Untouchable: Chapter 50: Commitments for Tomorrow: Xander
I bounced in my
seat happily, as our rental van reached the hotel on the east side of Disney
Land. Sean had been quiet on the flight but didn't sleep like I had. "What do you
want to do after dinner," I asked."Probably just
sleep it's been a really long day," Sean said."Ok, you don't
mind if I just chill in the room and play games on my DS?" "That's fine,
as long as you have the volume off or head phones."We all unloaded and
got the room keys, Papa asked everyone to meet back in the lobby for dinner.My excitement was
crushed when I learned Papa had me rooming with Sharron and Samantha with Sean.
They seemed perfectly happy as we headed up to the room."Where did we
go last year, you know at the end of the trip, it was the Victorian style
place, I hope we go there," Sharron said then boarded the elevator."Yeah if we
all agree they have to take us there," Samantha said, "Sean are you
down?""What...?""Food places,
are you down for that Victorian one," Sharron asked."Yeah sure, I
just want to eat and pass out.""We could
bring you back food, if you want to sleep," Samantha said."No, I'll have
dinner with everyone," Sean said."I liked going
there too, I think it was called the Plaza, wasn't it," I said trying to
keep up, but they didn't seem to hear me, they were too far ahead down the
hallway.I reached the rooms
after the others went in. I juggled my bags and the door further from the
elevator. When I got inside I was thankful to find the rooms were connected by
a door in the middle.Sharron opened the
connecting door on our side and knocked on the one on theirs, "hey open
up.""What," Sean
asked, opening the other door."Dad's being
ridiculous, I'm not changing in front of Xander," Sharron said."What's wrong
with me? You know I don't care. I wouldn't be looking at you.""Maybe I
care." Sharron said."Fine,
whatever, Xander bring your stuff over," Sean said."Is this
because I didn't tell you I was gay sooner?" I said bustling through the
door, why did I pack so much?"Yeah cause
everything's about you," Sharron said then moved out of sight."Which is my
bed then," I asked, the room had two queen beds, there was also a desk and
two easy chairs by the window with a rumbling panel AC unit beneath."The one
closer to the bathroom, you have the smaller bladder," Sean said.Samantha laughed
while she collected her bags from the floor, "Xander hasn't wet the bed in
years." "Yeah, I give
him at least one, maybe, but if he still were a bed wetter he wouldn't tell us,
he'd tell your sister, and have waited till you were about to sit down," Sharron
said from the other room."Oh please,
one of you three wet the bed last I'm the oldest here," I said while
hanging my slacks and a dress shirt for Sunday."Oh, ancient
one are you ready to head down for dinner," Samantha asked.The other room's
door slammed. "Yeah I'm ready,
Sean are you coming?""Fine, I want
to see you two fight it's entertaining," Sean said while he texted and
followed behind me.Sharron didn't wait
just marching away from everyone.We ran after her, Sean,
Samantha, and I barely catching her elevator."Why are you
so pissed? Is it all because I didn't tell you? You would have told your
parents," I said."Maybe I would
have, maybe I wouldn't.""Come on, you
know you would have," Samantha said."I always
trust you, to do what you think is right, regardless of how it affects
others," Sean said."Isn't that a
good thing?" Sharron said."Not if it
violates trust, if I don't want to tell your parents and you think I should,
you telling it's showing you don't respect me... cause you'll do what you think
is right no matter what," I said.Sharron smelt
scared and angry, "so none of you trust me.""We trust you
to be you," Samantha said."Maybe it's a
good thing we are all doing separate programs in different states," Sharron
said."Well apart
from me and Sean. Oh, Sean, did your mom give you the letter?" I asked
while we filed out of the elevator into the gold and marble lobby."Yeah, how did
you know about it," Sean asked, then slipped his phone in his pants
pocket."Because I got
one that looked just like yours," I said. We all took seats in the easy
chairs by the lobby's fireplace area. Papa and Mama Miller hadn't gone up with
us, how long till Mama and Papa get
here, Sharron and Sean are in weird moods."You got one,
like mine, what are you talking about?""Your
acceptance letter, what did you think I meant," Xander asked."Oh nothing...
no I haven't seen it," Sean said. He dropped the conversation and stared
at the fire."So, what does
everyone want to do first," Samantha asked."Food then
sleep," Sean said."Ok what about
tomorrow," I asked, then said, "I want to see the changes to the
Pirates of the Caribbean area.""The finding
Nemo submarine ride should be open this year, the monorail was closed last year
for that, so let's do both and the monorail tour," Samantha said."Oh yeah we
didn't get to see the whole park on the monorail, we got to do that," Sharron
said, then she added, "I wish it was last year.""Why is
that," Samantha asked, Sean and I murmured interest."I didn't know
you two were gay, we had the whole year together and things weren't... so hard.
