In the morning, me, Malcolm, and all six of the other group members sat at one big table in the main room, which was the room with tile floors and big windows that I had went to when I met the group.
It was breakfast and I sat in between Malcolm and Delilah. They and Dr. Anders seemed to be the only people that weren’t pissed at me.
Malcolm looked at me and said honestly, “Hey, Buddy, you look kind of tired. You okay?”
I glared sleepily at him and Rich came in with Steven.
Rich put bacon, eggs, and toast on a plate and put it on the floor.
Steven barked happily and trotted over to the plate.
Delilah got up and went over to Steven. She took the plate away and said, “Rich, don’t encourage him. You know better than that.”
“Sorry, Delilah.” Rich said guiltily, “I just thought…”
“I know, Rich.” Delilah said, smiling sweetly, “You’re fine, just don’t do it again.”
Rich nodded and sat at the table. He gestured for Steven to follow him.
Right after Rich sat down, he whipped his head to the side and said, “Did you guys see that?”
Delilah and Malcolm exchanged a look and Delilah asked softly, “Did we see what, Rich?”
“Th-the squirrel,” Rich said timidly, “The squirrel that just ran across the table.”
Steven slammed his front paws- Er, his hands down on the table and loudly barked once.
“See?” Rich pointed at him, “Steven saw it! Steven saw the squirrel…”
Delilah turned to Steven and said gently, “Steven, did you see the squirrel?”
Steven nodded energetically and Delilah said, “Steven… Did you really?”
Steven’s face fell and he hung his head guiltily.
Rich’s face fell as well and he said softly, “Oh, sorry. I-it was just my imagination again, I guess…”
Delilah smiled gently and I gave Malcolm a questioning look.
He leaned over and whispered, “I’ll tell you later.”
I nodded and glanced around the table. I caught Sam’s eye and glared at her.
She looked at me questioningly and mouthed, “What?”
I glared more and she cleared her throat.
“Excuse me,” Sam said, “But why are you giving Sam such an awful look?”
Oh, Phil sees how it is! Tell her, Phil.
“What is Sam talking about?” I said mockingly, “Does Sam not know why Phil is giving her such a hateful look? Well-“
“Phil!” Delilah snapped, taking me off guard.
I looked at her and said, “What?”
“Don’t make fun of people,” Delilah said, “It’s very rude and you happen to be in a very sensitive group of people.”
Sensitive? Me?
“I’m not sensitive!” I yelled.
I saw Peter and Sam laughed and slapped high fives and Sam said, “What a moron!”
“Why doesn’t she get in trouble when she makes fun of me?” I said, “I think you’re being discriminatory! Yeah, you are! Delilah is discriminating against the sensitive! She’s saying you need extra help.”
Biased! Everyone is biased here!
“They do need extra help, Phil.” Delilah said firmly, “We need extra help, all of us. That’s why we’re here.”
“Oh, sorry. I thought we were here to see the circus! I guess I’m in the wrong place.” I snarled.
“You’re such an ass.” I heard Rich say, “What’s your problem, Schizo?”
Oh, he did not just go there. Let him have it! Let him have it!
I jumped over the table and tackled Rich, who screamed like a girl.
“Don’t be a baby, fight like a man! Look at you, talkin’ all tough and cowering afterward. You’re sick.”
“Get off! Veronica! Delilah!” Rich cried.
“Phil!” Veronica and Delilah yelled at me.
“What?” I asked.
I looked down; I was on top of Rich, pinning him to the floor.
I got up, holding my hands in the air, “Woah, woah, okay, whatever that just was, it had to be embarrassing.”
I tipped an imaginary hat to Rich and said, “Sorry, Buddy. Nothing personal. Really, especially if that was… Never mind-“
“What is wrong with you?” Delilah yelled at me.
Just then, Dr. Anders stormed into the room and took in Rich’s frightened form, curled up and shaking on the floor.
“What happened?” She asked, clearly trying to sound gentle instead of pissed.
Rich looked at me and didn’t say anything; he just stared at me.
He said, “I fell off of my chair.”
I stared at him, surprised, but I didn’t object.
Dr. Anders glanced around the room and nodded, “Alright, you all be careful.”
She left the room and I turned to Rich, giving him an expectant look.
He just glared at me and shook his head.
Steven trotted over and helped Rich stand up.
Rich sat in his chair and Steven sat on the floor next to him.
Rich patted his head and Delilah gave Steven a look.
Steven bowed his head and grabbed a chair to sit on.
“I can’t believe you.” Veronica said, surprising me.
“What?” I asked.
“You attacked Rich for no reason and he stuck his neck out for you.” Veronica said, icicles dripping from her voice.
I shrugged and said, “Not my fault. He could’ve turned me in.”
“You’re terrible!” Veronica snapped at me.
“Veronica,” Delilah said.
“Veronica,” Rich said, “You really don’t need to-“
“You’re right, Rich.” Delilah said, “She doesn’t need to stand up for you, you need to stand up for you.”
Rich looked terrified and he glanced at me.
“No, please don’t hurt me!” He said, covering his head.
“What?” I said. I hadn’t moved.
“Don’t come any closer,” Rich said, looking like he was going to cry, “Please, don’t come any closer!”
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