Chapter Text
Sebastian was enthralled the first time he heard a train.
The horn would echo from the tunnel, giving him just enough time to run from his brand new home in the mountain and onto the dusty plain of the railroad. Powerful and noisy, the train would lumber through, car after car going by, loaded with mysterious cargo. Sebastian grinned ear to ear, jumping in place as he watched the powerful vehicle make its way out one tunnel and into another. He’d imagine where it would end up if he jumped on. He could feel the train like an earthquake under his feet.
Eventually, the train’s caboose would appear, ending the excitement as it vanished through the exit tunnel out of town. The rumbling would ebb, the noise would turn to quiet. The silence gave way to a subtle sadness, even at the tender age of five.
Sebastian loved the train, and he hated home. When the train was gone, all that was left was a lonely mountain, and a family that didn’t need him anymore.
When his mom had finished building their new house, Sebastian chose the basement, because it made him feel like he had a secret lair. It only took a few weeks for the novelty to wear off, realizing he was even more separate from his family than before. It only took a couple months to realize he’d never get along with his new step-dad. He’d hated step-sister from the moment she was born. Everyone in this house put more and more space between himself and his mother. His mother was all he had.
So he always kept an ear out for trains. Running out of the house that smelled of freshly cut wood, up the mountain path that smelled of evergreen, onto the flats that held the railroad.
He waited for trains. He imagined life beyond the tunnel. A place far, far away from here.
---
Alex moved to Pelican Town at the age of ten. His mother had died only recently, and now he struggled to adapt to his new life with his grandparents. His grandfather was confined to a wheelchair, and couldn’t play catch with him. His grandmother was kind, but spoke too eagerly of knitting and crosswords. A pervasive sadness seeped through his small bones. The house was too quiet, smelled too different, and his grandparents too old.
“New families have been moving into town a lot these last few years.” Granny said over breakfast to her husband. “It’s starting to feel alive again.”
“Noisy, more like.” George grouched, shovelling eggs into his mouth.
Alex ate quietly. He wanted his mom back so badly. He wanted his old life.. Or rather, the short time he’d had with his mother; right after his dad finally left, and before his mother got sick. He felt tears coming again, but when he’d cried about it last time, George had told him to man up, because he was making his grandma sad. That immediately made him clam up. In a lot of ways, it was like having his dad around, in a watered down sort of way. George wasn’t intentionally cruel, but he was cantankerous and curt. His father had been mainly absent in his life, but the few times he was around, all he’d do was drink and call Alex horrible things. Told him he was weak, or irritating, or worthless. It felt like all the men in his life found fault with him.
“Oh, Alex!” Granny said, patting his hand. “A new family moved in just after you did, down the street. There’s a boy your age. Maybe you can go play catch and make friends.”
Alex felt a small ray of hope in his heart. He loved his family, but this house just reminded him of why he wasn’t with his mother anymore. So he took his gridball after breakfast, intent on trying to meet the new boy. He’d been living here for a month or so, but Granny hadn’t brought it up before.
As he walked through town, tossing his gridball in the air, he heard boys laughing. Feeling a spark of nerves, he approached cautiously. Around the corner he saw them; two boys, one blonde and one with black hair. They were chasing a girl around, playing some kind of make-believe game.
Something inside Alex made him shy away. He’d not gotten to know anyone in town yet. He’d been too preoccupied with mourning his mother. Even now, the shroud of his grief kept him from wanting to reach out. They were in the middle of some imagination game. He didn’t like those games. He just wanted to play with his ball.
“Hi~”
Alex looked behind him. There was a blonde girl with a bright smile. “I don’t know you. I haven’t seen you at school.” She remarked, “What’s your name? I’m Haley.”
“Alex.” He answered, “Granny hasn’t enrolled me yet.”
Haley pointed to the ball, “Do you like sports? That’s super cool. I don’t like sports. I like sunflowers and the beach. Have you seen the beach?”
Alex hadn’t, but Haley made sure to take him by the hand and give him the grand tour. He gave one last look to the two boys up the street. Maybe he could make friends with them some other time.
That thought was short-lived.
