Chapter Text
“Life takes you to unexpected places. Love brings you home.”
Melissa McClone – Romance Writer
“When I was little I use to dream about all kinds of things. What it would be like to fly. How awesome it would be to have magic. How I wish I had a ton of brothers and sisters and so many cousins I couldn’t even count them all.”
“Growing up, it was just mom and I. Don’t get me wrong, my mom was the best! But we didn’t exactly have it easy. She worked a lot of hours to take care of us and I was alone most of the time.”
“She died when I was 10 and that’s when I realized that I never truly knew what being alone felt like. After that my dreams changed. I still wished I could fly but not for the same enjoyment of feeling the wind in my hair or seeing if I could lay on a cloud. All I could think of was flying away, getting away from all the social workers and all the homes and all the little punk kids that thought because I was new to the system meant I was an easy target. I was kicked out of my first shelter because I broke a bully’s nose and the second shelter because I broke another one's arm.”
“The only dream to stay somewhat the same was how badly I wished I had a family. That there was anyone, no matter how far removed, that could save me from this hell hole I now called my life. But alas, I’m 17 and I’m still here. I don’t pick fights anymore thanks to Charlie. He was the first person to ever try and help me through this shit. We first met 3 years ago and he’s been my best friend ever since. And now HE’S LEAVING!!”
“Oh Leo, don’t be so dramatic.”
I sit up from where I’ve fallen, I’ll admit dramatically, onto the director’s couch. “Mr. Brunner, you don’t understand. He is my only friend here, my mejor amigo. He’s like my left arm; how do I live without my left arm?”
Mr. Brunner gives me that Are you serious right now look as we both glance down at his wheel chair. I flush red and try to back track. “Ok, bad example, but seriously you have to help get me out of here… please!”
“How long did it take you to work up that speech? I’ve known you since even before you even came under my care. Did you really think a sob story with facts I already knew was going to work?”
I guess not. I think but don’t answer.
“The rules are simple Leo; when you turn 16 you get a job so that when you turn 18 you can work on leaving so you’re out by 19. You have a good job at the mechanic’s shop and you turn 18 in 9 months. Maybe if you start college applications now you can get accepted to a university by next fall.”
“Oh my god, that’s such a long time.” Now I’m just whining, I feel pathetic.
“Get out of my office Leo.” he says without any real anger.
Mr. Brunner has been my social worker since I was 14 but I remember meeting him when I was 12. He’s an older gentleman but no one really knows how old exactly. He cares a lot about the kids that are in his care; that’s why everything is so strict. Overall, he’s a much better social worker than any of the others I’ve had.
As I walk back to my room I wonder if my story will work on Charlie.
***
“Are you really asking me this right now?”
“Come on dude, just a little bit longer.”
“Leo, I turned 19 last month; I’ve already been here a year longer for you. I love you man but I gotta split. Besides, my government grant has finally come through and I can go to college. Aren’t you happy for me?”
“Of course I’m happy for you!”
What a stupid question! I might be a whiny little shit (his words, not mine) but I’m not that self-centered. If anyone deserved a shot at happiness it was Charlie. The guy has a heart of gold and the memory of an elephant. He will do great in college and with a good degree he can get a good job. Maybe meet a nice girl and have the life he’s always wanted.
I know, I know. Suck it up Valdez and be a man!
“I’m just really gonna miss you, asshole!”
I am not going to cry!
“You better email me all the time and I don’t mean short little how’s it going emails, I want a fucking novel.” I say as the first tear escapes and runs down my face.
Shit, here it comes
“Oh, come here you little shit.” Charlie grabs my arm and pulls me into a loud back slapping hug.
“You’re going to be fine.” he says after a minute of us still hugging.
I’m not crying, I don’t care what you think.
“And hey, you can come visit me and who knows maybe you’ll get accepted next year and we will be back together, just like old times.”
“Oh yea, I’ll add that to my dream list. Right after make out with an angel but before become a millionaire and live happily ever after.”
I guess it’s not that farfetched though. I only have one year left of high school and I have decent GPA, again all thanks to Charlie and his mandatory study nights.
“Don’t be so gloomy, you’ll see. We’re going to go to college, get awesome degrees, I’ll meet a nice girl and maybe she’ll have a sister… or a brother!” he adds with a wink.
When I hit him with my pillow I wonder if it’s possible to love someone and hate them just as much.
