff sweetie!, How are you are you okay?" His mother's shrill voice blared from the other end.

"Yes mom I'm fine it's not too bad here." He sighed and placed his elbow on the desk top.

"Good that's-that's good honey. But Jeff you didn't s-say much at the hospital but….why?" Her voice slipped into a small sob as if she was begging.

"Mom I'd really rather not talk about it over the phone okay? Just- Just put Eli on the phone please?" He requested softly.

He heard the rustle of the phone being passed over and a small childish giggle.

"Jeffie?" a small innocent voice spoke, just the sound of his little brother was going to make him tear up,

"Heyy Eli." He greeted.

"Jeff w-where are you?" the sadness in the child's voice ripped at Jeff's heart.

"I'm with some doctors I'm-I'm sick buddy but I'll get better…soon." He tried to make it sound somewhat simple and innocent.

"Jeffie you could have j-just came to me I can be a doctor." Jeff could hear the pout in his brothers voice.

"I know buddy I know and you're a great doctor but I-I….it's hard to explain Eli but don't worry I'll be home soon and I'll watch American Ninja Warriors with you and…I'll be home soon I promise." Jeff was fighting back tears his brother didn't deserve to see his big brother fall apart he deserved someone strong and inspiring.

"Okay and you better make me sugar cookies too." The small voice demanded making Jeff laugh.

"I'll make you all the sugar cookies you want to worry." He smiled.

"Good…but Jeffie I have to go to sleep will you s-sing me a song you know the one about Moon." Eli asked.

"Of course did you brush your teeth?" Jeff always did this before singing him to sleep making sure he was in clean PJ's and his teeth were clean.

"Yeah let me just get to my bed." He giggled and Jeff could hear the small pitter patter of his feet.

"Okay you can sing now Jeff." He already sounded tired but he always wanted a song no matter what.

"Moon river, wider than a mile
I'm crossing you in style some day
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
Wherever you're going, I'm going your way

Two drifters, off to see the world
There's such a lot of world to see
We're after the same rainbow's end, waiting, round the bend
My Huckleberry Friend, Moon River, and me

Moon river, wider than a mile
I'm crossing you in style some day
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
Wherever you're going, I'm going your way

Two drifters, off to see the world
There's such a lot of world to see
We're after that same rainbow's end, waiting, round the bend
My Huckleberry Friend, Moon River, and me."

Jeff tried his best not to tear up as he sang but once he heard the soft snores from the other end of the phone he was calmed down. He sighed before hanging up the phone and turning around and walking back to Nick's room.

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"Alright boy's I'm off to shower and I'll be back to say goodnight later." Colene waved as she sat up from the bed and walked out the door with a sway in her hips.

"Look's like Colene and Jeff are ahead of you guys, shower time boys." Cricket yelled from the hallway as he passed by.

"Oh uh I sh-should get back to my room." Kurt said in panic and jogged out of the room, leaving the roommates together.

"Do you want to shower because I'm good I mean I took a shower this morning so…" Nick suggested from his bed.

"Yeah it that's ok. Do you mind stepping out?" Blaine asked quietly.

"No problem you might want to get your bin though." Nick informed as he headed out the doorway.

Blaine ignored his last sentence and jogged into the bathroom and began to strip frantically, he slid open the shower curtains and stepped in. The knob was a simple hot or cold knob with a little arrow at the top. Usually when he cut Blaine ran the water cold to lift off the bit of sting if he wanted to get in deep but the he remembered he couldn't cut here. He sighed in defeat and slumped down the wall and turned the knob lazily causing the water to run over his body and seep into his bandages.

He whimpered as he felt the water become almost boiling hot and irritate his open cuts beneath the bandages. Slowly he reached up a shaky hand across his chest and peeled off his binding causing the heavy stream of hot water to directly hit his wounds. He hissed and arched his back at the feeling but let it continue for almost three minutes before his torso became tortuously hot and somewhat stinging.

Soon he put as much feeling he could back in his arm and twisted the knob the opposite direction making the water cool down and sooth his body. The water turned icy in a matter of seconds and caused his knees to lock up and his torso and cuts to become numb. After a few seconds he took control again and switched off the water for good.

He peered down to his cuts that were no longer bleeding but were still flushed red, he then attempted to stand up but quickly stumbled back onto his knees sins his shins were still numb. After sitting in the tub for a few minutes Blaine finally stood up and walked into the room. He quickly tossed on a t-shirt and fresh sleeping pants before throwing himself into the bed and stuffing himself under the sheets.

He heard someone shuffle in and saw with half lidded eyes as the lights were switched off, moments later he felt a small warmth press his cheek.

"Goodnight Blaine." Colene's sweet voice soothed before he heard her walking out of the room, minutes after he heard Nick lay down in his bed he let his drowsiness take over him and pull him into dreams or far much better places. Nick simply stirred and whimpered from his nightmares both boys were lost in their own worlds for now.

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When Jeff walked out of the bathroom with his hair wet and in clean clothes he found Kurt sitting on top of his bed peering out of the small window of their room.

"Hey." He whispered capturing the blue eyed boy's attention.

"Oh Hey." Kurt replied softly before looking back at the window.

When Jeff finally switched off the light and laid himself down on his own bed he realized what Kurt was peering at, the moon. A beam of Light shown through the window and illuminated both Kurt and Jeff's bed perfectly. Soon enough Jeff found himself staring at the sphere of light out the window only as it began to fade away as his eyelids drooped. The last thing he saw was Kurt settling back into his bed and the last thing he felt was warm pressure against his lips.

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