I've always really liked the Subsonics. Odd signed as they placed the last of his posters up on the wall. Ulrich had to admit, they complemented the rest of the room nicely. He didn't feel at all overwhelmed like he originally thought he would.

Me too. Ulrich signed back. I've always really wanted to go to one of their concerts. Odd smiled brightly at this, hopping back onto his bed and motioning for Ulrich to join him. The German boy smiled lightly and joined Odd on his bed, slipping off his shoes and sitting cross legged to face him. It was amazing how well the two already got along, despite the fact an hour ago Ulrich would've been convinced getting a roommate was the end of the world. Odd shuffled through his bag for a second before pulling out a small notebook.

My sister took me to one when I was going through a bad time. It was a bit too much, very loud and a lot of people. I still have a few pictures though. Odd said, opening the journal to the middle, several photos loose but still in perfect condition. Ulrich took a few of them and smiled at the photos. Odd still had that same pensive look on his face, but the small smile showed he was truly attempting to enjoy himself. Ulrich could only assume how he'd do in a room full of loud, screaming teenagers, but it was a good thought nonetheless. Apparently, Odd had the same thoughts as well.

"How are we doing, boys?" Ulrich's head shot up at the sound of Jim's voice. Odd gave the man a thumbs up.

"I'm showing Ulrich some photos of the time I went to a Subsonics concert. He said he'd like to go someday." Odd said, slightly shocked by the surprised look Jim now sported. Ulrich bit back a smile, knowing that the other had always tried to get Ulrich to speak about his likes and what he wanted to do, but never could get him to open up about it. "Did I say something wrong?" Odd suddenly asked, and Jim was quick to reassure him that he had not.

I don't speak a lot. Ulrich signed to Odd behind the other boy's journal, and Odd nodded his head in understanding.

"Well, I'm glad that everything is going well. I'll order you both some lunch and you can chill out a bit before group therapy." Jim said, walking swiftly out of the room. Odd sighed and flopped back on the bed. Ulrich took quick notice that the boy's shirt had ridden up slightly to reveal his stomach, and it was with a sickening feeling he spotted scars littering the boy's olive toned skin.

Those don't fit you. Ulrich signed, and Odd quickly pulled his shirt back down to cover them. Ulrich wasn't shocked by the reaction, and he made no move to show that he felt anything over what he had said. It was true, the scars didn't fit someone like Odd. The smaller boy wasn't made to be damaged, and Ulrich knew it already despite only knowing the boy for a few hours.

Sorry, wasn't thinking. Odd said in response, and Ulrich shook his head. Thinking for just a moment, Ulrich threw caution to the wind and lifted his sleeve up slightly, revealing the angry red marks littering his upper arm. Odd sat back up and stared intently at them, his hands fiddling lightly at his sides. The Italian eventually looked back up at him questioningly, and Ulrich pulled the sleeve back down.

I don't like feeling alone. Ulrich said, and even shocking himself, he realized he had mouthed the words along with his hands. Odd smiled lightly at him, taking notice of that fact as well.

Well, you won't be alone anymore. Odd exclaimed, giving Ulrich a thumbs up as he finished his set of words. Ulrich grinned at the smaller boy, head turned to look down at the ground. Ulrich felt a small inkling in the back of his brain, almost an itch that he could never scratch if he tried. Ulrich was never the type to warm up to people this quickly, and he could only assume that Odd wasn't either. Was that weird? Odd signed to him, and Ulrich shook his head negatively.

I'm glad. Ulrich said, and the smile Odd sent him was one he could only describe as something he'd missed. It was a weird way to describe a feature of someone he'd just met, but there was no other way to describe it accurately. The smile was so soft and barely noticeable, but more genuine than any of the other's he'd seen on the boy's face since he'd first arrived. It was then that Odd looked up and caught his stare, and for a moment Ulrich felt like he'd finally found out what home felt like. He'd never felt more secure in another person's presence.

"Ding, ding. Lunch is here." The two boys jumped as the large nurse walked into the room, a cart with two identical lunch trays sat on top. "Did I scare you?" Jim laughed, placing a tray on Ulrich's desk and handing the other to Odd.