The dark haired boy was named Sebastian, and he once brought a frog to school for no reason. He also dared Sam, the neighbour boy, to pull the fire alarm, and they both got suspended for a week. He wrote in black Sharpie on his desk and ignored people when they tried to talk to him. Alex didn’t want to be his friend anymore. Sam was energetic and friendly, but he was Sebastian’s friend. Alex didn’t want to be his friend either, by proxy.
The only two boys his age in town, and they were off limits. At least he had Haley. She was ultra girly, but so friendly he had a hard time not being happy around her. She also hated Sam and Sebastian, so he felt more vindicated.
“Sam threw mud at my window.” She griped, “And his weird friend is so sulky, like, what’s your problem!”
Alex smiled and nodded. Yes, they were troublesome and creepy. That’s why he couldn’t have friends in them. He himself was not weird. He was normal. Normal was good.
Don’t stand out. Don’t make waves. That’s how you survived.
---
Through the rest of grade school and middle school, both out of town by bus, Alex found little in the way of making close friends. The other kids in class liked him well enough, but through it all he felt so normal he was invisible. Others tended to outshine him with charisma, talent or humour. Sebastian and Sam, on the other hand, seemed to make a name for themselves. Even though he wasn’t in their classes, he heard of their exploits. Sam revelled in the attention, smiling bright like a cheeky little sun god. Sebastian scorned any attention he got, sullenly sculking behind Sam who did all the talking.
Meanwhile, Alex had to fight to be more than background fodder. He managed to do well in sports, gym class and anything physical. Enough to garner better attention from teachers and peers. His grades in everything else were lacking. Book stuff wasn’t his strength. It took way more effort than sports. Yet despite doing so well athletically, his grandfather scolded him for every barely-passing grade.
“Throwing a ball around won’t let you graduate.” He scorned.
His grandmother repeated the criticism in her own soft way, getting him books she thought might help him. He hated those books. Hated that bookshelf. He wasn’t good at it, so why bother? Sports earned him admiration. Sports earned him rewards, like ribbons and trophies. So long as he got a passing grade in everything else, there was no need to work much harder.
By grade 8, he was a king at school. He’d won track and field day every year since he’d moved. Girls always wanted to ask him out, and he always had company at lunch. But once the bell rang, he had to take the only bus back to Pelican Town. Too far away for his classmates to visit. At home, he was just Alex.
As the years had gone by, he resented Sam and Sebastian for being friends. Friends he had at school were acquaintances and nothing more. It wasn’t fair that those two had formed a deep friendship so fast. A friendship that lasted. Why hadn’t that Sebastian kid come to visit him when he’d first moved in? Alex and Sam had arrived the same damn year. No matter how popular he knew he was at school, he couldn’t shake off the snub he felt at home.
The more he thought about it, as years passed, the more he hated Sebastian. That dark haired, sullen asshole that lived to stir shit up. By now he’d traded in a normal wardrobe for all black and had grown his hair out so much it covered his damn eyes. He looked like a freak and acted like a problem. He knew, deep down, all he would ever hold over him was his status as king of the school. He also knew Sebastian probably didn’t give a shit about it.
He held onto it anyway; keeping it so close it bonded to his core. He needed this more than anything. Without his status, without his athletic ability, he would go back to being the nobody he knew he truly was.
---
“Happy 17th Birthday, Alex!” Haley squealed, leaping onto him for a hug. That August was sweltering hot. Even on the beach, with the sea breeze to aid him, it was almost unbearable to be outside. But he was not to be dissuaded. It was his birthday, and he loved summer.
Hugging Haley back, he swung her around in a circle, revelling in the squeal of delight it elicited. “What’d you get me?” He grinned, setting her down on the sand.
“Me! I am your gift.” She laughed. “Oh, and I guess this too.” She got him another sweatband, along with a card that was undoubtedly made by Emily, handcrafted as it was.
Alex had felt restless all summer. After the break, he would be starting his final year of high school. This was going to make or break his future. He needed to be the absolute best if he wanted a chance to be noticed by pro scouts. It was his dream to be the first person from the valley to go pro. He needed his dream to succeed. It was life or death. He felt the expectations of himself prying at every muscle in his body. If he didn’t end the year as a recruit for the Tunnelers, then what had been the point of all of it? If he didn’t make it, he’d prove his father right. He’d prove his grandfather and grandmother right, for not focusing on his studies.
