The Lives We Lead (A Student In Need Book 2)

by Nicolas Schrammeck

  “Alex…….in the kitchen there’s a cupboard next to the fridge…..would you please bring me what’s in it?”

  Alex nodded offing Leo a small squeeze of the hand before leaving his side to get what Leo had requested. Finding the cupboard Alex had been about to open it when a sound from behind him made him turn. He found Leo carrying the box past him before exiting the house and moving into the backyard. Frowning Alex pulled open the cupboard only to freeze when he saw what was inside. Slowly he reached in, gripping the two objects inside before pulling them out and following Leo into the backyard. He watched as Leo dropped the box onto the ground before picking up an old shovel which leaned against the wall of the house. “Leo? What are you gunna do?”

  Leo didn’t respond, instead he walked past the edge of the patio and into the grass before setting the shovel blade against the ground and began to dig. Moving forward Alex spoke firmly. “LEO.”

  Leo looked up at him, his eyes filled with a kind of grim determination Alex had never seen before; it made him fall silent. He watched as Leo turned back to the ground and continued to dig without saying a word. He watched as Leo dug until he had a hole about two feet wide and two feet deep.“Leo……”

  But Leo spoke over him. “Give me the bottle Alex.”

  Alex looked down at his hands. In one hand he held the bottle of vodka that had been in the cupboard, in the other hand he held….. He moved, pushing what was in his second hand into Leo’s, so he could see. He watched as Leo looked down at the photo he’d been giving. It was a high school photo from a year book. In it, a 16 year old Leo half smiled, his head slightly turned trying to hide true signs of a bruise on his cheek. Across the bottom of the photo the words, NEVER AGAIN had been written in bright red ink. Leo felt his breath hitch in his chest as he looked at the photo. He remembered when this had been taken. The night before he and his father had gotten into a huge argument which had resulted in his father hitting him because he was being ‘disrespectful’. Swallowing painfully Leo spoke. “Please Alex……..give me the bottle.”

  Alex looked at him, for a moment before handing over the bottle of vodka, watching as Leo turned it over in his hands. As Leo’s eyes scanned the vodka he found it was his father’s favorite brand, but what truly caught his attention was that it was unopened. Slowly his eyes shifted upwards, finding the date that had been printed on the bottle……..almost 15 years ago. The meaning of this hit him full force, strong enough to make him sway slightly as tears began to well up in his eyes. He felt Alex move, coming to grip his hand before leading him back to the patio and down into a small folding chair. “Leo……speak to me…..what’s going on?”

  Leo sniffed loudly, as he wiped away the tears that clung to his skin before speaking. “This is his favorite brand…..and he bought it 15 years ago. I………..I think he quit drinking.”

  Next to him Alex, smiled before touching the hand that still held the photograph. “He wanted to change. To be a better man than the one you knew. He loved you.”

  Leo nodded, closing his eyes for a moment as a fresh wave of guilt and pain washed over him. His father had tried to change. To become a better man; and yet it had all been for nothing. Leo’s anger hand blinded him; he’d never given his father a chance. Growling Leo opened his eyes before standing up. He grabbed the edge of the box and hurled it into the hole he’d dug before twisting the cap off the vodka and turning it upside down, emptying the entire bottle on top of the plastic tapes.

  As the last drops of liquid fell from the bottle he moved, digging into his pocket to get his father’s lighter which he’d grabbed before coming out here. Flicking the metal cap open Leo snapped his wrist watching as a single orange and red flame blossomed into existence in front of his eyes. Taking several deep breaths he spoke, more to himself than to Alex who remained silent as he watched. “For 20 years these tapes have ruined my life. Not anymore.”

  He dropped the lighter into the hole; watching as the small flame touched a spot of vodka only to ignite it with a loud ‘SWOOSH’. Almost at once the box and the tapes inside burst into flames. He watched, as the black plastic of the tapes, cracked and broke before slowly beginning to bubble as they melted. He felt Alex move, coming to stand next to him before slipping his hand into Leo’s as he too watched the tapes burn. He watched as the flames, lashed and ripped at the tapes, destroying them and the horrors they contained. Neither of them spoke as they watched the flames. They just stood there, hand in hand; sharing the moment with each other as the flames slowly destroyed the tapes until there was nothing left but a twisted, puddle of black sludge. As the flames began to die down Leo shifted, moving to grab the shovel and begin to fill the hole back in. He watched as each shovelful of dirt chocked the flames, making them die. Only once the hole was completely filled in did Leo speak. “Come on……let’s go home.”

  Alex nodded, taking the hand that Leo was holding out for him.

  LATER

  The drive back home was slow, but at the same time fast. Time seemed to move very slowly inside the car as they drove. Leo hardly spoke, his eyes remaining locked on the road as he drove. Yet despite this slowing of time, they soon found themselves back home; passing by the local shops, and the college before turning onto the street they lived on before…….

  Alex cocked his head slightly as he found that Jason's jeep was in front of Leo’s house. Inside the house the lights were on and Alex could easily see people move around inside. Pulling into the garage Alex had been about to get out of the car when Leo’s hand touched his making him stop. He looked at Leo who wore a kind of sad smile across his face. “Thank you.”