I want to eat here. Ulrich said, sending a small glance Odd's way. Jim was taken by surprise, but nodded despite that. He picked the tray up and handed it to Ulrich, sending the two a small wave before walking back out into the hallway. Ulrich took a quick inventory of his tray, eyebrow raising as he found he didn't recognize a single thing on it. The very typical sandwich, soup, and milk assortment replaced with spaghetti and meatballs, chips, and cold tea. Ulrich took one of the chips off his plate, placing it into his mouth and chewing delicately. The taste wasn't bad, and he couldn't find a reason not to eat the rest.

Not like it? Ulrich asked as he noticed the boy beside him picking at his food. The blonde startled a bit, quickly masking his surprise with a fake smile and a shake of his head.

Just thinking. My bad. He said back, shoveling the food quickly into his mouth. Ulrich wondered if the boy knew he couldn't fool him with his little lies that probably worked on every other person on the planet. Ulrich finished off the last of his chips, staring wide eyed as Odd took a last bite of his spaghetti, his entire plate empty. Wow, that kid really had a stomach, Ulrich thought. I'm going to run to the bathroom. Odd said, placing his tray back onto the cart Jim left behind. Ulrich nodded his head and waited until the door clicked shut before placing his tray on the bed and jogging over to the bathroom door.

There it was, Ulrich thought. The faint sound of gagging, something hitting the water, and finally the toilet flushing and sink water running. The German boy quickly made his way back to the bed, shoving a few more bites of food in his mouth so as to not look as if he'd stopped eating. The brunette wasn't shocked by the revelation, but he still didn't think he was ready for Odd to know he knew just yet. It was obvious the Italian didn't want anyone to know about his condition, if leaving it out of his introduction was any indication. He'll tell me when he's ready, Ulrich said to himself.

By the time the bathroom door opened again, Ulrich had all but finished his food. A couple more bites of spaghetti left and a few sips of the tea. Group therapy? Odd signed to him, sitting next to him on the bed again.

Boring. Nothing more I can say on it. Ulrich responded, finishing off his food and placing it next to Odd's tray on the cart. The smaller nodded and laid back against his pillow, hand protectively covering his stomach. One day, Ulrich hoped, the two of them would be close enough they could open up fully about the reasons they were here. He didn't doubt very much that they would, but he was known to be wrong in the past.

"Oh, Ulrich, sweetheart!" Ulrich heard someone call, and for the first time since he'd arrived he let out an audible groan. Odd laughed beside him, looking outside the door. Not long after Sissi Delmas walked through the door, hands clasped together in front of her. Ulrich could only assume she was trying to look either cute or seductive, neither of which truly came off on him. "Hello, dear. I just came to meet your new burden." Sissi said, not even attempting to catch herself for being rude. Ulrich's face twisted into a frown, his heart sinking as Odd's face twisted into a self loathing grimace. No, no one made Odd look that way. Especially not the string bean in front of him. "I just came to tell you it's time for you to escort that one to crazy corner. Oh also, that Chinese girl got put with Mrs. Jeremy Belpois. How fun is that?" Ulrich was fuming, and he could feel his brain slowly lose control over the rest of his body. If he didn't calm down now, he knew he'd do something he'd regret later.

"Ulrich?" He heard Odd say beside him, and it was strange to hear his voice directed at him. It wasn't until the smaller boy's hand rested itself on his arm that he looked over to him, worry plastered over his face. "Hey, it's okay." Odd said, rubbing his hand up and down Ulrich's arm. Ulrich took a deep breath, breathing in and out like Jim always told him. The German boy looked up to see a very startled and slightly annoyed Sissi, the girl scoffing before turning away.

"I can't believe that anorexic freak thinks he can just touch my Ulrich! He hasn't even known him for more than two hours!" She shouted towards her two friends standing outside the room. Ulrich lost it then, ripping his arm out of Odd's hand and stalking quickly behind her. The two friends that had accompanied her shook with fear and ran the opposite direction, screaming for help as the German boy closed in on their friend.