He’d never get into college. Not with his grades. So this was his only chance.
But today was his birthday. Haley had a big beach party planned for him. Letting go of his worries for now, he walked along the length of the beach as Haley discussed her plans.
---
“I’m not going.”
Sebastian crossed his arms, sulking as he watched Sam rifle through his messy room for something to wear.
“Yes you are!” Sam laughed, “‘Cause I’m going, and Abby is going. Does this look okay?” He held up a flamboyant Hawaiian shirt, lime and turquoise with some kind of graphic depicting cocktails and citrus fruits. Sebastian winced.
“If you need to direct traffic, then sure.” He snarked, slouching further on Sam’s bed, leaning against the heavily postered wall. Sam wanted to drag him to a beach party Haley was throwing for Alex. Sebastian didn’t like either of them, and he’d thought Sam felt the same. Turned out Sam just liked everybody no matter what, even if he didn’t always give them the time of day. Even if they were assholes like Alex who stood by while his beefed-up cronies shoved him and Sam against lockers, tripped them up down the hall or tossed their bags into trash cans.
Sam was undoubtedly kinder and more forgiving than Sebastian was. It almost made him feel guilty for the shit he made him pull, growing up. Almost. Sebastian liked to pull pranks to be a Problem . Sam liked to pull pranks because he thought it was funny, but in the way a comedian tells jokes.
“Who even invited you?” Sebastian complained.
“It was an open invitation! Anyone can go!” A knock at the door, and in burst Abby.
“I snuck some stuff from Dad’s liquor cabinet!” She grinned, shutting the door behind her. “Sam, you’re not dressed yet! You’re worse than a girl.”
“That’s sexist, Abigail.” Sam harrumphed. “Being a handsome rockstar takes time and diligence.”
“And a time machine. It’s already four pm.” Abby grouched, taking the Hawaiin shirt out of his hands. “Let me or Seb pick something. You have zero sense of style. Unless the theme is denim.” With Sebastian and Abby convincing Sam to tone it down, the trio headed off to the party on the beach.
Outside of Sam’s air conditioned house, it was hotter than the seven hells. Sebastian, wearing all black, felt it keenly. He hated summer. He hated the heat. And he hated crowds. Sebastian hated a lot of things, and loved very little. The only thing that brought him out was keeping his friends happy. Abby and Sam were all he had. They kept him company in childhood, they kept him sane at school, they kept him calm in town. They stuck with him no matter how often he pushed them away to have his own space, no matter how often he got them in trouble when he acted out. He could afford to sacrifice one night to appease them. But, oh , they were going to owe him big time for it.
Chewing on his sleeve’s cuff like a caged animal, he walked behind them as they arrived at the beach. It was remarkably cooler by the shore, thanks to the sea breeze. It was also filled with people from school; the popular kids, mostly. There were others there he didn’t recognize, possibly friends of friends, or others who’d seen the open invite. He felt himself imploding already.
Five minutes in, and he was contemplating either escaping or destroying something. Probably the latter. There was an open buffet of snacks, bowls of punch, and buckets of what he suspected were bottles of beer. How were they even getting away with this? Abby had disguised the booze they’d brought in water bottles. Here? Not so coy. Everyone here was a minor. Surely the Mayor would have something to say about it?
But the mayor wasn’t there. The only adult who lived nearby was the old fisherman, Willy; but he was out at sea for a few weeks.
Sebastian reminded himself of glass houses and black pots. Smoking wasn’t for minors either, but that didn’t stop him. It wasn’t so much the rule breaking that bothered him about it; it was that popular kids got away with this shit a lot easier than people like him.
Sebastian stuck to Sam and Abby like glue, becoming their own personal shadow. It was easy with Sam; he was so bright and tall, it was easy to linger behind him with no one noticing. Abby often tried to bring him out of hiding to be involved with conversation. As such, he stuck to Sam. While Sam was the more extroverted of the three, he at least didn’t force Seb into being as involved.
The downside was how much Sam was flirting. It was painful to listen to. After a few hours of following him around, Sebastian made the decision to be on his own for a while. Peeling away from the crowds, Sebastian found his way to the docks. While he could still hear the obnoxious noise of the party goers, it was more subdued closer to the water.
