How Green Becomes Wood

"I know," Milo said, ducking his head down, "but I still don't want to... I don't know... seem like I'm taking advantage or anything. But I guess the different flavors probably cost the same, right? I don't think they'd have different costs."
 
"The flavors all cost the same, and it does not cost very much to add a topping or two or even three," Alec assured him. "It is no problem at all, and I promise I do not feel taken advantage of."
 
Having been given the sort of permission that suggested he would feel worse if he didn't listen, Milo ended up ordering a cone of chocolate-cherry ice cream with marshmallow toppings, but he didn't get any toppings beside the marshmallow and quietly thanked Alec more than was necessary.
 
Alec had only intended to get the mint chocolate chip without any toppings, but he didn't want Milo to feel weird, so he added sprinkles (that fell everywhere) and chocolate syrup. He patiently listened and accepted all of Milo's thank yous and did not try to fight them.

Xander got vanilla, as stated, and fudge topping. Then he led the way to the small tables outside and chose a chair with the back to the wall.

"It's a nice day out," Alec commented.
 
"Interesting." Milo said, looking up at the trees, "I've had some years where I've pretty much only had good weather, with the way we moved, and some where we've had the worst of each climate. It's weird to actually see so many seasons in the same place."
 
"I always do. I never liked when we went to a place that didn't have one. I really liked California, but I missed seasons." Milo said as he ate his ice cream, "It was weird how the leaves didn't turn colours. But I loved the ocean."
 
"We should go together to the Atlantic ocean! It's not that far away," Alec grinned. "Maybe our next long break, we can go together like a short road trip! We wouldn't be too long. Not even a full week."

Xander deliberately slurped his ice cream. "Sounds great, but considering there's currently only one driver in this group, that's a bit to ask, don't you think?"

"Are you less of a driver than our Da?" Alec challenged with a grin.

"Yes," Xander said without hesitation.
 
Alec waved a hand lightly. "Never mind. It doesn't really matter. It'd still be fun to do a road trip, I think. Sloan would probably like to come, and maybe Peter!"

"Not everyone likes road trips, and you've already brought it up to Milo," Xander reminded him.

Alec wilted. "Oh, right. I forgot. Sorry."
 
"If Sloan goes, you'd have two drivers. That's better for a road trip anyway. And I'm getting my license soon, too." After a few moments he furrowed his eyebrows and said, "I don't really know if I'd like a road trip. It's sort of weird. So much of my life has been spent driving somewhere new, and I have a lot of good memories being in the car with my mom, we'd eat twizzlers, and make sudden stops at roadside attractions, because most of the time we weren't in a rush, not after we were on the road. But I've never... been on one that was only meant to be fun. And rarely with so many people."
 
"Well, if you et really itchy feet, it might e a nice way to scratch them. If you ever decide you want to give a road trip a try, just let us know and we'll work out the details then like who and how many and where," Alec smiled.
 
"You have plenty of time to think about it, if you even decide you want to ever do it," Alec told him. "Sometimes you don't know if something is good or bad or middle ground until you try, but there is nothing wrong with not trying sometimes, too. I doubt this would ever come about, but if we ever do arrange a road trip, you are invited, and there would be no hard feelings if you said no."
 
"Yeah but if it turned out bad, and it was on w a road trip, that'd ruin a lot of things for a lot of people. Because either we'd go back or I'd me miserable and annoying or I'd spend all my money on a greyhound bus or a plane or hitchhike back so everyone else could go on without me, but then everyone else would feel weird about it." Milo said, immediately catastrophizing.
 
"Or you'll realize it was a mistake soon enough for us to turn around and at the very least drop you off, or call for someone to pick you up," Alec said patiently. "Or you would have a completely neutral time and feel kind of bored. Or maybe you'd have a fun time! You never know, but you remember what Sloan was saying at lunch?"

"He wasn't with us at lunch," Xander pointed out.

"Oh, right, well, Sloan said something cool at lunch today about grades and applied it to other things. She said that if you set out saying that you'd be bad at something or were too stupid for it or any variation thereof that it'd be a self-fulfilling prophecy. It's better to at least say how you were going to do your best, and things would turn out much better," Alec said before hurriedly slurping some dripping ice cream.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top