Morningside Cuesta I've often wished I could walk away from myself

Recently, Hawthorn had been staying near the back of the group. He'd been isolating himself from the strangers, and only huddling near those he was familiar with, but even those were rare. Mostly, the boy kept to himself and observed others quietly, getting to know them in his own way. So, even though he knew next to nothing about them, he'd already memorised their routines, their little quirks and those little things that made them unique.

Others might find it creepy, but he found it useful. Much more useful than communicating with them, and being social. God, that was a nightmare. Still, Haw decided that he shouldn't isolate himself too much and slowly, stealthily, made his way over to Kieran, giving him an affectionate nudge to the cheek before silently waiting by his side. He would wait and see what would happen.