Chapter Text
Maybe it's just his brain playing tricks on him, but the peanut butter in Alberta doesn't seem to taste the same as it did back home. Not in the good sense, the peanut butter at home tasted ten times better. Maybe it's because Ezekiel bought the crunchy variant instead of the smooth. Or was it his roommate that bought it?
It doesn't matter. Ezekiel feels that, either way, the toast feels duller. His roommate in question— Pit or something like that — is out doing God knows what. Ezekiel has no idea and he doesn't want to know, anyway. Pit barely talks to him, despite Ezekiel's numerous attempts to initiate conversation. It kind of reminds him of his time on Total Drama.
Scratch that, it reminds him a lot of Total Drama.
Everyone was real cool, they were all Ezekiel wanted to be. Ezekiel was just Ezekiel. As much as he wanted to try learning something, anything from them to maybe seem cooler, no one really paid him any mind. Now that he's in college— his first time going to school outside his own house ever since he started school in the first place. He understands why his parents homeschooled him now.
Nonetheless, he tries to see the best in things. College is cool and exciting! The city has so many things, there's so much to see, so much to do! After spending his entire life on a farm, he should be looking forward to this.
Alright! He was gonna make the most out of today, he decided. With a last bite to his quite soulless toast, he swallows and rises from the recliner.
Much too fast, as his vision blurs slightly and he faceplants onto the ground like an idiot with a thump.
"Ow!"
… Great start to the day.
As it was sunny outside, Ezekiel decided he would wear his coat. He knows better than to trust the sun when it's November in Alberta. So in the end he has a coat over a hoodie over a sweater over a t-shirt. Those are quite a few layers, but his cold weather tolerance is surprisingly low, so he's not dying of heat under them. His boots crunch through the snow, mushy and slightly melted on the sidewalk, hands in his pockets while he makes his way to the only park nearby he knows.
To be honest, the city is still a new environment for him. He tends to get lost pretty often, but the park is one of the only places he knows how to get to without finding himself stranded and asking for directions to strangers for an hour before finding his way.
With his nose still a little busted with dried blood still visible above his lip, he probably looks a bit strange to the other people passing by. That's what Ezekiel thinks, at least. Since he notices people, he's sure others notice him as well. In reality, no one really cares enough to pay him any mind, but Ezekiel has convinced himself they do. He's just… quietly ignoring it, lingering in the back of his mind. They're watching you. So what? He's real cool, they can watch all they want!
It gets harder to convince himself of that every day that passes by. But he's Ezekiel Colin Chester! He's a strong boy that can handle anything thrown at him! Except maybe a piano? Um, anyway. He doesn't have to be scared of being seen a little! That's what he's wanted since he's been little. To finally be seen. Why in the world would he suddenly dread it? Ridiculous.
Get over yourself, Zeke. You're just going to the park.
Just to clear his mind, he'd stay for a few minutes then prepare himself for his classes. Which are only in the afternoon, but he likes to be early. He's real punctual, his teacher told him so! Ezekiel isn't sure why he looked annoyed telling him that, but he was probably having a rough morning, it's fine. Happens to everyone.
The wind blows against his face, cold against his skin. He just knows his cheeks and nose are redder than a tomato as of now. He probably looks like Rudolph the Reindeer. Oh! That reminds him, he's gonna have to make a Christmas list soon! He really wants a heating blanket to keep him warm in the dorm. Pit likes leaving the windows open for fresh air or whatever. Ezekiel doesn't dare to complain about it.
Once he reaches the park, he spots an empty bench easily. There aren't many people except an elderly man smoking and looking at the trees, a lady with a comically large coat and hat walking her dog (an Australian Shepherd, Ezekiel had one way back) and another lady reading something at another bench.
As he sits down on the free bench and rests his back against it, he realizes something: he didn't bring anything to pass the time here. Not a book, not his phone, nothing at all. Now that he's actually sitting down, he has pretty much nothing to do.
... This is kinda boring.
Truthfully, Ezekiel feels a little awkward like this. Just sitting here and doing absolutely nothing, looking around nervously. People probably think he's planning something! Oh, gosh, they probably think he's some kinda creepy that came here to watch people like a weirdo. They definitely think he's disgusting! Damn it!
No, no, calm down. You're overthinking this. No one's thinking anything right now, it's completely fine. So what if they think he's weird? Ezekiel knows he isn't, so it doesn't matter!
But he still has no idea what to do now. There's really nothing to do. He could try to strike up a conversation, maybe ask if he can pet that lady's dog, but the dog in question is pooping right now. And the lady doesn't seem to be having the best morning, either. He's totally gonna mess this up, no way!
So he's a little stuck. Man, he should've stayed home and watched the news or something.
Just as he gets up to leave, Ezekiel spots someone walking by the park, completely absorbed into the screen of their cellphone as they do. And... they're about to walk straight into the pile of poop from that lady's dog! Hey, she didn't even pick it up!
This is his moment! He's been waiting for this his entire life!
“Yo! Watch out!”
The person doesn't even realize Ezekiel is calling out to them before Ezekiel absolutely sprints out and nudges them away a little harder than intended.
Both fall to the ground, and the dog poop remains untouched.
“What the hell dude—”
Ezekiel can now tell the person is a man... He thinks, judging by the stubble on his face and the deepness of his voice. His nose is straight, similar to Ezekiel's own. His lips are thin, similar to Ezekiel's own. Actually, they kind of look alike, just that this dude's less tan and thinner than Ezekiel.