By now, the sun had mostly fallen. The sea was bathed in an orange glamour. Waves softly broke apart beneath the wooden dock. He felt his anger soften. Hiding himself from the partygoers line of sight, he leaned against the front door of Willy’s shack, sliding down to sit on the stoop. It was time for a fucking cigarette.
He’d started the habit a couple years beforehand. It had mostly been borne of rebellion and the need to be a nuisance. The biggest reason was because Demetrius hated smokers, and pissing off that dirtbag was one of his few life’s pleasures.
Now? Smoking was a lifeline. The ritual of pulling out the carton of smokes, sliding a new one out, crisp white and untouched. Pressing the filter to his lips as he brought out his Zippo, flicking the sparkwheel until the flame sputtered to life. The smell of the butane, the slow glow of the flame setting the cig alight. He palmed the cold metal of the old Zippo, smoothing his thumb over the engraving.
He inhaled deeply, letting the smoke fill his mouth, his lungs, his nose. Smothering him from the inside. Softly, he breathed out, embracing him in a white cloud. This was peace. This was solitude.
He heard a splash, startling him from his reverie.
“Shit! Sorry, Mullner!” He heard from far off. Many male voices laughed. Then he heard the heavy footfalls of someone coming up the dock behind him.
Out came Alex, his back to him, as he leaned over the pier to look into the water. “Aw, c’mon guys!” He laughed, working off his jacket. Sebastian couldn’t see what he was looking at from his seat. But one moment later, Alex had dove into the sea. A chorus of laughs and cheers erupted from the shore, and Sebastian prayed no more of them came this way.
Alex’s friends were brutes and idiots. When they didn’t notice him or his friends, he was fine. Otherwise, they tended to be demeaning and boarish. With Sam with him, he felt more confident and able to deflect the abuse. On the off chance he was alone, it was harder. He didn’t want to get bullied in his own fucking town.
Sebastian took another drag of his cigarette, watching as Alex returned, climbing the old ladder up the dock. He was soaking wet, and carrying a gridball. And he’d just caught sight of Sebastian.
---
It was that emo-bastard, sitting on Willy’s front steps like he lived there. No way that asshole had come to his party, had he? But he’d seen Sam and Abby earlier, so he’d likely tagged with them.
“Who invited you ?” The words were out of his mouth before he thought better of it. In all honesty, he’d rather just go back to his friends. Sure, they were getting drunk while he remained sober, but it beat speaking with Sebastian of all people. But the words were out there, and Sebastian’s pitch black gaze was staring right back at him through a haze of smoke.
“You don’t own the beach.” Sebastian quipped back, leaning his head back onto the salty, sea-worn wood of the door. His chin was lifted up in defiance, daring Alex to make this a big deal.
Alex scoffed, turning and heading back to the shore. Sebastian just went wherever he wanted. Acted like the world was his damned oyster. Coasting through life on his gothic sled of rebellion. Whatever. He had much better people to be spending his time with.
That being said, if it were up to him? There would be no booze. However, to keep up appearances, he had to allow it, and pretend he was in on the whole thing. The longer the party went, the harder it was to enjoy it. Everyone smelled like his father. At least no one was screaming or throwing punches. For now .
Haley was with her own friends from out of town, talking about their favourite show. His teammates were waiting for him to bring the ball back, so off he went in their direction. However, playing an impromptu game of Gridball had made way for a new activity.
“Yo, Alex! Ethan’s brother brought us a keg !”
The team was gathered around it, already thinking up party games to centre around their holy grail. Alex needed a cover, an excuse. He couldn’t afford to let them know he didn’t drink. His persona was based entirely on half truths and puffed overstatements. Any crack would make the foundation crumble. His throne was built on flimsy supports.
“Uh, start without me. Gotta piss.” He laughed, chucking the ball their way. With that out of the way, he had to find somewhere else to occupy his time.
Wandering through the crowds, he felt his otherness more acutely. He played the role of jock, of the popular prom king. But at parties like these, he really felt how he didn’t fit in. He always had to fake it. Always had to laugh along. It was exhausting, pretending to be anything other than stale and boring.
