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It’s been five months since Ryland disappeared off the face of Earth.
He disappeared in the sense that he wouldn’t answer Tom’s digital approach whatsoever, no matter how many times he tried to call or text the missing man.
Sometimes he would wonder if he got blocked (no way.), but every time he was proven wrong as the messages still go through.
So Ryland did ghost him.
He was sure he did something to piss Ryland off. Either that or Seavers finally convinced his twin to never interact with Tom again. Which is impossible as of now.
Probably. He’s not really sure.
When Tom visited Ryland’s apartment, no one answered the bell. He even politely rang it seven times as a lucky charm.
So he did the logical thing.
He used the spare key under the carpet to unlock the door.
Ryland never really told him where the key was; but he found it one day when he visited Ryland’s apartment, absolutely stoned and drunk from one of his regular parties. His foot slipped on the carpet and out comes the shiny metal that he went ‘oooo what is this thing?’ and giggled to himself like a teenage girl at.
He never told Ryland he found it. Ryland would probably change the hiding spot. Which is bad. But he knew Ryland would do it– Ryland’s a big meanie, after all.
“Ryland?” he called out.
Silence.
“Ryrye? Hello? Ciao, bello?” he peeked his head through the gap between the doors to peer into the apartment. He even used Italian! Usually Ryland would point that out by now.
There was no one in sight.
‘Huh,’ he thought. ‘Did Ryland move away?’
He froze, ‘without telling me?! There’s no way!’ with that finishing sentence denying the possibility, he wiped that thought out of his head. Such depressing, could-never-be-real thoughts have no place in his glorious brain. ‘He’s probably just busy’.
It didn’t make it easier that Seavers also disappeared off the face of Earth, seeing as how he can’t even contact the guy anymore.
The question is this: did they disappear together, so that now they are in the same place,
Or.
Or, they are in completely different places from one another.
Which, which is really bad if that happens. Because it makes things harder for himself. It makes it harder for him to find Ryland. Which he considers catastrophic.
Since technically he always goes to Seavers when he wants to find Ryland. But that isn’t really an option anymore, since he’s gone too.
Tom winces as he recalls the moment Seavers's back connected with the floor after he fell from, basically, the sky. How many floors did he fall from again? Probably more than six. He really didn’t mean for it to just fall. It was meant to catch, it was a prank. A silly little prank to give Seavers a little scare.
If he didn’t feel like a horrible person when Seavers's back shattered to bits, he sure felt even worse when he looked to his side and saw Ryland having a panic attack.
As the ambulance arrived, Seavers passed him as he was wheeled away.
Tom gave him a little thumbs up. Just to poke, to see if he was coherent enough.
Seavers returned the thumbs up.
Tom immediately felt guiltier; his arms promptly dropped to his legs. Maybe Colt wasn’t an asshat like Tom really thought he was.
They haven’t met again since then. Colt disappeared.
That goes the same for Ryland. Which is why he is suffering.
He can’t live without his small science fun facts he forgets in the next hour everyday. He’s already feeling himself shrivelling up from Ryland-deficiency.
“Ryland?” He stepped into the apartment and looked around.
It looks almost abandoned, but there were still a few of Ryland’s things laying around. The table he used to mark his student’s assignments still had his laptop and a ton of other papers on it. It even had a deserted coffee mug.
Tom frowned. Ryland wouldn’t leave his coffee mug lying around. Well, he would; but at the end of the day he would clean it up and leave it on the rack. He’s been here enough times to mentally be able to see what Ryland would do.
He paused.
Hm. Maybe Ryland’s at his school. This is a weekday.
Tom raised his wrist to look at his watch.
It’s not past 5 P.M. yet. He could be there.
Would Ryland praise him if he cleaned up the apartment for him? I mean, Ryland’s probably pissed. So logically if he helped Ryland clean up, there’ll be less nagging. He looked at the apartment, messy, but homey as always.
He should clean some things up.
–
There. All done.
He’s not that great at cleaning things up, but everything seems neat and tidy enough.
