How Green Becomes Wood

"What I remember at that party is like... After she got on one about how beige is a totally valid colour," Sloan rolled her eyes, "Alec looked at me like he was praying I wouldn't get into an argument and I was taken aback because like... I mean, one, that he thought I might do that at his party. Because I absolutely had words and I could have read her to filth right then and there, but like... Time and place. I am very opinionated and I don't suffer fools but I'm not messy, you know? If we were in the cafeteria, things might've been different, but even then I'm not fighting to fight. But like two... I don't know, I think if you have to be on edge all the time about your friends not liking your partner, maybe your partner isn't right for you. Anytime she eats with us at lunch I'm like... Girl you're like sixteen, sit down. And it kinda bums me out that Alec doesn't dye his hair anymore. He's kind of toned himself down. I think that's lame, I don't really get his whole aesthetic, but I respect the hell out of it."
 
"Right? She acts like she's sixteen going on sixty. She's always trying to look down her nose at me. Like, what the hell is her problem? Alec's aesthetic drives me nuts, but I'd fight anyone who tried to dis it. I'm not allowed to fight her, though," he grumbled, crossing his arms. "So I get to watch her slowly drain the color out like she's some kind of color vamp. Did I tell you what she and her parents think about our parents?" He gave her a brief recap. "I understand some ignorance, but this is ridiculous."
 
"You have to stand up for your brother, though," Sloan replied, looking at him, "This is it, you don't fight her, you look at her and calmly ask, why do you think that? and you make her explain. And she will, and you just nod along and ask clarifying clarifying questions. And Alec will hear her whole ideology." She nodded to herself, but then looked at him as he explained what Emma said about his parents, "Dude, that's f***ed. Like, okay, yeah they present a certain way, but your dad literally taught at the high school. You think they'd have more respect for him. My mom is super judgemental, you know that, but even she has to admit Mr. Dark and Daizi are fine. They might've tanked property values, but they're fine enough neighbors. Like oh my god, oh no, he dresses like a vampire." She waved one hand, "It's literally not that deep."
 
"Right?" Xander sighed and dropped his head against the headrest. "I just want one person who will agree with me and say, 'you know what? She's a terrible partner!' But everyone is so damn polite. I tried to bring it up with my parents, but they just try to be all adult and a good example and stuff. You make sense with the clarifying questions and stuff, you do, but every time I try to talk to him about her, or if I try to talk to her, we end up fighting. I don't mind fighting her, but it ends up upsetting him, and then we fight again, and..." He heaved another sigh. "I'm so tired of fighting him. I miss the days when we got along. Really got along. Most of the time, it was because we didn't have a choice, it was literally us against the world, but now that life is easier, it's also a lot harder. It's a lot easier to let stuff get in the way.
 
"That's another reason why she sucks," Sloan replied, "Good partners don't cause their boyfriend to fight with his brother all the time. I don't think it's healthy to refuse to hear your loved one's concerns." Then she paused, thinking about it for a moment longer, "Although... I guess, like, you were so against dating, I wonder if he thinks you're seeing something that's not there because he thinks you're still upset that he did decide to date?"
 
"I hadn't thought of it that way. Maybe. It kind of makes sense," Xander agreed after some thought. "I guess he just thinks I'm automatically biased and doesn't want to listen to me because of that. I mean, it's weird thinking of him dating still, but I don't want to control him like that. I guess we were a little unhealthy with how much we expected each other to follow our own rules or whatever. It's weird, but I'm not against it anymore. I've been getting used to the idea. I'm against her."
 
"And you're allowed to be," Sloan replied, "Like believe me, if I knew this was what she was like when he was first talking to me about her, I wouldn't have been so encouraging. I don't know, like, when I first met you two, you were so codependent it was crazy, but I don't want the two of you to have a total falling out over some girl. Any girl, even if she was great, it's not worth it. Have you considered like... taking him somewhere to really encourage his whole aesthetic? So he can be reminded that there are people in his life who like him because of his style, not despite it?"
 
"We've been trying to go out from time to time and hang out in different places. Kind of like - and this is so weird to say - brother dates or something. I don't think I've ever done exactly that, though," Xander mused. "We've done food stuff, music stuff, horse stuff, even some shopping. Got any ideas I can steal? It's not my thing, so I get a bit stumped."
 
"I don't know, it's not really my thing either," Sloan admitted, "but I guess... He's got that bedazzler, right? You could just have a night in where you offer to do it with him or something."
 
Xander lifted his head to give her a flat look. "That is a brilliant idea, but if it all goes sideways, I'm blaming you," he warned. Then he smirked and shook his head. "Nah. That seriously is a good idea. You know, I've gotten pretty fast at simple, basic belts. I could make him one and then help him bedazzle it. I think he's done a shirt, maybe pants? He was talking about pants. I can help him complete a bedazzled outfit."
 
"Honestly, I'm surprised he doesn't already own a bedazzled belt, but I'm sure he'd love it," Sloan replied, "and it's something he'd be able to wear with most of his outfits, too. Plus... I dunno. I think it'd be meaningful to him for you to go to him with the suggestion. It may kill you, but even outside of the drama with his girlfriend, I bet he'd have a great time."
 
"Nah, you're right. It's a great idea," Xander nodded. "Thanks. He'll love it, and, who knows? Maybe it'll be a bit fun, even. As long as he doesn't make me wear a fully bedazzled belt. I'd consider a shirt with a few on like the shoulders or sleeves or something, but not all out."
 
Xander snorted but nodded. "There is a chance, I suppose. There's also a risk that he'll try to talk me into selling bedazzled stuff in my online shop." He smirked at that thought. "That'd be something else."
 
"Customer optimization is always a bonus," Xander agreed. "And I bet he'd enjoy helping out and getting a small commission for it. He's been doing pretty good with not buying random stuff and bringing home every free thing he sees. That's a relief."
 
"I think I follow that," Xander said thoughtfully. "I don't like having a lot of stuff. It makes me start feeling panicky. Not sure why. I think it's the burning building problem."
 
"Yep. It used to be we had to be ready to leave any place at any time, sometimes literally immediately. So, Alec and I each had a backpack we took everywhere. There were a lot of times that if it didn't fit in the bag, it didn't get taken. I have more stuff than could fit in a backpack anymore, but it's that idea."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top