Where was Haley? Still with the girls, but they’d migrated to the bonfire. He could join them. It was better than wandering around.
“Have you seen him?”
He heard Abigail’s voice somewhere nearby. Looking around, he spotted her and Sam hanging around by a trash can.
“Not for a while. Do you think he went home?”
Ah, they were probably talking about Sebastian. They were close enough, so he decided to help them out. “He’s smoking outside Willy’s shack.” He offered. Sam looked over, surprised but smiling.
“Oh! Thanks, Birthday Boy!” He grinned, smacking his arm as he walked by. Abigail followed, giving Alex a fleeting once over without smiling.
Even with the outcasts of school, he felt other . He hated it. This feeling of inferiority no matter who he was with. It was his fucking birthday, and he actually considered going home early.
But no. Haley worked hard for this. Sucking it up, he walked with purpose towards the girls at the bonfire. They were talking about who was the hottest boy in school. Flashing a smile he didn’t feel, he offered himself up to the judging.
---
The clean up took ages. The last of the party goers hadn’t left until well past midnight. They would have stayed longer, no doubt. But Pelican Town was hours from anywhere. Most people wanted to try and find home before the sun rose.
In the darkness, Alex took to doing the most of the dirty work. Haley was trying her best, but she looked absolutely drained.
“It’s okay, Hales.” Alex smiled, rubbing her back. “I got the rest. Go sleep.”
“No, Alex. We need to get this place spotless before the town wakes up, or we’re in deep trouble.” But her eyes were red rimmed, her shoulders slumped. Alex smiled softly.
“It’s not my birthday anymore. Just go.” He gave her a light kiss on the forehead. Everyone always thought the two of them should date, and he’d thought about asking her out in the early years of high school. But it never felt right. He liked Haley, but just.. not like that . He didn’t seem to like anyone ‘like that ’. While all his school friends had girlfriends or favourite models and actresses, his own crushes tended to be..
Haley sighed, rubbing her eyes.
“Okay.. okay, fine.” She stumbled away from the beach, up the stairs to town square.
Alex looked out at the moon-lit beach. There wasn’t too much left to do. Mostly getting the rest of the trash from the sand. Garbage bag in hand, he combed one end of the beach to the next, picking up beer bottles and plastic cups. For a while it was just him, the night air, and the soft crashing of the waves. It would have felt nice, if he wasn’t bone tired.
But then, somewhere near 2am, he heard footsteps on the stone steps.
He looked up to find Sebastian.
Sebastian stopped his descent when he saw Alex. His face was lit by the nearby street lamp right as the beach began and the stairs ended. He didn’t look drunk. In fact, he seemed just as sober as ever. Just surly and.. Well, himself.
“Forget something?” Alex asked, straightening up from his slouch.
Sebastian seemed to hesitate, looking around for anyone else nearby. “Uh.. yeah. I can’t find my Zippo. Got home and it wasn’t in my pocket.. Had to walk all the fucking way back.” He answered, looking at Alex with a look of befuddlement. “You’re cleaning?”
“Yeah?” Alex sneered, “It’d be pretty shitty to leave this place looking like garbage, bro.”
“That’s not.. Whatever.” Sebastian scoffed, walking onto the beach toward the docks. Alex went back to work, but eventually he saw Sebastian back at the shoreline, head down as he slowly walked along its length.
“Can’t find it?” Alex called out.
Sebastian shook his head, still slowly walking as he looked through the darkness of night for his small lighter.
“Just buy another one.”
“It’s a fucking Zippo.” Sebastian scolded, “I’m not just replacing it like a dollar store Bic..”
Alex didn’t know what the fucking difference was. He’d tried being civil, and it failed. He went right back to cleaning. Another hour and he was almost done. Tying up another garbage bag, he checked to see if Sebastian was still around. He was. Clearly this thing was important to him. Sighing, Alex walked over.
“I’ve combed this whole beach, man.” Alex spoke, catching Sebastian’s attention. “I haven’t seen it. Maybe it got sniped by someone.”
Sebastian glared at him, as if Alex was the one who’d taken it. Alex glared back. He didn’t deserve that shit. “Or it fell in the fucking sea, I don’t know .”
