I went over and sat next to him, “So, what do you want to talk about then?”
He stared down at his iPod silently, and then shrugged. “Because,” I continued to fill the silence, “If you don’t want to fall asleep, talking is the best way to stay up.”
After a moment of silence I asked, “What are you listening to?”
His hand clenched tightly around the iPod, his teeth ground together with a snapping sound, “Nothing.”
I waited for him to relax. When he didn’t, I sighed, “Drew. You can’t be listening to nothing.”
He looked away, a vein in his temple throbbing slightly. “Drew,” I said softly, touching his shoulder, “You don’t have to tell me. But I’d like to know.”
Drew didn’t move for a moment, and then he slowly relaxed, “Sorry,” he muttered, “Overreaction.”
I gave him the warmest smile I could muster, “That’s ok. I understand.”
He stared at me for a long moment, “Paige,” he began slowly, “Can I ask you something.”
“Of course, anything,” I smiled.
“Where are your parents?”
Anything but that.