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guavejuice) wrote2014-08-17 08:42 am
Living in Hope AU series Part 2/10
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urugwaj thank you SO much!!Author:
guavejuicePairing:Brian/Justin
Gus' POV
Beta:Kim
predec2 Can't thank you enough!!!This is NOT a WIP.
Click here for previous chapters.
Disclaimer:I own nothing but this story.
Comments are love.
Part 2
I enter my room and throw my school bag on the chair. Then I grab my iPad and earphones and proceed to sit on my bed with my legs folded underneath me. I go through my playlist, picking one particular song from the selection. It's an old song by this British group The Cure which I know my dad loved, like,30 fucking years ago. I don't know why, but as I hear the first few bars in my ears I decide to scroll down through the picture folder on my IPad.
My eyes run across a few pictures I uploaded there of me with several friends goofing around at some school events. I scroll down even further and then I stop and take a closer look at the file I was searching for. It's a bunch of pictures that were taken years ago when I was about eight years old, back when Justin and my dad had taken me on a trip to Disneyworld. I look at this one pic where I'm standing in the middle of the picture wearing those inevitable, goofy Mickey Mouse ears (Justin made me wear them!) and holding a plastic Buzz Lightyear laser gun, smiling as Dad and Justin stand proudly on either side of me.
I don't know why I was even thinking about searching for this picture, because I didn't even remember it until now, but I'm really excited I found it. I know how much Dad and Justin love me and consider me a part of their life, but I also know they have their own lives as a long-time couple. Do I wish I was able to spend more time with them? Sure, but I guess I should be grateful for what I've got. Still, I'm not feeling any less restless. Not only that, but now I feel as though Mom must really be disappointed in me for declining her offer to join them at that fundraiser. I love Uncle Ben even more than I like Michael, to be honest, and I think it's cool he's still involved in all this charity work, but… I don't know. Maybe he's got more hope than I do. I mean how can you still have hope after everything that’s happened?
________________________________________
-Four weeks earlier, at school-
"Gus, can you please come over here a minute?" My English teacher, Mrs. Gilbert, called out to me while we were all doing our class work. I lifted my head from the textbook and noticed the faculty advisor and my counselor standing at the door, looking at me. I swallowed hard as I arose from my seat.
"Is there anything wrong?" I asked, trying to keep my composure.
"Your mom just called, Gus. There’s been some kind of incident at a local LGBT club where your… one of your family members work, and… she asked for our permission to let you leave so you can go home...” the faculty counselor quietly explained.
"I… I don't understand…what?" I stumbled, trying to run every possible scenario in my head.
"We don't know much about it, Gus. Mrs. Peterson-Marcus – your mom – didn't provide us with a lot of details, but she asked for you to be dismissed early. It's okay, you can go,” Mrs. Gilbert confirmed. “You can catch up with the rest of your classes later.”
I nodded at her, grabbing the pass she handed me as I walked anxiously across the hall toward the front entrance, wondering what was going on as I hurried to my car to head home.
________________________________________
-An hour later-
When I stepped inside the hallway at home, I noticed that my mom, Mel, JR, my dad, Justin, and Debbie, Michael’s mom who I simply adore, were all sitting in the living room.
"Gus!" Mom exclaimed in relief as she rushed over to me and swept me up into a tight hug.
"What’s going on? They wouldn’t tell me anything at school. Why is everyone here?” My words rushed out of my mouth in a torrent of apprehension.
My mom and dad exchanged a look between them as she pulled back from our embrace, opening her mouth to explain. But Debbie beat her to it.
"Some bastards decided to use the Youth Center for a target range,” she spat out in contempt. “There was a shooting there earlier today. Ben and a few other coworkers were injured… and… one of the young girls who was there at the time…she’s dead," Debbie whispered, her voice trembling as if she were still unable to believe it.
"What the fuck??" I blurted out in stunned astonishment, not even caring that I had dropped the 'F' word. Ben had opened the Youth Center a few months ago, and we had been really excited for him. Dad had even donated a hefty sum, Michael and Justin had handed out free copies of their Rage comic books, Mel had offered free legal advice, and we had all dropped by there whenever we could to help with certain activities, such as playing games, conducting art workshops, and even participating in cooking classes. It was quickly becoming a much-needed haven for LGBT youth in the community who frequently were ridiculed or bullied by others. And now this?
"Will…Will he be okay?" I asked quietly.
"He's just gotten out of surgery," my dad told me, his voice unexpectedly breaking.
"Michael is there with him. He said the doctor told him Ben is expected to make a full recovery," Mel interjected, clutching tightly onto JR's hand.
"I just can't believe it. It's like going through the whole Babylon bombing all over again," Mom replied, wiping her eyes.
“Which is why we left in the first place," Mel mentioned in a stern voice.
"You made the right decision to come back home, honey," Debbie said, smiling through her tears. "I mean… we might have won the war, but the fight isn't over…is it? Shit, I may have to work harder these days to convince myself to believe in my own words of wisdom." she looked at me and obviously tried not to break down. Her face brightened slightly when her husband Carl, a retired police detective, walked back in from the kitchen and handed out cups of tea.
"I have to be honest with all of you," Carl advised as everyone looked over at him expectantly. "It's not getting any easier. I mean, back when we worked on the club bombing case, we thought a line had been crossed then, but now…I’m not so sure.” He shook his head sadly.
I just stood there listening to them, looking at their faces. Fuck! I wish there was something I could say or do, but I felt totally helpless, which made me even angrier.