"No! Ulrich, stop!" Odd said, wrapping his arms around Ulrich's waist. The German boy attempted to shake him off, a growl escaping his lips as his eyes trained on the fearful green ones in front of him. How dare she talk about Odd like that. How dare she call him a freak. "Ulrich, please." The voice behind him was tearful and sad, and even in his anger filled mind he knew that wasn't right. That voice didn't fit the person it was coming from, and with a shaking frame he turned toward the boy still holding tightly onto his waist. Odd looked up at him with pleading eyes.

"What helps you? Let me help you, Ulrich." Odd said, looking into his eyes. There it was again, that feeling of home. That feeling of safety, and with a sense of finality, Ulrich took a deep breath in and out. "There you go, in and out." Odd said, loosening his hold on the other boy significantly. Ulrich grasped at the younger's arms, eyes closed tightly as his head began to pound. "I'm not going anywhere, promise. Come on, let's lay down." Odd said, leading Ulrich back to his bed, looking behind him to see both Delmas and Jim watching him in puzzled amazement, Sissi hiding behind her father. Odd assisted Ulrich in laying down on his bed, pulling the covers up to his waist and running back to the bathroom for a small towel and cool water. Once he finished ringing out the towel, he made his way back to the room and placed in gently over the taller boy's head.

"Odd, that was really something." Delmas suddenly said, walking slowly into the room. "I've never seen someone with the ability to calm him that fast in all the time he's been here." Jim joined Delmas as they both stood next to Ulrich's bed, the gym teacher placing a gentle hand on Ulrich's shoulder.

"We click well." Odd said simply, shifting the rag slightly over the boy's forehead. Delmas nodded, hearing the edge of hurt lingering in the boy's voice.

"Odd," Delmas said, pulling a chair up to sit next to where Odd sat on Ulrich's bed. "I must apologize for Sissi's behaviour. She really was once a very nice girl, but when she became sick, she lost the ability to filter out what she thinks and what she says." Odd looked down sadly, playing idly with his pant legs.

"She's right." Odd said quietly, and the smaller was shocked as he felt Ulrich's hand grasp his own. Odd looked down and tears filled his eyes and Ulrich shook his head, eyes open just enough to look into Odd's own.

"Child, listen to me." Delmas said, placing a gentle hand over Odd's bony shoulder. "Everyone here has something about themselves that they may not like. Something that they may not be able to change, or something they're working to change. Regardless, no one here is any less than anyone else. You, my child, are not a freak. You are here to get better, and we intend to help you." Tears fell slowly down Odd's cheeks, and he worked quickly to wipe them away. Jim came around the side of the bed and wrapped a strong arm around the young boy.

"We're a family here, kid. A dysfunctional, rather crazy family, but you get the picture." Jim said, patting the boy on the back. Odd smiled lightly at both of them, wiping away the remainder of his tears.

"Don't cry." The three people occupying the room shot their heads down toward the figure lying on the bed.

"Ulrich, did you just-?" Jim said, leaning down to be eye level with where Ulrich was lying. The strong man had never heard the child's voice in all the time he'd been there, and it was clear that said voice hadn't been used in quite a long time. Ulrich had spoken hoarse and deep, a small cough escaping his throat as he attempted to speak again.

"Don't want to see you upset over her." Ulrich said, and Delmas and Jim let out an excited gasp. They couldn't believe it, a whole year with nothing but sign language and two hours with the new kid and Ulrich was speaking.

"I'm okay, I was just worried about you." Odd said, smiling slightly. Ulrich nodded and closed his eyes again, groaning as the pain in his head continued on unrelenting.

"I'll-I'll go get some medicine for your headache, Ulrich." Jim said dazed, walking out of the room to retrieve something for the German boy. Ulrich reverted back to signing again, a quick thank you directed his way. Delmas wondered idly if Ulrich would still continue to sign with the rest of the staff, and reserve his spoken words for his new friend. Only time would tell.

"Will he be okay?" Odd asked, looking back to stare at Delmas. The boy looked far too innocent to have dealt with all the things Delmas knew he had, and with a small pat on the back the Dean nodded.

