“Together in Atlantis”

My life always felt like some kind of beautiful dream; a dream from which I knew, I’d wake up abruptly.

Many people used to call me the Golden Boy, mostly because of my blond hair, but not only; also because of my school performance and generally perfect life.

Yet now, when I look at the mirror, and my grey eyes stare sadly at me, I only feel angry about the memories that this nickname brings to me.

I wish, I could go back to that phase of my life, that utopian dream, but it’s not possible anymore...

The social worker has just left me on this decaying sidewalk, with empty promises to revisit soon. Her eyes filled with pity somehow only made me feel even more enraged than I already am. I know that she doesn’t really care about me or my story; she deals with teens losing their parents nearly every week. It’s her job to bring them into this orphanage.

I’ve inherited my parents’ apartment after their death; of course. However, because I’m only seventeen, and there isn’t any other family member who could take care of me, I’m not allowed to stay there on my own. It’s a ridiculous rule; the last thing that I need right now, is a change of the environment, but there’s nothing I can do, except telling myself, it’s just a year.

As the social worker drives away, I turn my face away, doing my best not to think about that damn car that took away my parents' lives. It was stolen by a drunk fifteen year old. It took one idiot and some alcohol to take away three lives, and ruin the future of two families.

I glance up, at the orphanage’s iron gates. Somehow, I don’t have a good feeling about them... I get chills at the thought of how grim the reality behind them may be. I’ve never heard anything good about places like these...

Still, standing outside and overthinking things, isn’t really going to help.

I enter the courtyard, surrounded by tall stone walls. Looking at them makes me think of Pink Floyd’s famous hit, Another Brick In The Wall. It plays in my memory, as I look at the path leading to the old, neglected building.

A middle-aged woman wearing grey is waiting for me by the main entrance. She sends me a tired smile, like she’s been working here without breaks, for a long, long time. “Nikos Petrakis, right?”

“Yeah, that’s me,” I say, adjusting my sports bag.

“Great! My name is Dimitra Levidis. Let me give you a warm welcome...” And she briefly hugs me. She seems to be a person who cares... unlike that stern social worker. However, right now, it doesn't even matter to me. I just want this day to end. Sleep is the only thing that can make me feel better...

But there’s still plenty of time till the evening, and Dimitra shows me around. The hallways are all filled with grim-looking paintings and fading lamplight. Some frilly cushions, paper sheets and broken crayons lay down on the polished marble floor. Some kids probably played here not so long ago and didn’t clean up...

“That's the library and studying room...” Dimitra says, opening one door after another.

The most notable place from all she’s showing to me, is the back patio. I would expect the garden surrounding it, to be a little more curated, though. Instead, the grass is quite long already, with lone dandelions growing here and there. For an odd reason, they too feel orphaned to me...

Eventually, it’s time to see my new room, and meet my companion as well. Dimitra gently knocks on the door, then waits a second.

“Yes?” A friendly-sounding, masculine voice answers from the other side. “Come in!”

She pulls the handle, and we pause in the doorframe. My roommate turns out to be a young guy with long, crimson hair gently touching his shoulders. He’s wearing all black, and reading a book on one of the twin beds; the window above it is open, and the cold light, and fresh rainy air, comes in.

“Kostas Samaras, this is your new roommate, Nikos Petrakis,” Dimitra says, a bit formally.

Kostas nods, and says hello. I mutter something similar and awkward silence falls between us.

“The supper will be ready in one hour,” Dimitra informs us in the end, and leaves.

I keep standing in the doorframe, not sure of what to do. After a couple of seconds, I realize, I’m waiting for Kostas’ invitation to come in, but there’s none, he just keeps reading his book, which must be quite gripping. I can’t see what it’s about, though, as he holds it at an angle.

So, my attention naturally shifts to the surroundings; the room looks like a comfortable place, with solid desks and worn wardrobes, and a private bathroom.

I can totally envision myself living here... Still, the thought of sharing the room with a total stranger feels uncomfortable. What if he’s a thief, or something?

“Hey, Nikos...” Kostas starts lazily, finally raising his gaze at me. “You know you can come in... Right?”

There’s no mocking tone in his voice; he’s just trying to speak his mind.

“Yeah, sure,” I step inside at last, and close the door behind me. I put my sports bag on the floor and open the wardrobe next to my bed; it’s empty, besides someone’s gray hoodie. I slowly take it out.

“Oh, sorry,” I hear Kostas’s voice behind me. “I’ve totally forgotten about it... I just couldn’t fit it anywhere. Do you mind if it stays there?”

“No, not at all.”

“Great, thanks!”

I start unpacking. After finishing with the clothes, I put important clutter in the desk, remembering to leave one free drawer for school supplies and new textbooks. I should receive them later, at least, that’s what the social worker promised me...

“So, how old are you?” Kostas asks.

I look at him; he’s sitting straighter now, his finger marking the right page of the book that he’s already closed. It’s some sci-fi novel, but the action seems set underwater.

“I’m seventeen,” I respond. “And you?”