  Alex cocked his head. “For what?”

  Leo took a deep breath. “For…..everything. You didn’t have to come with me but you did. You didn’t have to put up with family’s bullshit but you did. You’ve…….you kept me from going crazy. Because of you……..I have my father back, in a sense. I just…….thank you.”

  Alex smiled back at Leo before leaning in to kiss his cheek. “We’re together Leo. My problems are your problems, and your problems are my problems. Ok?”

  Leo smiled and nodded. “OK.”

  After planting another kiss on Leo’s cheek Alex hopped out of the car before moving into the house with Leo behind him. He’d seen his brother’s jeep in front of the house and he was curious to know why his brother was there. “Jason?”

  His voice was met with a small grunt as Jason called to him from another room in the house. “In the living room.”

  Moving through the hallway Alex entered the living room only to feel a large smile spread across his face. In front of him Jason and Anthony had been hard at work, moving furniture before setting up a large Christmas tree that now stood in the corner of the room. “Welcome back. Do you like it?”

  Alex nodded, feeling Leo come to a stop behind him as he looked at the tree. “It’s……big.”

  Across from them Anthony appeared from behind the tree. “I hope so. It’s gotta fit all our presents under it.”

  Leo raised an eyebrow but smiled. “Then it’s perfect.”

  Alex glanced upwards, seeing Leo’s face smiling put his heart at ease. He and Leo moved into the living room; moving to help hang the remaining ornaments on the tree. As they worked Alex gave Jason a hug. “Thank you.”

  Jason hugged him back. “What are big brothers for?”

  For a while things felt almost normal. Alex and Leo changed clothes, before moving to help Jason and Anthony decorate. As they worked Leo pulled Anthony aside for a moment. “Hey….thank you for doing this.”

  Anthony shrugged. “It’s nothing. I figured you’d been busy enough that you hadn’t gotten around to decorating so I figured Jason and I could help.”

  Leo smiled and touched Anthony’s shoulder. “I……..thank you.”

  Anthony nodded before moving in a little closer, while speaking softly. “So……how did it go?”

  Leo sighed and smiled weakly. “It went………ok. I got my a
ss emotionally kicked a few times. And a friend showed me just how badly I’d treated my father over the years but……….honestly……I feel free. For the first time in years I don’t feel like there’s this dark little secret that is following me around. I feel……free.”

  Anthony smiled at him. “Good.”

  As Anthony turned to go back to decorating Leo touched his hand making him stop. “Hey……..I…..I just wanted to say……..I’m sorry I was such a jerk to you all those years ago. I was just……I was so mad at everyone. And I took it out on you…..and I’m sorry. ”

  Anthony sighed before smiling at him again. “It’s ok Leo. I understand. I just………I wasn't the person you needed; Alex is.”

  Leo smiled sheepishly at Anthony who smiled back. Leo opened his mouth to say more when Jason cut him off. “Hey are you two gunna help at all or are Alex and I going to do all the work?”

  Soon the house had changed, becoming much more festive as tinsel and garland added shades of green, complete with a small bundle of mistletoe that hung in the doorway; an opportunity Leo used to pull Alex into his arms before planting a gentle kiss on his lips. As they finished decorating the tree Leo spoke. “I’m hungry.”

  There was a general murmur of agreement from Anthony, Jason, and Alex. “So what sounds good to eat?”

  Jason, Anthony and Alex all spoke at once. “PIZZA!”

  Leo smiled and jerked his attention back towards the bedroom. “Let me and Alex just get out jackets and then we can go.”

  Jason watched as Leo and Alex vanished down the hallway; only turning to look at Anthony when he was sure they were gone. His eyes flicked towards the doorway to the kitchen where the mistletoe hung. Making up his mind Jason grabbed Anthony’s wrist before leading him into the doorway. “Jason what are-?”

  But Jason interrupted Anthony’s words by pressing his lips to Anthony’s. The kiss was short but passionate. As they pulled apart Jason spoke. “Merry Christmas.”

  Jason grinned at Anthony who blushed sheepishly for a moment before leaning in to capture Jason's lips. Jason groaned as he felt Anthony’s tongue flick across his lips. He took charge, pushing Anthony until his shell was pressed against the door frame. His hand moved, running down Anthony’s chest making the purple turtle shudder and groan as the kiss prolonged. He felt Anthony’s hands move too, wrapping around his neck, encouraging him to deepen the kiss which he did, enjoying the groan that slipped past Anthony’s lips.

  The kiss only ended when their lungs burned for air, making them pull apart but not away; instead resting their foreheads against each other’s. For several seconds the world was silent as they looked at each other. Rah leaned in, ready to claim Anthony’s lips again. “What have we here?”

  Both of them flinched, their eyes snapping to Leo and Alex who stood in the doorway. Leo had a slightly amused smile on his face while Alex had a look of slightly confusion. Jason felt his face heat up as they broke part. Next to him Anthony spoke nervously. “I……um…..I had some tinsel in my eye and Jason was helping me to get it out.”

