Nanowrimo 2008

Author Notes: Here you go.


The practice was tough. Darren was being exceedingly hard on him. He didn’t even compliment Kyle for having more than half of the play memorized. In Darren’s eye, all Kyle did was wrong. That is all Darren wanted to see. When practice was over, he slumped in a chair, breathing heavily. He worked so hard, he voice was slightly scratchy from all the talking involved. Alex stood over his chair, looming over him and smiling. “Tired?”

Kyle tried to answer but his voice was so raspy. He settled with nodding his head.

Alex let out a little chuckle. “Shouldn’t you be going? I am sure whoever is picking you up is waiting for you.”

Kyle took a big gulp of water to moisten his throat before answering. “I’m walking home. As long as I am home before seven, there is no problem.”

Alex looked at his watch. “It is already 6:40. How far away do you live?

Kyle’s eyes were wide in shock. “More than 20 minutes of walking. I am so dead.”

Alex laid his hand on Kyle’s shoulder, and at that moment, Kyle chose to remember Darren’s words. He immediately shifted out of Alex’s touch. Kyle did not want to give Alex any false hopes.

Alex frowned. “What’s wrong? I have my car here and I was going to offer you a ride so you would not be dead.”

“That’s ok. I will just get in trouble.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“I do not think Darren will be thrilled with the prospect.”

“That is tough for him. It is my car and he has no say. Do you really want to get into trouble?”

Kyle thought. It was not his mom who would be mad at him. It was Eric he was worried about. Eric had always given him a curfew. It was another way to control him so he could not have any fun that he did not approve of. If he was late, he did not even want to think what Eric would do to him. He shuttered at the thought. “Ok, but we have to hurry.”

Alex smiled reassuringly. “No problem.”

Alex left his side to go fetch Darren. They talked for a moment, before Darren got an angry look on his face. Kyle shifted closer to listen in on the conversation. “Why are you giving that flake a ride home?”

“If he does not get home by seven, he’ll be in trouble.”

“So? Whose fault is that?”

“Yours, for keeping them at practice this late.”

“They should make arrangements ahead of time just in case. I do not see anyone else complaining.”

“If you do not want to deal with it and go to his house, you can walk.”

“You wouldn’t do that. I am your brother.”

“Try me. Yes, you are my brother, but you are acting like a spoiled brat.”

“Fine.” This was said very reluctantly. As Darren walked passed Kyle, the angered boy glared at him.

Kyle bent his head down guiltily. “I did not want to make any trouble.”

Alex smiled kindly. “You are not making trouble. You did not ask me, I offered you. Now lets go. You can still get home by seven if we hurry.”

Kyle smiled. “Ok.”

As they walked to the car, Alex looked over at Kyle. “You should try smiling more often. It is very appealing on you.” Kyle blushed.

Darren rolled his eyes. “Oh please. That’s sick.”

Alex glared. “It’s called a compliment. Maybe you should try giving one
every now and then.”

The drive was silent the whole way, except for Kyle giving directions. Darren kept shooting daggers at Kyle, who pointedly ignored it.

They arrived, at 7:03, and Kyle was discouraged to see Eric waiting outside for him. Alex did not notice him at first. “You’re only three minutes late. You should not be in too much trouble.” Alex had no idea how wrong he was.

Eric stalked to the car. Alex smiled. “I did not know you were a twin.”

Kyle smiled weakly. “Yeah, I am.”

Eric opened the car and pulled Kyle out by the arm. Eric whispered very deliberately, “YOU – ARE – LATE!!

Kyle smiled weakly. “Only three minutes.” Eric stared him down levelly, forcing Kyle to look away. Instead, he looked inside the car. “Thank you Alex, for the ride home.”

Alex smiled in confusion, wondering about the twins’ odd seeming relationship. “No problem. I would do that anytime.”

Kyle closed the car door and watched as they drove away, fearing for his life. Hopefully, Eric wouldn’t be suspicious. If Eric got jealous, he got really scary

As the car disappeared, Kyle took a deep breath, afraid.

Eric was not smiling. “Who was your friend?”

“That was just Darren, you know, the kid who hates my guts with every fiber of his being?”

“I know who the kid in the back was. I am talking about that driver. The one who smiled at you, and offered you a “ride”?

Kyle made a disgusted face. “There was nothing perverted about his offer. He is Darren’s older brother who just happened to be at rehearsal today. IF he had not offered me a ride, I would have been more than three minutes late. He was just doing me a favor. “

“Is that so?”
"
“Yes. Even if I was interested, which I am not, I could never have a real relationship.”

“And why is that?”

“Because of you”. Kyle said this without thinking.”

“Damn straight. And you better remember that. I do not want you to get another ride from that guy. Understand?”

“Can you at least extend my curfew then father?” This was said very bitterly, and Kyle knew he was pushing Eric’s buttons. “Darren always runs his rehearsals late.”

“Maybe you should quit then.”

“I’m a lead. Darren may hate me and make me miserable during rehearsals, but I would not leave him high and dry. Just extend my curfew an hour. I will not have to accept a ride then.”

Eric’s eyes narrowed. “He offered you a ride? I thought you asked.”

Kyle realized his mistake. Eric would think Kyle was making a play for Alex, which probably was not totally untrue. He did not want Alex to be hurt though. He was not sure of Eric’s full potential of being dangerous and did not want to find out. “He saw I was panicked. He asked me where I lived and it happened to be on the way to his brother’s house. He offered to give me a ride. He was doing one of his brother’s classmates a favor. That is all.”

“First of all, it is a classmate his brother hates. Second of all, his brother’s house?”

“Alex is a nice guy. I am still his brother’s classmate. Second of all, he does not live with his brother. He is twenty five.”

“He’s that old?”

“Yeah.”

“You should have told me that to begin with. What would a twenty five year old want with a sixteen year old slut like you? He seems to be a pretty good looking guy and he would have to be desperate. He probably has multiple people to pick from.”

“That’s right. I am just a sixteen year old slut.” Kyle knew he should be insulted, but at least Alex was safe. At that moment, it was his main concern.

Eric gave a cold smile. “Mom left us dinner. Of course you will have to be punished for being late.

“It was only three minutes though.”

“It was still three minutes.”

“Are you going to give me a later curfew?”

“How about 7:45? Is that good enough for you?”

They began walking into the house. “Yes.”

“Yes what?’

Kyle guessed the game was starting early. “Yes master.”

“Good boy. Eat, and then punishment.”

Kyle nodded, knowing not to protest.


Author Notes: Please R&R