How Green Becomes Wood

Alec didn't reply to that, but a bit of sadness settled over his expression before he could chase it away with a smile. Emma was not really a fan of most of their group. She liked Sloan and Peter well enough, but she was threatened by Becky, found Tom intolerably annoying (he'd grown apart from the group anyway), didn't like Xander, and usually forgot Milo existed.
 
"Absolutely," Alec assured her. "I'm getting a manicure with one of my best friends, stealing her away from my brother - which is always a bonus - and having a thoroughly enjoyable time."
 
"I agree. Yours are looking really good, as well. I think they are going to look fantastic with your leotard," Alec told her. "You are going to absolutely slay any fashion competition."
 
"Thank you very much. That's a high compliment," Alec smiled, "but I don't think I could rock a leotard as well as you." He winked to show he was joking. "Seriously, I know it's not high up on your priorities, but you look amazing when you are out there rocking the bars or the floor or the beam or anything else."
 
"I appreciate that, but it's really not hard to style something when it's a single piece of clothing and you can't wear shoes or jewelry," Sloan pointed out, "I do look good in it, but I don't know if it speaks to mu fashion sense."
 
"Thank you. I like how I dress, i just don't know if gymnastics is where I get to show that off though," Sloan said, "I'm excited for when I'm out on my own and don't have someone pestering me about how I dress all the time."
 
"I guess sometimes it does still feel like being ignored," Sloan answered, chewing on her bottom lip for a moment, "Like yeah she's giving me attention, but she's not really responding to me. Just who she wishes I was, so it's like... she's speaking at me but not actually... I don't know. I guess it's like it feels like she's speaking to her daughter, but not the full person. If that makes sense."
 
"Yeah, exactly," Sloan agreed, "and it always pisses me off when I meet someone who hears me complain about my mom, and they go off on me for not respecting her, or not being grateful enough, despite not even knowing her. They're going off on me, but I know they wouldn't last five minutes."
 
"Probably not," Alec agreed. A few years ago, he knew he likely would have bent under Mrs. Applebaum and become what she wanted, but now that he'd had time to know freedom and grow, he knew he'd grow crazy under her. "I think it's good to hold onto the love you feel for her and know she feels for you, qnd to try to respect, but it is so hard when it seems like you are always on two separate wavelengths. Or maybe two languages that are similar, but different."
 
"Agreed. Always being the understanding one stinks. It's exhausting and unfair. But," Alec sighed, "to play advocate for the devil, she does understand more about the world, or, at least, her part of it, and she thinks she's doing what is best for you." He waved a hand. "She is absolutely and one hundred percent projecting on you, no question, but she does know a thing or two more than us. It'd be nice if she could try to impart the wisdom without the," he paused to consider his word, "self-imposed judgment."
 
"Don't people who believe in hell claim it's paved with good intentions?" Sloan asked, "Believe me, I've got no doubt she thinks she's right, and she's not evil, she's just... exhausting."
 
"I think even people who don't believe in he'll say that for the metaphorical meaning, and I totally see how it applies here," Alec nodded. "You mom is... well, she's in the wrong, and I don't want to come off as trying to defend her too much, but I also don't want you to get, like, bitter and stuff. I'm more worried about you than anything because, yes, your mom is exhausting and kind of scary, but not evil, like you said. I want to just agree with you and bemoan your fate, but I also worry about you holding a grudge. Does that make sense? I don't know how to balance that and respond properly as your friend. I'd like to, though, to make you feel better."
 
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