  It was a lame excuse. In the doorway Leo smiled at them. “What you two do in your personal lives is your business.”

  Next to him Alex continued to look confused for a moment before comprehension flashed across his face. “Jason…..are you-”

  But Jason cut him off. “I’m not gay. I just………..”

  He wasn't sure what made him do it. Wasn’t sure what made him reach over and pull Anthony’s hand into his before continuing to speak.“I just……don't mind so long as it’s Anthony who’s kissing me. Got it?”

  The last words came out vaguely threatening. As though daring them to laugh or argue with him. Leo continued to smile while Alex giggled. “Ok Jason…..whatever you say……you big softy.”

  Jason growled warningly at Alex who ignored him and continued to giggle as they moved to leave the house...

  MEANWHILE

  He'd been here for hours. He’d watched as the purple and red turtle had gone into the house and had begun to decorate. In a way he supposed that was cute. But they weren’t his target. Then a new car had pulled up, the owner of the house had pulled into the garage. He readied himself. For over an hour he watched the house, waiting for the chance to see his target. Above him the sky darkened as nighttime rolled around. He’d been about to call it a day when he’d seen movement. The front door had opened and a turtle stepped out of the house. He readied himself, angling his camera towards the house ready to capture a picture of his target. He watched as a blue turtle came out first, then a purple one then a red one and finally……..he readied himself as the last turtle, his target; slowly left the house. Pressing the button he heard the flurry of metallic clicks as his camera snapped a dozen photos of the orange banded turtle.

  “Found you.”

  I’d like to thank anyone and everyone who purchased this book.

  If you have comments or questions please contact me at gameguy199@gmail.com

  Also I would love to hear what you think of the story so please leave a review.

  And keep your eyes peeled for the 3rd and final novel in the series ‘THE THINGS WE GAIN’

  HERE IS A LITTLE SNEAK PEAK AT BOOK 3.

  ENJOY.

  From his hiding spot Leo watched the elevator doors. He’d seen Alex come out, watched as the young turtle had hurriedly run off in the opposite direction looking for a place to hide. And now he stood here alone, the only sound on the entire floor coming from the old manual clock that hung on the wall.

  He felt his heart jolt as the second elevator came to a stop; its bell letting off a small ‘ding’ as the doors opened. He felt adrenaline hit his system as a bobcat stepped out of the elevator. Looking the bobcat up and down took in his slightly unkempt fur, ragged jeans, and 2 sizes to big jacket. He watched as the bobcat looked around before hurrying off in a random direction.

  Doing his best to remain silent Leo followed, trying to keep the bobcat in his sight as he moved from shelf to shelf looking for Alex. Continuing to scan the bobcat Leo tried to figure out why he was following Alex. He wore no school symbols of colors, so Leo could guess he was not from the school. But other than that Leo could come to no conclusions as to why the cat would be following Alex.

  Leo bit his lip as the bobcat let out a growl of anger and spoke to himself in a low voice. “You won’t get away from me. Not after I’ve spent so much time looking for you.”

  Letting off a low growl of his own Leo forced himself to remain calm, instead grabbed a book off the shelf before straightening up and moving down the row of books the bobcat was in. as he came in closer to the bobcat he spoke, raising his voice a few notes higher than was needed in hopes that Alex would hear him and know that he was here. “Hello. Can I help you find anything you’re looking for?”

  The bobcat flinched and looked at him, obviously started by his sudden appearance out of nowhere. After a moment the bobcat responded, his voice shaking slightly out of shock. “N..no……I already know what I’m looking for.”

  Leo nodded, but continued to move forward towards the bobcat, making it look as though he were about the place the book in his hand on the shelf directly in front of the bobcat who began to move, making his way down the row. At the last moment Leo acted. “excuse me….”

  The bobcat turned, probably to tell him to go away; only to have his words cut off as Leo slammed the cover of the book he was carrying into the side of the bobcat’s head. Instantly the bobcat staggered backwards letting out a yelp of pain as he did so. His back hit the bookshelf behind him. swinging the book again Leo grunted as the bobcat lashed out, catching Leo just below the stomach, making him stumble backwards as the bobcat ran away down the row of books.

  Regaining his stance after a moment Leo followed. As he reached the end of the row he found the bobcat was still running from him, towards what looked to be a kind of study area for people to use. Taking aim, Leo hurled the book in his hands as best he could, throwing it like a disk a
t the running bobcat. It struck him in the back of the head, sending him off balance and crashing into a chair, which in turn made him fall; colliding with a desk which overturned as he grabbed at the desk trying to use it to break his fall.

  Leo’s eyes widened as from under the desk Alex appeared, screaming in fear as his hiding place was destroyed. “LEO!”

  Alex ran towards him, tears streaming down his face. Pulling Alex into a hug Leo paused just long enough to nuzzle the frightened turtle’s neck for a fraction of a second. “It’s ok. I’m here. just ru-”

  But the rest of his words were cut off as a metallic clicking sound made him look up.

  The bobcat had gotten to his feet. In his hand he held a revolver which was now pointed directly at Leo and Alex.