I let out a sigh and sat on the sofa next to my mom. Dad and Justin sat across from us. I noticed Justin's grim expression, and I realized that so far he was the only one who hadn’t said a word. JR and I were too young to remember the club bombing itself. It affected us somewhat with Mom and Mel's decision to leave the States, but I know it obviously affected Justin, Dad and the others much more.
"Are you okay, Justin?" I whispered to him. He looked at me and smiled quietly. Out of everyone in that room I obviously felt closer to him, not just because he's my dad's partner and he’s still rather young, but also because I feel we share so much.
I was so excited when, after one of our conversations at the start of my senior year in high school, he had suggested the idea of establishing a gay/straight student alliance at my school. Later on, when I told him things were going really well, he seemed really pleased and gave me one of his beaming smiles, which reminded me of why my dad is still so in love with him. I know that's how my dad feels, even though he has never said anything about it to me. He doesn't have to, I guess. It's enough for me to just see them when they're together.
Normally, most teenagers don’t gush about how lovey-dovey their parents can get, and I'm no different when it comes to that, not to mention that my dad and Justin's public displays of affection are few and far between. But still… there's something about my dad and Justin when they're together that just touches my heart in ways I can't explain.
As they both sat on the couch in our living room, I could see my dad touching the palm of Justin’s right hand ever so gently with his own, and then wrapping his other hand around Justin's shoulders.
"Why don't you two head back home, Brian?" Mom suggested gently, turning to Dad with a tired smile. "You've done more than enough already. We'll keep you informed."
I noticed my dad nodding towards my mom in silent gratitude as Justin got up and tried to smile. I didn't want to ask too much at this point, but I could sense there was more going on.
"I’ll walk you out," I volunteered. I just had to get out of the living room for a while, stand in the drive way and take a breather while I got my thoughts in order.
"Will you be okay, Gus?" Justin suddenly asked before entering my dad’s Jeep a few minutes later.
"I will, but it's just that…" I answered, stopping in mid-sentence. I didn't really know what to say. I was touched by Justin's concern when he was the one that was clearly shaken the most by the day’s events.
"We'll keep in touch, Sonny Boy." Dad grabbed my hand and hugged me before he entered the driver's seat.
"Sure will," I answered him as I slowly turned around to return to the house.
"Ben is going to be fine. They're keeping him for a couple more days, mainly for observation," I heard Mel informing everyone present as I went inside. She pressed the disconnect button as she explained, “That was Michael.” She paused for a moment. “The youth club wasn't so lucky. The place is now shut down, and the police told him they don't know when they can open it again," she reported grimly.
"Fucking bastards!" Debbie cried out, and I just knew we couldn’t just sit still. There's something that needed to be done. But…What the fuck should we do?
________________________________________
-Present time-
I sit on my bed with my back pressed to the wall. My earbuds are stuck in my ears, and my childhood picture file is still open on my IPad.
Fuck! It’s almost 4 p.m. I have soccer practice, and I'm yet to write that essay and study for my upcoming SAT and stuff, and…and…
I don't know what's bothering me, but I know it's there. I know I could speak to one of my close friends, but I'm not sure they'll understand. I grab my phone and press the speed dial. I'm not really sure if I should call Justin now, but somehow I feel it's the right thing to do.
"Hey," I hear his voice.
"Hi, just wanted to know how you were…" I tell him.
"I'm fine, Gus,” he answers, but I detect an air of angst in his voice. The guy has known me for eighteen years, starting with the night I was born. I’m thankful that he's part of my life, but I still feel as though there's more than meets the eye here. Now wouldn’t be a good time to put him on the spot, though.
"Your dad just spoke with Michael earlier today, by the way. Ben is doing a lot better. They're both excited about the fundraiser tomorrow night," Justin informs me, sounding a bit more upbeat.
"Are…Are you and Dad planning on attending the event?" I ask. "I mean…I thought you had other plans..." I mention.
"We can never say no to Ben," Justin replies dryly in amusement. "Of course we'll be there. Ben is reopening the youth center. It's the most amazing thing, especially after what happened a month ago, don't you think?" he says.
"I…I guess so," I reply, suddenly feeling a little uncomfortable. "Look, I have to go, Justin, I have stuff to do…"
"Aren't you going to be there as well?" he asks before I'm about to hang up the phone.
"I don't know…I don't think so…" I mumble.
"You know I can't tell you what to do, Gus,” he tells me softly. “I never liked being told what to do when I was your age, either. God! I can't believe I just said that,” he adds with a chuckle. “But anyway, I thought you of all people would be interested in attending such an event. And… don't let your dad know I told you this, but I have a feeling he would be really proud if you came," Justin informs me. "Plus, I've heard Ben has arranged for some cool entertainment for the evening as well."
"Oh?" I'm definitely more intrigued now.
"Don't get your hopes up too high…but Michael told Brian that Ben has invited a few of his students to perform there. They have this rock band, so Ben thought it might be interesting; just thought you should know," Justin reveals. "But now I really have to go, Gus. I have things to do as well. Say hi to your mom and Mel for me, and to Jenny as well…"
"Will do. Give Dad a hug from me while you're at it, will you?" I say.
"I sure will…" Justin cracks a short giggle before we both hang up.
TBC…
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Great chapter!
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Thank you SO much for your encouraging words and supportive feedback as always my dear Car. It means so much to me.There is quite a bit of angst here, tbh. I'm thrilled to know you're looking forward for more.
*hugs you tight*
V.
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I also wonder what's bothering Gus.
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More to come as the story unfolds...
*hugs*
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Thank you so much for your supportive honest and warm feedback my dear. It means so much to me.
More to come...
*hugs*
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More to come as the story unfolds...