I wasn't looking forward to coming this year, and it's the first time I've ever
felt like this," Sharron said."Yeah, it's
like this year killed our childhood, but it had to happen right?" Sean said."It didn't
have to kill anything," Samantha said."I think we
haven't had time to get used to these changes," I said."Well things
will be different in August," Sharron said."Things are
different now," Sean said."Do they have
to be so different," I stood up to check the rest of the lobby for Papa
and Mama Miller."They don't
have to be... they just are," Sean said."Maybe if you
told us what happened at camp, we could get back to normal," Sharron said."Then get used
to the way things are," Sean said while he pulled his phone out."You're just
going to text and ignore us now," Sharron asked."Depends on
how annoying you end up being," Sean said."So Xander did
you have to sign up for the classes you'll start in September," Samantha asked
cutting across Sharron."No there's an
e-mail that announces the enrollment for incoming freshmen, I have to wait for
that," I said, then asked Sean, "So you haven't gotten your
letter?""No, but it's
not like I've really wanted to talk to mom or dad," Sean said."So you won't talk
about camp, but you'll hold a grudge about it," Sharron asked."Did mom and
dad ever blackmail you into doing something you didn't want to do," Sean asked.Sharron stopped her
retort as Papa and Mama Miller got off the elevator."Hey gang, you
all look kinda tense, what's wrong," Mama Miller asked."We were just
talking about Sharron and I going out of State," Samantha said ears
drooping."Oh
colleges... Sean, I'm sorry I have your letter in my purse," Mama said."So where did
you all want to get dinner," Papa asked."We talked
about going to Plaza," I said while Sean, Sharron and Samantha stood."Great, I like
that place," Mama Miller said then passed Sean his letter.We moved to the
concierge desk and Papa requested a hotel express to take us to the park."So after
dinner we have five hours, want to go on anything," Mama asked."It been a
long day I might head back to the hotel and sleep if that's ok," Sean said."That's ok
just don't go alone," Mama said."I want to see
stuff," Sharron said and Sam nodded."I'll go back
with Sean," I said.Papa Miller said,
"I don't know if that is a great-"That will be fine Xander,
thank you for volunteering," Mama said glaring at Papa.We boarded the
express.Samantha said,
"I'm thinking of specializing in Immunology, I know Xander's mentioned
Marketing, but I have no idea what you two want to do?""I'm thinking
business management," Sharron said."Go figure you
love telling people what to do," Sean said, reading through his letter."At least I'm
not passive aggressive about everything," Sharron snapped."Calm down you
two," Papa said, then asked, "Sean I would like to hear what you're
interested in as well.""Oh now my
opinion matters, if I tell you, are you going to make me take a different
program?" Sean said.Papa blinked in
surprise."Sean
apologize to your father right now!" Mama said."I'm sorry I
spoke my mind, I'll be sure to avoid doing that in the future," Sean said.Mama glanced at the
others on the bus perking their ears and dropped the subject."I'd like to
know, Sean," Samantha said softly."I thought
about being a counselor or some kind of legal mediator, but I don't think I can
deal with someone else's problems, I have enough of my own now," Sean said.No one said
anything more till we got to the restaurant.Sharron and Samantha
were chatting with Papa and Mama Miller, while we waited for our food. I kept
trying to talk to Sean but he kept brushing me off to text on his phone.After all our food
arrived Papa said, "Everyone hold paws and let's pray."I took Samantha's
paw closed my eyes and held my other paw to Sean but he didn't take it.I peaked, Sean had
his armed crossed and sat back in his chair."Are you not
going to join us in prayer," Mama asked."You always
taught me not to pray unless you mean what you're praying," Sean said."Well you
can't eat if you don't pray," Papa said waving his paw for Sean to take
it."I guess I
won't eat then," Sean said lip curled."Sean stop
being a pup, just do as you're told. Take my paw so we can pray," Papa said."You don't get
to tell me what to do, you lost that right when you forced me to go to
camp," Sean said shaking from head to toe."I sent you to
camp so that I would know you were safe and upright while in college,"
Papa said in a controlled quiet."Well, I went
to camp, now I can't wait to go to college and get away from you," Sean said."I see you are
still not ready for college," Papa snapped.Mama said,
"Honey! We agreed-""Liar, you
Alpha damned hypocrite!" Sean yelled shaking the table as he stood."Sit down and