Tom looked to the drying rack, seeing the wet cup he just cleaned. He felt fulfilled and satisfied, somehow. He usually never does this kind of stuff, even for himself. Maybe for Ryland he can manage.
He looked down to his hand, it was holding one of Ryland’s winter hats. He had picked it off the floor.
Ryland wouldn’t mind one souvenir missing, right?
–
He whistles as he cuts some lanes. People honk their car horns at him.
See if he cares.
He taps the wheel with his fingers, a rhythm he stuck to. To calm himself down. His temper was quite bad, after all. Incompetent drivers didn’t make it any better. But he’ll manage it. For Ryland.
He’s given Ryland a lot of space– Ryland wouldn’t mind if he visited now. He might have done something to piss Ryland off, but he’s acted so maturely this time. Surely Ryland would forgive him for whatever he did!
Tom clicked his tongue as his visit was stopped by traffic. His car slowed to a stop behind an black jeep. No matter how rich he is, he can’t really change the population of the people that own cars. This traffic just serves to piss him off more and more. Why were there so many people on this planet? Why did the lights have to conveniently turn red when he was just about to reach his destination?
He glances to the passenger seat next to him. The hat he borrowed, because he didn't steal the hat. He was going to give it back to Ryland once he reached– what was the school’s name again? Ah. Grover Cleveland Middle School. Of course he knew the name. He totally didn’t only remember the location of the school.
The cotton winter hat laid there quietly. He all but stared at it, contemplating his next action.
He turned his head to the traffic light. 93 seconds left.
Plenty of time.
Tom grabbed the hat impulsively; he inhaled the smell of Ryland’s shampoo that still lingers between the red cotton and grins.
Ahh. To feel like a highschool girl. If he was a girl on a bed he’d sure as heck be kicking his feet in the air right now.
Time came too fast. He glanced at the traffic light to find that it was once again green.
Doesn’t matter. He’ll get to be next to the real thing soon enough.
He steps on the pedal as he drives to the security checkpoint and lowers his side windows, moving his sunglasses downwards a little to stare at the security person. The security person rolls their eyes, sighs, and opens the gate. As he drives past them, he hears them mutter, “If he’s here for Mr. Ryland Grace again, he’s out of luck.”
Out of luck?
He drives past where the bikes are parked and sees Ryland’s bike. So he is here! What was that guard even talking about?
Tom parks his car at the empty parking lot. He once asked Ryland why the parking lots were empty during the day and he got stared at like he was stupid. Apparently parents just drop off their kids and go on with their day.
How was he supposed to know that? His parents never bothered with him. There was always this driver waiting for him at the parking lot. He thought it was normal. He forgot about every single one of his classmates when he was in high school anyway.
He got out of his car, closed the door, and locked the car. Can’t have people stealing it.
He almost walks into the building, but he takes a stop in front of Ryland’s bike.
…Why does it look like it’s been untouched for decades?
Tom frowns. He takes off his sunglasses and just stares at the bicycle.
No.
Ryland wouldn’t leave his bicycle. Tom offered to buy him a car, and Ryland rejected it. Offered him a cheap car (otherwise Ryland wouldn’t have even given the thought a chance), still rejected it. Offered him a motorcycle, Ryland just chuckled and said ‘gas prices have been crazy lately’.
So there was no way he would leave his bike until it’s like this. Leaves sticking everywhere. Even some residue of rain, dirt, wind and whatnot.
He rushed to the front of the school building and pinpointed the front counter of the school desk and stopped in front of it. He didn’t need to slam his hands or anything. Just the sound of his footsteps made the School Receptionist look up at him.
The School Receptionist laced her fingers together, “Tom Ryder. A regular, I see. I think I know what you are here for, and my answer is this: we have not seen him for months now.”
Before he could reply, or even possibly blame her; she said, “If you came here for answers to where he is, I am afraid we are as lost as you are.” She gathered the papers on her desk and knocked the bottom of it to the desk to make the stack of papers tidy. “What I do know is this: the Principal has received a call. Ryland Grace will no longer be a teacher at this school.”
Tom balled his hands into fists at his side, “Call from who?”