“Sorry, eh! You were about to walk straight into that pile of shit!” Ezekiel justified, straightening up and pointing directly at said pile of shit.
The man gives Ezekiel an unimpressed look, but it's soon replaced by an odd curiosity. He squints his eyes at him and adjusts his glasses, like he's examining the boy.
It makes his heart flutter nervously. Oh no! Did he get some of the feces on himself? Is he bleeding again? Oh God, this dude's totally pissed off at Ezekiel for slamming him on the ground! No doubt about it! This is the day he dies, probably.
“You look familiar,” the man muses, tilting his head to the side like it would help him fully recognize who he is.
Oh, no, he's being recognized from his time in Total Drama! No way! Why now?
“Ezekiel?”
“The one and only, haha... Um, nice weather, eh?” He answers, averting his gaze as he stands up from the damp ground and clears his throat. Ezekiel extands a hand towards the man to help him stand up, but he does so without taking the hand offered.
Okay, rude. Ezekiel lets his hand fall to his side and blinks because what else is he supposed to do?
“You must not recognize me. I guess that's fair, eh...” A sigh escapes the strange man, shoulders lightly sagging.
Oh, so not Total Drama. That's a rare one. In Alberta? Ezekiel didn't know anyone here. Well, before he moved here, obviously, but that's a given. So no, he doesn't recognize this man at all.
“No. Sorry! Well, my memory's pretty good usually, but uh, I think I'm having a blank, yo.”
Ezekiel scratches the back of his head as he examines the man further. Upon further examination, he still has no idea who this is or who this might even be.
“I don't blame you. Last time we saw each other was when I was 12. You were... what, 8 years old? Younger, surely.”
Damn. That's a while ago. Ezekiel's an adult now.
“I'm David. We're cousins, I don't know if you remember, though. Not really in the picture anymore, eh.”
Oh, now he remembers.
Cousin David. Ezekiel's parents had talked to him about all that happened with him. Actually, not all. Not much to begin with, but they told him enough.
“No way!”
“Yeah way!” David assured, giving a nod to ensure Ezekiel really got the message. And he did, thankfully.
So this was who the (in)famous David Chester was. On his dad's side of the family, son of his Uncle Randall... or, well, used to be, at least.
“You were the one who got disowned by Uncle Randy?”
Ezekiel doesn't realize how blunt that is, but David doesn't seem to take offense by it, thankfully. And maybe it would be a touchy subject, but Ezekiel is family after all. Maybe that lifts some tension off his shoulders.
“That's right.”
"Dang..."
There's a moment of awkward silence as Ezekiel stares at David like he's a scientist discovering a new species or something like that. David stares back just as awkwardly, blinking. It's no staring contest, it's just that neither know what to say for a while. Luckily (or unluckily) Ezekiel finds his words after a few seconds.
"I didn't know you were in Alberta, eh!"
David shrugs his shoulders, an indifferent look on his face.
"Moved here after they kicked me out. Well, when I got the money for it, obviously, but you know."
It made sense. Ezekiel gives a slow nod, scratching the back of his head.
"Are you studying here, of sum'n? I am!"
The enthusiasm in his voice announcing that is obvious. Of course he's excited, this is the first time he's studying outside his home. David of all people would know that better than most people, after all. They're in the same family— David was probably homeschooled, too! Though Ezekiel isn't sure, he doesn't know everything about uncle Randy's parenting style. He doesn't remember his wife's name, but he doesn't know her parenting style, either.
"I was, yeah. But I dropped out, I wanted to pursue Graphic Design on my own. College is expensive."
That was true. College is quite a wallet eater for basically almost every college student ever.
But being the little shit he was, Ezekiel just had to escape that, somehow.
"Oh, yeah. I mean, I got a scholarship, so no biggie!"
David stares at him like he just said he went on the moon. Hard to believe but telling by the look on his face, somehow possible. A single brow furrows, almost a twitch, while he stares him down. Damn, maybe he should've applied for a scholarship too, while he was at it. Too late now, anyway.
On the other hand, Ezekiel has no idea why he's being stared down like he murdered someone. He would never! He's too weak for that! Emotionally, at least. But hey, you gotta have at least a little bit of strength to be a farmer.
"What?"
"Nothing, nothing. You wanna talk inside? It's freezing out here, eh," David offers.
Right. They are still outside. In the snow. With the cold wind. Despite Ezekiel being well dressed for the weather, he understands not everyone might want to cover themselves in four layers. He thinks he's got four layers? Eh, he forgot. A lot of layers.
"Oh, yeah! Uh... inside where?"
"At my place. It's not that far away from here. I think my roommate's still home, though, fair warning."
A roommate? Well, Ezekiel guesses it's cheaper than living alone. That's cool.
"Neat! Okay, lead the way!"
He wonders what David's place will be like, as they walk in the direction he'd come from before being tackled by Ezekiel. Not that he knows him all that well (despite literally being cousins) but Ezekiel has a feeling it'll be all neat and clean but still cozy. Like, not overly squeaky but totally organized to welcome guests properly. He isn't sure why, but that's the vibe he gets from him. Or maybe his roommate is a troublemaker and messes up the furniture everywhere?
... Why is Ezekiel even thinking about this? Jeez, stop being a weirdo! Act cool, this is your not-that-long-lost cousin here!
No way he's gonna mess this up. He'll find out exactly why David was disowned and then he's gonna talk with him super smartly and comfort his lost soul!
That's the way to go, Zeke.
Or, well, at least he thinks so?