don't speak using the Alpha's name that way," Papa said standing over Sean."I can't eat
so I'll just go back to the hotel," Sean said turning from Papa.Papa grabbed Sean's
shoulder and Sean balled his paws, he
might hit Papa.Papa said,
"You're not walking alone."I stood up quickly,
"I'll go with him.""But you
haven't eaten, Karl stop this," Mama said."No it's
ok," I said while Sean pulled away from Papa and headed for the door."Thank you Xander,"
Mama said but let's get your food boxed. She had our food boxed in less than
two minutes, then let me go.I ran to follow Sean,
but couldn't see him. I followed the straightest route to the hotel. When I got
to the South Harbor Boulevard Sean was passing the hotel when he should have turned
right. I ran towards the Santa Ana Freeway, "Hey Sean, slow down, where
are you going? The hotel is back that way.""I don't need
a watchdog," Sean said stopping and turning back."I know you
don't... but are you ok," I asked, as I got closer I could smell salt.Sean sniffled,
"I'm fine, I just want to be alone.""Ok, I'll hang
out in the girl's room," I said."Thanks,"
he said.We walked in
silence, till my stomach growled loudly."I thought you
weren't hungry," He said as we walked into the lobby."I lied so you
could leave," I said, "But Mama made me take our food.""That was nice
of her," Sean said while we waited for the elevator."Are you ok Sean?""No, that
acceptance letter said that families are expected to contribute, fifty six
percent of tuition. I don't know what I'm going to do.""Papa will
come around.""I don't want
to live under the threat that college will be pulled out from under me," Sean
said as we boarded the empty elevator."My parents
are paying for me to have an apartment near campus, most of that fifty six is
housing and food. You'll live with me like we planned and you won't have to
worry about all that," I said.Sean shifted like
he was going to hug me but stopped clutching his right arm.When we got to the
room we ate in the easy chairs."I still think
you'd be a great mediator," I said between mouthfuls."What kind of
mediator yells during a meal in public," Sean asked."Hey, just
don't ever bring your dad to work, problem solved." "Thanks Xander,
I'm sorry that I'm... different now.""No thanks
needed you're my best friend I always want to be here for you.""Everything
would have been easier if we were just straight," Sean said."Maybe, but
we'll do the best we can," I said throwing away the empty takeout
containers."Thank you for
being my friend." Sean said."You're
welcome are you ok, you seem really down?""I just need
sleep," Sean said standing by the bed next to the connector doorway."Ok, I'll hang
in the other room, but are you sure it's just being sleepy," I asked from
that doorway."No... I hate
being gay... I just hate everything and everyone... well not you but everyone
else."I moved to hug him."Don't touch
me!" Sean said recoiling, "...I'm sorry, I just need space.""I
understand," I said confused as hell, closing the door behind me with a
click. I listened at the door to Sean cry till his breathing evened. I wished I
could help him somehow. The bus shook and Xander snapped awake, he had over shot
city hall by over ten blocks. He realized where he was and yanked the bus cord
then clambered down to the sidewalk. He started the run back. He checked his
phone hoping he hadn't missed Sean. It showed Sean still at work but that was
old info and it wasn't updating. Xander was winded when he reached Sean's
office, Sean wasn't at his desk. "Perfect, why can't you work in one place like a
normal person," Xander said to the empty desk.Xander went to his own desk to see if Sean had e-mailed
or messaged him, but there was nothing. "Hey, where are you, I needed to talk to you about
work," He texted Sean.He ran to Mr. Franks' office, hoping Jessi might have Sean
schedule.When he got there Jessi looked jittery, "Hey, do you
know where Sean is?"Her eyes went wide, "Oh, you haven't heard Sean quit
and stormed off, he yelled at a Pack big wig in the lobby and the rumor is that
that was his father. Sean didn't look well when he came in.""Shit, so he left?""Well yeah do you stick around after you quit,"
She said.Papa Miller came out of Mr. Franks Office, "Good Xander
I thought I heard you. I need your help.""Papa, I kinda need to go find Sean.""Xander come in here," Mr. Franks said."Franks, Papa, I need to go.""No, I need you to tell me what's going on with Sean,
Miller here says you two are best friends," Mr. Franks said."We are, but I need to find Sean now, can I explain
things later," Xander asked."Please Xander two minutes," Papa said."Ok, well I think Sean's kinda having a nervous
breakdown, he is facing things he hasn't addressed in a decade and it's all
