Black Out Days

He thought for a moment, letting out a small sigh. “Let’s see… Nineteen years?” He said, admittedly a bit surprised. It was the first time he’d really said exactly how long he’d been there out loud.

She couldn't help but be slightly shocked. Nineteen years was a fairly long time and there wasn't much to do around here. "What have you been doing for nineteen years?"

"Jesus…"

"Wait... Actually, its been eight years now that I think about it."

He reluctantly took the drawing, looking over it quickly with an almost surprised expression, not knowing what to say. “Oh,” He murmured bashfully. “Er, thank you.”

She nodded and a moment of awkward silence passed. "So, erm, how long have you been here?"

"How long have you been here?"

"A year... I think."

"Oh, uhh… no. I just—— I was lost in thought for a moment there. Sorry.”

"It's no problem."

He didn’t quite know what sort of reaction he was expecting, but that wasn’t it. Even so, he had to stop himself from smiling when she took the notebook. “Er, you’re welcome,” He replied, a bit ungracefully. Christoph wasn’t necessarily accustomed to random acts of kindness, so even he wasn’t sure why he gave a notebook away to a stranger.

It was a quick sketch, not much effort was put into it. But it came out better than she thought it would have. She smiled at the finished piece and slid it over to him, not a single word spoken. Katja found that conversing would result in becoming closer to people and she didn't necessarily prefer starting friendships.

"Don’t apologize for caring. That’s a nice human trait that somehow you still have intact, while I on the other hand, lost that in seven days."

"I wouldn't necessarily say that its still intact... That's erm unfortunate."

"I don’t think anyone can help me now." 

"... Sorry for asking."

"Oh," He said again, nodding a bit. "That’s cool." Another awkward silence followed his words.

Her eyes widened slightly at the notebook that he placed on the table and a small smile appeared on her features. "Thank you." She didn't know what else to say so she gingerly slid the notebook towards herself and began sketching the young man on the first blank page she could find.

He glanced down towards the paper for a split second, pursing his lips. “Do you like to draw?” He asked hesitantly.

"Yes..." She paused, debating whether to say the next bit or not. "I was an art student."

"Oh." He paused awkwardly. "Fun here, in’nit?" He asked, sarcasm evident in his tone.

She nodded and began to draw on the back of the flyer in attempt to block him out, not necessarily in the mood for small talk. As if she ever was.

"Christoph.

"A year, I think."

"Do I look like I need help?

"Katja... You?"

"…For fuck’s sake, I wasn’t even looking at you."

"A 'no' would have been fine."