Page 88 of Mistaken Prejudice

“For fuck’s sake!” The bed above shook, and two feet hit the ground beside me. “Is crying the only thing you can do?”

With my nose runny and my eyes puffy, I moved my head from my pillow and looked his way. He was crouched on the floor in front of my bunk, with his arms resting on his knees.

He looked much older than me, but everyone did. I was small for my age.

He had dark curls cut short and naturally tan skin that made me feel embarrassed about how pale I was.

I noticed his cute nose and big brown eyes that were so dark they almost looked black. It scared me. He scared me.

“I-I’m sorry,” I mumbled with my face still half stuck in the pillow. “I-I didn’t mean to annoy you.”

“Well, with how much you cry, it’s hard not to be annoyed.” He clicked his tongue and looked the other way before he gave me a once-over.

“How old are you?”

“I’m thirteen,” I answered with a weak voice.

“No shit.” His lips curved into a smile, and I was amazed by how white his teeth were. I didn’t know why it surprised me. Maybe because I assumed that, like me, he didn’t own a toothbrush.

“I thought you were nine or something. I’m fourteen, so we’re almost the same age.”

“Oh.”

“Oh?” he asked, and I didn’t know what to say, so I stayed quiet.

Awkward silence enveloped us, but I didn’t care. At least I was in someone’s company.

“You can call me Diesel.” His voice broke the silence as he held out his hand to me. I pulled my hand out from under the pillow and wiped my tears away before taking his.

“I’m Andrei.”

“Russian?”

I nodded.

“That’s nice.”

“Is it?”

“Yeah.”

“Thank you,” I mumbled and looked down as I felt my cheeks flush. “D-Diesel is cooler.”

“It is, isn’t it?”

“Mhmm,” I murmured.

He laughed, and warmth spread in my chest. I liked the sound of his laugh. It was rich, full, and alive. Like he owned the world.

“We can give you a cool nickname. One that will stick.”

“Yeah?” I asked, and he hummed his agreement before he went silent again.

“From all the tears, I guess it’s your first time?” He finally got up and came to sit on the edge of my mattress. I moved to a sitting position beside him, with my knees hugged close to my chest.

“Yes. What about you? Is it your first time here as well?”

“Me?” He laughed. “It’s my third time, probably not the last one either. But it’s the longest. I’ve been here for eight months already. Six more to go.”