"He will be fine after a good nap and some Advil." Delmas responded, thanking Jim as he handed two little red pills and a cup of water to the man.

"Alright, Ulrich. Do you think you could sit up for me so we can get some medicine in you?" Ulrich nodded idly, lifting himself with difficulty off his bed. Odd quickly placed his arms underneath the boy, assisting him into a sitting position and holding him there as he swallowed the pills and downed the rest of the water. Odd laid him gently back down against his pillow, the brunette falling into a fitful sleep immediately after. "You two act like you've known each other for years." Delmas said, his voice contemplative and quiet.

"Strange, huh? I never even got along with my friends from school." Odd said, shaking his head as a slight dizzying sensation began to overcome him. No, this is not the time! Odd shouted at himself, holding his hands together in an attempt to stop the shaking. Not now, don't do this now.

"Odd?" He heard Jim call to him. "I think he's having a panic attack." Jim said, lifting Odd off the bed and placing him down in his own. He still felt as if he had some sort of control over his body, but the feeling was fleeting. It wasn't long after he felt as if he could've been dead, his heart beating so fast it was making him sick.

"Odd, listen to me, child. You have to breath." Delmas said, his hand rubbing comfortingly over the blonde's forehead. Odd could only focus on the horrible pain in his chest and the overbearing feeling of not being able to take a breath, his vision became fuzzy as he gave up on breathing all together.

"Odd! Jim, call for someone." Delmas said, rubbing two fingers over the boy's sternum. "He's not breathing." Jim ran out of the room, calling for a crash cart. "Come on, Odd." Delmas tilted the young boy's head back, opening his mouth with his thumb. It wasn't long after that a set of different nurses entered the room, an oxygen bag placed over the boy's mouth immediately. A few pumps of air in, and Delmas saw the distinct rise and fall of the boy's small chest. He allowed himself to exhale deeply, relief flooding through him as the boy's eyes opened tiredly.

"I've never seen such a thing." Jim said, standing next to the Dean as they both watched over the boy in front of them. It was true, Delmas was well aware that many patients had difficulty breathing during panic attacks, but he'd never had one simply stop breathing before. It was for sure something he'd have to have Odd's primary care doctor look into.

"I'll tell Yolanda immediately. It's possible we may be dealing with something more than depression, anxiety, and bulimia with this one." Delmas sighed as he listed the three things off, hating the fact the frail child in front of him was burdened with so many things. On top of that now, he may have a physical affliction that needed to be dealt with as well. Jim stepped forward and took the oxygen bag from the nurses, dismissing them back to their other positions. The nurse removed the bag from the blonde's face, setting up a nasal cannula and placing it into the boy's nose.

"So much for introducing him in group therapy today." Jim said, attempting to lighten the mood for the both of them. Delmas nodded and sighed, staring sadly down at Ulrich. The boy was restless, arms and legs twitching and soft sounds of distress leaving the boy's mouth.

"I'm going to go back to my office and send a quick message to Yolanda regarding Odd. I don't want them left alone until they're both conscious at least." Delmas said, preparing to walk out the door. Jim nodded in agreement and pulled a chair up in between the two beds, eyes flitting between the two boys in concern. "If you get busy, or if something comes up, ask one of the nurses or maybe even Jeremy to sit in with them if it gets too hectic." Jim nodded in understanding, and with that the Dean left. Jim sighed audibly, eyes trained on Odd's tiny form. His breathing was still shallow, even with the oxygen consistently pumping into his body. The former gym teacher lifted himself out of his seat and increased the settings just a bit higher, hoping it would help the boy be more comfortable.

"Ulrich," Jim said as he came to stand next to the fretful child, the other not giving any indication he had heard him. "I know you're really upset right now. I would be too if I was in your shoes, but you have to listen to me if you can. I need you to breath deeply, whether it's in your dreams or in reality. 5 seconds in, 5 second hold, 10 seconds out." With a sense of pride, Jim took notice that the fourteen year old's breathing began to even out, his restless fidgeting ceasing altogether as he fell into a deep sleep.

"What am I going to do with you two? Already tag teaming on me!"