“How come you’re here?” Baran asked.
“I aged out of group homes. You’re lucky you’re here. Daddy Darien will fix you up like he did us.”
Just as Baran began to feel comfortable, the door opened and a tall, muscular guy, with a shaved head and a tattoo of a hawk on his left arm among other tats, entered.This has to be Hawk.
Hawk’s piercing blue eyes immediately locked onto Baran, a scowl darkening his face. “What the hell are you doing in here?” he demanded, his voice harsh and accusatory.
Baran tensed, feeling the hostility radiating off Hawk. “I live here now,” he replied evenly, keeping his voice steady. Upset but determined, he was ready to confront the thug.
“Baran came from Turkey and now he’s homeless. His father disowned him,” Silas explained.
Hawk’s glare intensified. “I don’t want some Turkish guy in here,” he spat, the words laced with prejudice. “You’re probably a Muslim, aren’t you?”
Baran’s stomach churned at the accusation. “I’m not a Muslim,” he said, his voice firm. “I don’t practice any religion.”
Silas stepped between them; hands raised in a calming gesture. “Hey, Hawk, chill out. Baran’s like us, needing a place to stay. There’s no need for this hate.”
Finley, meanwhile, stayed silent on his bunk, eyes wide, clearly uncomfortable with the confrontation.
Hawk’s anger didn’t dissipate easily. “I don’t give a fuck,” he growled. “I don’t trust him.”
Baran felt a mix of anger and sadness at the unjustified hostility. “Look, I’m just trying to get by, like everyone else here. Like Silas said, there’s no need for this hate.”
Silas kept his voice soothing. “Hawk, we all have our struggles. Let’s try to help each other, okay? We’re supposed to be a community here.”
Hawk finally seemed to relent, though his expression remained guarded. He removed his clothes, pulled his bedcovers down and turned away, muttering under his breath.
“Everyone shut the hell up. I have to get up early. Some of us work,” Hawk said, then slid under the covers. The room was chilly.
As the tension slowly ebbed from the room, Baran took a deep breath, grateful for Silas’s intervention. He glanced over at Finley, who gave him a small, reassuring nod. Despite the rocky start, Baran felt a flicker of hope that he could find his place here and that things would get better. He felt a sense of camaraderie with Silas, and he was grateful to have found a friend in thisnew and uncertain environment. It wouldn’t be easy, but with support like Silas’s, he knew he could handle it.
Baran waited in his room, a mix of anticipation and nostalgia swirling within him. His father had once mentioned taking him ice skating in New York City, but he had doubted that would come to pass and now knew it never would. The prospect of going with Darien however, filled him with a distinct sense of excitement.
When Darien knocked on his door, Baran’s heart leaped. He opened the door to find Darien standing there with a warm smile, a backpack slung over his shoulder.
“Ready to go?” Darien asked.
“Absolutely,” Baran replied, grabbing his jacket.
As they drove to Rockefeller Center, the conversation flowed easily, the city lights blurring into a festive backdrop.
“Did you ever visit your father in New York City?” Darien asked, glancing over at Baran.
“No,” Baran admitted. “But I’ve wanted to.”
Darien smiled, his grip on the steering wheel relaxing. “Well, today’s the day. You’re going to love it.”
When they arrived at Rockefeller Center, the sight of the iconic ice rink took Baran’s breath away. The glittering lights, the towering Christmas tree, and the joyful skaters created a magical scene.
Darien reached into his backpack and pulled out a pair of brand-new black skates, handing them to Baran. “I got these for you. Thought you might like them.”
Baran’s eyes widened in surprise and gratitude. “Thank you, Darien. This means a lot.”
They laced up their skates and stepped onto the ice. They glided across the rink, laughter and conversation filling the air.
As they skated, Baran felt a sense of freedom and joy he hadn’t experienced in a long time. Darien’s presence was comforting, his encouragement boosting Baran’s trust of Darien with each lap around the rink. The crisp air was invigorating as they moved around the ice in sync.
At one point, Darien skated ahead, turning to face Baran with a grin. “You’re a natural, Baran. Look at you go!”