bubbling up right now. So where did he go?""I don't know... I should have followed him,"
Papa said."I wanted him to debate some bigoted camp
director," Franks said."Shit Mr. Hastles is the camp guy!" Xander said
turning to the door."Where are you going? Do you have an idea about
where he went he was walking," Papa asked.Xander stopped at the door, "No, I don't but I need
to find him somehow.""Well, if you find him, talk sense into him, I don't
accept his resignation if he wants back," Mr. Franks said.Xander schedule a pick up by a retriever with destination
to be determined at departure."I will but what are we doing about the
debate," Xander asked."Franks and I have talked about me representing the
city with you," Papa said."Me! I hate cameras," Xander said loudly."So do I but you'll get used to it and it could mean
Sean doesn't have to deal with Hastles," Papa said."Fine, Franks this debate could be bad press for the
city and the town Hastles is on the counsel for. It's not good for matters this
personal to enter a debate covering completely different issues," Xander said
while pawing the door handle."I agree but the debate was publicly announced,
changing participants is bad enough, we can't cancel," Franks said.Xander said, "Maybe talk to Amy or Vivian at channel
five."His phone buzzed, "Hey Xander, do you know why is Sean
on Aurora? Did you see him at City Hall?""Shit that's where he is. I need you to call him and
text him, I'm on my way there," Xander texted, another damned bridge shit."Sean's not taking calls or reading his texts."
Oliver messaged."Ok I found Sean, wish me luck," Xander said
running from the office full pelter while he texted Oliver, "That's fine,
just give him something to ignore, Oliver this is important!" Xander's fear flashed through him with currents of the
dream he had on the bus. I was in the girl's
room with the lights out and about halfway through the Hearthome Gym in my
Pokemon game, then there was a weird noise from Sean's room. I went to the door
listening. It sounded like Sean was whimpering and talking in his sleep. "No please,
George let me out, he's in here with me please George..."I felt cold, not
knowing what to do.Sean gave a
bloodcurdling scream, it made me cover my ears.I tried to open the
divider door but it was locked from the other side."Sean are you
ok," I called through the door and knocked.I heard the other room's
hallway door slam.I debated going
after him, What if someone just
abducted him, would it be safe to follow, no he was dreaming... a night terror.I left my DS and
ran from the hotel room, the elevator was going to the ground floor so I took
the stairs.When I reached the
lobby, a bellhop asked, "Are you ok?""No I'm trying
to find my friend he is a dark furred wolf," I said."Oh he went
outside," the bellhop said."Thanks."
I ran out the door.When I reached the
South Harbor Boulevard I looked left and right, spotting Sean to the right, he
was almost to the freeway overpass.I ran as hard and
as fast as I could.When I thought he
might hear me I called, "Sean what are you doing?"?He didn't react, just stared fixed at
the twinkling car lights while leaning dangerously on the guard rail.I ran harder, till
I heard him yelling at the air, "This is your fault why did you do this to
me!""Sean what are
you doing?" I yelled from the lower edge of the over pass.He looked at me,
"I... I'm, not doing anything.""I heard you
and now you're here, please tell me whats wrong?""Go away Xander
you can't help me.""No, you had a
nightmare, come on," I said."Everything is
a nightmare now," He said."You're out of
camp, you're going to college you get to be what ever you want!""Why are you
crying Xander?""You're
scaring me, please don't lean like that!"He moved away from
the guard rail."Sorry I
didn't mean to scare you I'm just angry," Sean said, but he smelt like a
liar."I wish I could
help, I'll always be here for you." I said, then reached out a shaky paw."Thank you Xander."
He just regarded my
paw till I lowered it."Can we please
go back," I asked."Fine, we can
go back."We walked to the
hotel."You heard me
dreaming," Sean asked."Yeah you had
a night terror, I heard you scream," I said."Oh... how
embarrassing...""You really
didn't mean for that other guy to be your first did you?""No...""I'm, sorry I
doubted you Sean," I said."I forgive
you." He mumbled."Were you
going to jump?" "What why
would you think that?""Because you
looked like you were going to jump.""You don't
know what you're talking about," he said."Don't ever do
that... for me please don't," I said not hiding my tears."If you
promise to never speak about this."
"Fine," I
knew what I saw but was unsure at the same time, He wouldn't have would he... Alpha protect him.