***
Now that Charlie is gone everything feels different. The room we shared is quieter; he was always typing on his computer or listening to music. Jokes don't seem as funny without his booming laughter. I’m sure I’ll have a new roommate soon, hopefully he’s cool and not a douche bag.
Something else Charlie was good at was making sure I wasn’t late to work. So when I walk up after I’ve snoozed my alarm about 3 times past when I needed to get up, I realize I’m walking to work today. Fan-tastic!
I hate walking, people are assholes in this town. Always blowing through yellows until they're running red lights; not looking where they're going. You have to wait at least 5 seconds after the light has turned red before you even think about walking.
Another thing that sucks about walking at this time is all the people pushing and shoving. Trying to make the light before the little white silhouette turns back into the big red hand. I’m not one to push my luck; I have so little of it to begin with. So when the countdown hits 3, I’m not about to start walking.
What I hear next really makes me wish I had. A grating voice that makes my blood boil.
Octavian Sinclair.
A pathetic excuse for a human being. He’s spoiled, arrogant, vicious and actually rather cowardly; hiding behinds his friends and never backing up any of his hateful words or threats.
We first met after I was placed in Mr. Brunner’s care and started attending the local high school. We were in chemistry together which should have been a red flag to begin with. What genius decided freshman should take chemistry? Anyway, I had managed to stay off of his radar for a few weeks but of course I knew who he was and the reputation he carried.
Then one day in class we were doing a handheld fireball experiment. It was the coolest thing I had ever seen in my life. A ball of fire that was actually cool enough that you could hold in your hand. Of course being the comedic genius that I am, as soon as the teacher even mentioned that people could juggle with them I instantly wanted to attempt it.
I lit the 3 balls and got started; everyone was watching and I was doing pretty well until I took a step back and stumbled over someone’s backpack. Luckily 2 of the balls hit the ground and were stepped on before anything was burned but of course the last one landed on my head and low and behold my cheap knock off hair gel was kind of flammable. It was put out quickly enough without any serious injury and most of the classroom was just shocked by what happened.
But not Octavian.
After a moment of stunned silence, he started laughing so hard he could barely breathe. Of course his little posse joined in until they were all forced to stop but as he was winding down he uttered the words that will forever hang over me and gave birth to the nickname that will follow me in this town until the day I die.
“YOU LIT UP LIKE A FUCKING MATCHSTICK!!!”
“Look who we have here fellas, it’s little matchstick. Set yourself on fire lately?”
“Octavian, what are you doing here with us commoners? Where’s your fancy car? Oh!” I say as I snap my fingers. “That’s right, you blew the engine!” He’s glowering at me now. “Gosh, I wonder how long that will take to fix?”
We both know I’m the one fixing his car. His Uncle is good friends with the shop owner and my mentor. It really ticks him off that he has to rely on me for anything. I remember when they first dropped it off. Octavian’s Uncle Apollo was so upset with the boy. Octavian looked like he had been yelled at for hours.
“Hephaestus buddy! I have a problem. Hot Rod here blew the engine in my Lexus; please tell me you can fix it?” I came out of the back room then and when my nemesis and I made eye contact an emotion I couldn’t place crossed his face before it turned to stone.
“What are you doing here?” he snapped, his voice full of disgust. “OCTAVIAN!” his uncle scolded him. Apollo is a good guy; his relative must be a real piece of shit to have raised a monster like his nephew. “This is my apprentice Leo.” Hephaestus comments. “As a matter of fact Leo, this would be a good project for you. What do you say Apollo? It may take a little longer but I can make an adjustment to the labor cost for you?”
“Uncle! I need my car back like… now. I can’t go the rest of summer without one. Besides, I’m sure you don’t want an… apprentice... working on my car.” He says it like it is the lowest job he could ever imagine possible.
Apollo turns to face his nephew completely, “For 1 – it’s my car that I thought you were responsible enough to dive. Apparently I was wrong!” Octavian shrunk back a little at that. “And 2 – I think this is a perfectly acceptable additional to your punishment. Maybe then you will learn to respect property better!” He turns back to us, “Take all the time you need Leo. Just let me know whenever it's ready please.”
Octavian has been an ass to me ever since. Well, he has always been an ass but now I hear from his sorry ass multiple times a day.
“I want my car back you little shit. You better finish it soon or I’m going to take a tooth for each day you’re not done.”
“It will be done when it’s done hot rod !” He doesn’t really like that answer if the rough bump to my shoulder is any indication.