How Green Becomes Wood

Maybe we can talk tomorrow at school. Kind of feel guilty about it, but I'm effin' relieved right now. Feel like I'm the one who broke up with her. How selfish is that? Xander remarked to Sloan.
 
Xander glanced down at his brother. He reached out briefly and pulled up the blanket more. Nah, never saying that. Yeah, the birthday thing was stupid. A lot of stuff was stupid. But now we're free and we move forward. Gently. For his sake. He needs to stop dating for our sake.
 
I think he doesn't need to stop dating, he just has to be willing to listen to other people's opinions, Sloan replied, not wanting this to push Alec back into being someone who won't date to appease others... and there was nothing in that which was at all alike her current situation! Nothint like it... At least, you know, the opinions of people he can actually trust, not just some rando
 
Nah, we can just all not date, our entire friend group, just not date and avoid all the drama. Basically none of us are dating already. Except Becky. She dates enough for all of us if her stories are even kind of true. She can do the drama for all of us, Xander replied, tongue in cheek. He added a toungue-out emoji at the last minute.
 
Wait, she wants to date him? Really? I thought she was just trying to get him to talk to her because she wants to be friends with literally everyone, Xander said in surprise. If that's her goal, she's got a long way to go. But I guess Stitch would be allowed to date her since she's the dater of the group.
 
Last edited:
That's what I thought too! But when Alec and I were getting our nails done, he told me she confessed her true motives to him! Sloan replied, nearly relieved it wasn't just her who didn't get the true motivation, but then again Xander was usually naive in such things, so she wasn't sure how complimentary it was. I said I don't think they'd work.
 
"Well, I'll be damned," Xander muttered. Then he realized he'd said it out loud and looked down. Alec hadn't heard, or at least wasn't acting like he heard. I have zero comment, but I wish her luck. I think. Long as she doesn't hurt him, it'll be interesting to watch.
 
Xander thought about it for a long moment. I have no idea. I think he might have conditioned himself not to notice things like that to not get his hopes up. We'll see. Should I say something? Or just see what happens?
 
The biggest prob is he's leaving at the end of the school year. Going to live with his mum. Xander paused to swallow hard. For some reason, that thought still pained him. It was what was best for Milo. His mother had proven herself, had established herself, and he'd grown a lot stronger to handle things if she did slip. This was what Milo wanted. He shook off the thoughts. Best leave it and just let them sort it out. Bet he leaves before he figures it out.
 
Oh, I didn't know that, Sloan replied, That sucks. I'd suggest we throw him a going away party, but he'd hate that. If Becky doesn't know, someone might want to warn her, though, so she can prepare.
 
Not me! I ain't telling her. He might like a party if it was a dark room so he couldn't see how many people were there. And low music. And minimal talking. And not many people.
 
It's okay. That's kind of what he does. Minimizes impact because he expects to leave. Basically the opposite of what Peter does. Anyway, I'm not telling Becky, so it's up to you or Alec or literally anyone else. I should hit the hay. See you tomorrow?
 
Xander had homework, but he didn't feel like doing it. He didn't have anything due the next day except for one section due at the end of the day. He could steal some time to do it during the day. Instead, he lay next to Alec and just existed for a while. Alec said nothing, but he did nestle up against his brother in silence, and they listened to the house creak and murmur to itself until they fell asleep.

The next morning, Xander got up early for his usual morning run. Normally, Alec rose and took a shower or did whatever else he needed to do before Xander got back to take over the bathroom, but this time, Alec was still in bed. He got up slowly when he heard Xander return and forced himself to move one leg at a time. He needed to face the day. He needed to move and not just try to disappear. He could do this! One thing at a time. First, to get dressed. He pulled on the first items that came to hand and went to brush his teeth when Xander went downstairs to change into his school clothes and grab his stuff.

Alec made it downstairs with brushed hair and teeth, and he could tell by the way Xander looked at him that his "blind clothing grab" must have produced an interesting result, but he couldn't bring himself to look and pay attention. He sat down at the table and stared at his breakfast. He wasn't hungry. Really, really wasn't hungry. He nibbled on some toast and managed half of one piece before setting it aside.

"I don't think I can do today," he said quietly. "I just... I can't do school. Not today."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top