How Green Becomes Wood

"You'll have to let me know how it goes," Daizi told him, "And listen, Xander, if it's ever difficult, because it might be sometimes, you can always come talk to me or your father. Obviously we're happy Alec is happy, but you don't ever need to pretend you're okay if you're having a tough moment with it. Adjusting to a big change like that, even if you know logically it's a good thing, can still be hard. Believe me, I know that probably better than anyone."
 
"Thanks, Mama. I guess what makes this harder is that I want him to be happy, I do, but I don't think many people would figure that just by looking at me," Xander sighed. He couldn't find any more strawberries, but did find a ladybug and gently caught it. "I guess feelings just defy logic."
 
"I know you do, but that doesn't mean our feelings can't hurt a bit. It has nothing to do with them, really," Daizi said gently, "Come on, we should wash these. I think we've gotten all the ripe ones."
 
"Let's do it," Xander agreed. He picked up his basket and headed inside with Daizi to wash the fruit. He hoped Claire would be Alec's last girlfriend because he wasn't sure how many more times he could take this.
 
After all the fruit were washed and dried, Daizi spent some time making a nice, simple, strawberry-based dessert before portioning out which of her friends would get what, since there were more than enough to go around.

During the last week of school, class was of course easy. All of the major tests were already finished, so they were able to really just relax and enjoy the last few days. Sloan admitted to feeling sort of weird about it, since she was just about to graduate, and really seemed to enjoy these last few lunches with her friends, remarking how strange it was so many years had passed since they first became friends. Claire spent that week gleefully telling everyone she knew that she and Alec were officially dating, and at some point asked Alec to take a picture with her so she could put it in her locker for the four whole days before the year ended. She also made sure to prioritize hanging out with Rumy, knowing soon she wouldn't see her anymore.

On Monday, meanwhile, Milo lamented he definitely did not get the job at the record store, because at some point during the interview, his potential boss looked him over and said, quote, "You're a really weird kid, Milo." Still, he was excited for the year to be over, because not only did he not have summer school, he got to spend the full summer with his mom. They planned to go to a waterpark, which he hadn't done in probably a decade or more.

The year ended on a Thursday, so everyone who was graduating could prepare for it, and as always, when the twins came home from school, it was to a cake Dark had bought for them, this time reading "Congrats on Surviving Junior Year." As they ate it, he said, "There is only one left, now."
 
The twins enjoyed the laidback atmosphere of the last week in school. They pretened to be very mornful and act like it was going to be the last time they would ever spend any time with Sloan. They knew differently, but it was still funny to talk about the last time they'd have lunch together, the last time they'd walk the halls together, and all of that nonsense. Alec blushed what seemed to Xander through half of the day every day when Claire talked about them being official, but Alec also couldn't help a goofy smile every time. They were official! More than that, Claire was telling people because she was excited. That was all. It was such an amazing feeling! And he was completely willing to do pictures together with Claire for their respective lockers. He even requested Xander stand in one and Sloan in another so he could put it in his memory junk journal. A moment in time! His girlfriend, his brother, and his first high school friend who also introduced him to his girlfriend. It felt appropriate.

Rumy appreciated the extra attention, and she would miss these friends. She told Claire to keep in touch and let her know if she ever wanted a little getaway. Rumy didn't have a lot of indoor space, but she anticipated having a lot of peace and quiet with great views! She did decide to give talking to her mother one last try, thanks to Sloan's concerns. She didn't tell her mother her plans to leave, just tried to talk to her about her future as calmly and rationally as possible. That hadn't gone over well, but she did feel better for having tried.

Xander tried not to smile at the potential boss' comment because he couldn't argue with that, but he tried to be serious and reassure Milo. He struck out, but maybe there was a better job around the corner. One that liked weird kids like them.

The cake was greeted with excitement and joy. One more year! One more year!

"I guess there's still time to drop out and fulfill the expectations of my freshman teachers," Xander mused with a smirk, knowing Dark's reaction.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top