Sebastian huffed, running a hand through his hair. He looked out at the sea, eyes angry. For some reason, Alex almost felt like Sebastian was more human at that moment. All things considered, they barely interacted. It was only that Alex viewed him as a mascot of teen angst most days.
“Was it expensive or something?”
“Yeah.. no. Kind of.” Sebastian frowned, sighing much more deeply. “It.. it was my dad’s.” He murmured the last bit, as if he didn’t actually want Alex to hear, but the words had come out anyway. “It’s not really replaceable.”
Alex frowned, looking out at the water. He hated his own dad. He hoped he’d never see him again. He knew nothing about Sebastian’s home life; only that the man Robin married was her second marriage, making Sebastian the product of her first.
“I’ll help you look.” Alex offered quietly, already building up defenses in his bones for a rejection. Sebastian was quiet. After a moment, Alex chanced a look. Sebastian was biting his nail, looking down at the sand now. He genuinely seemed troubled.
“Yeah.. okay. But you’re probably right. Someone might have made off with it..” He sounded wounded, like he’d already lost. “Are you sure, though? It’s fucking late.”
“I’m up anyway.” Alex replied. “When’s the last time you had a smoke?”
“The docks, I thought. Or wait.. Maybe the tide pools? I haven’t checked there yet. I was at the bonfire at one point, but I lit up using the fire.”
“Of course you did.” Alex rolled his eyes, already walking towards the reef.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just you being extra.”
“I’m not extra! It was practical.” Sebastian insisted, as if insulted. Alex just chuckled. It occurred to him he was being almost friendly to someone he’d had a grudge against for seven years. It felt like he was betraying himself. Maybe he was. At least none of his team were here. They’d never let this go; him speaking to the weird goth kid like he was an equal.
Alex combed through the tidal pools, both on the dryer areas and within the waters themselves. The tide hadn’t come back in yet. There was still hope for the small lighter. Or maybe not. He didn’t know what would happen to a Zippo submerged in water.
A light clink caught his attention. Looking down, his sneaker had hit a small metal object.
Picking it up revealed it to be the Zippo. Nearly black, with an engraving of some kind of playing card. “Yo, Sebastian? This it?” He waved his hand, and Sebastian jogged over.
“That’s it!” Sebastian held his hand out, and Alex slid the lighter into his palm. Seeing his dark eyes light up made his heart swell. He looked so fucking relieved.
Breathing out a long sigh, Sebastian stuffed the lighter into his jeans pocket.
“ Thank you , Alex.”
“Oh, no big deal.” Alex shrugged, rubbing his neck. He liked helping people, it just never seemed to work out, usually. He tried valiantly to keep his body language neutral.
“I’ll um.. Help you take those bags up.” Sebastian offered, hunched in his overly large black shirt.
Alex blinked, mouth open as he let that sink in. “Yeah? I mean.. You don’t have to.”
“No, but..” Sebastian shrugged, already making his way back. “Yanno, tit for tat.”
Alex walked with him, still nervous and expecting them to fight. As soon as school started in the fall, things would go back to normal. They’d ignore each other, or Alex would stand by as his classmates gave Sebastian and his friends a hard time. In the past he’d enjoyed it, because he’d despised Sebastian for reasons he’d concocted himself. Sebastian wasn’t exactly innocent, either. He lobbed insults well enough when he was feeling feisty.
But they weren’t fighting right now. Sebastian wasn’t being argumentative, or a dick, or destructive.
They took the bags of trash to a corner for pickup. The tables were dropped off outside the saloon. Everything was back to normal on the beach.
“So uh..” Alex coughed, “See ya, I guess.”
“Yeah.” Sebastian nodded, not meeting his eyes. He took out his lighter, flicking the sparkwheel, as if making sure it still worked. “Thanks again. It meant a lot.” Sebastian turned and walked away, stuffing the Zippo into his pocket.
Alex noted that Sebastian either hadn’t drunk much at the party, or not at all. He didn’t smell it on him, and he’d been alert. Even Sam and Abby had looked tipsy by the time they’d left. It seemed like Sebastian’s vices were restricted to smoking. He wondered, then, if maybe he wasn’t the only teen who hated alcohol, or if this abstinence was also some upside down form of emo rebellion.
As he made his way back home, quietly sneaking into his room, he admonished himself for thinking that Sebastian wasn’t as bad as he thought. Of course he was that bad, otherwise this years long grudge made no fucking sense.
---
School was starting in a week. Alex fussed and worried about how he was going to deal with it. Too much pressure. It was the year he’d need to get a scout’s attention. One more year of playing a part, keeping up appearances, keeping his place on the top of the social hierarchy. One more year of skirting questions about why he never dated anyone.
He also needed to make sure he didn’t run into Sebastian. After being downright friendly at the party, he knew it would be hard to go back to letting his friends kick the guy around at school. It had gotten stupid and repetitive the last year or so, too. Giving him trouble for the way he dressed, or because he was in the ‘geek’ club, and a bunch of other things that no longer seemed to actually matter. He felt like an asshole when he stood by and said nothing. His own survival in the jungle of high school meant more than sticking his neck out for some punk who pulled fire alarms.
It was all so much. School was stressful. Being a teen was stressful, and he had another year of it to deal with. If only fate could take some of that pressure off of his hands.
He wished he’d never thought such a thing.
“Alex, dear?” Granny called from the kitchen. “The mayor was just here.”
Curious, Alex left his room and entered the kitchen. “Yeah? And?” What did that have to do with him?
“It seems the school bus into Pelican Town won’t be coming this year. Low enrollment rates in the Valley.”
Alex didn’t understand. Surely, there was some other way to get to school? “Oh.. okay. And?”
“Well, it seems the mayor has asked the Museum Curator to educate the town children this year until they can get another bus to come. So next week, you won’t have to commute so far.”
Alex shook his head. She couldn't be right. She had to be mistaken. “But.. Granny? What about Gridball? My place on the team.. This year.. I was supposed to get scouted. I can’t not go.” This was everything to him. This was his life. His entire future was dependent on getting scouted into the pro league. “Can’t we drive?”
“We don’t have a car, dear. And Mayor Louis can’t exactly drive everyone in that old pickup of his. We did ask him to hurry it up by hiring a bus driver, but..” She winced. Getting the mayor to spend money on anything in their backwater town was impossible at best.
“B-but.. We had our own bus, didn’t we?”
“Oh, the old Calico Desert bus? That broke down too, right before summer. Poor Pam is out of a job. No funds to fix it.”
This couldn’t be happening. Alex struggled to get air. “But.. But..” If he didn’t go to high school, his chances of going pro went from possible to nonexistent. Pro Scots didn’t come out here; there was no reason to. He needed to talk to the mayor. He could.. He should..
Alex left the house in a hurry, his granny calling for him from behind the closed door. He ran the short way to the mayor’s house, banging on the door. He didn’t know why he expected he could change the Mayor’s mind. The alternative was to just accept it. He couldn’t do that. Going pro was what his entire life had been dedicated to. Without it? He had nothing. He was nothing. Without a professional sports career, he was a worthless nobody, just like his father told him. There was no Plan B.
Mayor Louis answered the door, surprised to see Alex. Before he could open his mouth, Alex was already pleading.
“You just need a bus, right? Like, how bad is it? Couldn’t someone in town fix it? Maybe I can fix it!” He couldn’t. “Mr. Mayor, is there really no money to get us to school?”
Louis chuckled, “I never pegged you as a scholar, Alex. I thought you kids would be elated not having to wake up so early for classes now.”
“No, I’m not happy.” Alex insisted, his expression wrought with pain. “It’s our last year of high school. It’s so fu--friggn’ important. If I don’t go back, I lose my spot on the team. I was captain! And the pro-scouts! They’ll be around, and I-”
“Alex! Alex.. I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I can do. The town coffers just aren’t enough to handle the expense. They can barely afford teaching you kids at that museum. The curator was kind enough to agree to taking you all on, plus the middle school children in town. Please understand we’ve done all we can. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
The mayor shut the door. Alex wanted to cry. Maybe if he’d been smarter, he could have negotiated better.
Stunned, out of sorts, he slowly left the front stoop of the mayor’s house. That was that, then. It was all over. In a daze, he walked down to the beach. Cobbles turned to sand. Morning turned to afternoon. The end of summer was coming, and so were all his dreams.