“I am merely the School Receptionist,” she tells him, “I have no right to disclose who it is from, nor do I know the exact details. However, Ryland Grace has been replaced, and he is not coming back.”
Tom’s hands suddenly lost all tension.
She looked at him, almost pitifully. Though, that may just be in his imagination.
“He is not a teacher at this school anymore.” She had told him. “I’m sorry, Tom.”
–
Tom tapped the wheel almost impatiently.
“C’mon Gail… pick up the phone…”
The phone rings almost impatiently. The red light from the traffic pole only serves to fuel his irritation further.
“Gail… not the time to be leisurely sipping coffee…” He digs his nails into the wheel. A habit Ryland really hates– not because it hurts Tom or anything. Okay, maybe a little. He never really knows what that cute dork is thinking. But knowing Ryland, it’s probably because ‘it hurts him to see the leather being dug into’, or something.
God, he misses Ryland. Where the hell is he?
He hears the call connect as the traffic lights turn green and the cars start to move.
“This better be important, Tom.” He hears Gail's voice, perpetually tired.
“Gail, I need you to find me Colt Seavers.” He swerves a corner, honking from cars erupting; but he doesn’t care. His driving etiquette had always been in the negatives.
He can’t find Ryland but he sure can find Colt.
At least, he hopes so.
Gail pauses, he could imagine her face scrunching right about now. “You want me to find Colt.”
“Yes.”
She sips something– probably her coffee, “The guy you hate?” Her voice sounds exhausted and now, also baffled.
“Hate is too strong of a word.”
“Not the point. You want me to find Colt?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I want to apologise for what happened.”
“Who are you and what have you done with Tom?” Gail sounds horrified, flabbergasted even, “The Tom I know would never apologise to anyone even if he was in a life-or-death situation.”
Tom frowns. He apologises to people.
Sometimes.
“Well, that and that he’s Ryland’s twin and if I find him it’ll probably make it easier to find Ryland.”
He hears Gail exhale, “Okay you have an ulterior motive. That makes more sense. I thought you were possessed for a second.”
Was he that bad? Jeez.
…jeez? Him? Using the word jeez as an expression? Ryland definitely affected his humour.
“Not the point. So, can you find him for me?”
“Nothing I can’t do. I’ve been hearing rumours about him being in this one district anyway. I’ll apologise on the behalf of the both of us first.” She paused, “Don’t ask him immediately where his brother is. He is protective, remember?”
Damn. Gail read his mind again.
“Chances are,” she continued, “that he doesn’t even know where his brother is.” She went quiet, “but you should still apologise to him, Tom.”
“...”
“Tom??”
“...”
“Tom. No. Don’t go find him. If you guys see each other– he’ll definitely punch you. You’re not his employer anymore. There’s nothing stopping him.”
“Where’s the district he’s been spotted at?” Tom gently loosens his grip on the wheel, relaxing a bit. At least he can find Colt. And Colt is basically equal to Ryland since he’s like a way finder to his twin. Everything’s fine.
“Tom. No.” Gail sounds downright terrified.
Poor woman. Being his manager must be tough.
“Just tell me, Gail.” He snorts, “I’ll let him punch me in the face once. I think I owe it to him for making him break his spine.”
“The make-up artists already hate you. Why are you going further to make them hate you even more?” Gail splutters and sighs, “You know what? Fine. He’s been spotted working at this small Mexican restaurant. It’s in alleyway XX-XX.”
“Thanks, Gail. Appreciate it.”
“No problem, Tom. I plead with you to not let him punch you more than one time, okay?” Gail sighs, “I swear my stress levels always go up when I’m around you or even remotely reminded by you–”
Tom hangs up the phone with a smile.
–
He parks in front of the restaurant. And slowly inhales and exhales himself, preparing his mentality for the punch.
He took his sunglasses out sometime ago, since the sky started to darken. Tom didn’t really care about wearing sunglasses during night time a few years ago, but since he met Ryland, his behaviour has been corrected.
Every time he still wears his sunglasses during night time while he’s driving, and Ryland’s next to him? You best believe he’s going to be berated and nagged until his ears fall off. He’s argued with Ryland on multiple occasions that he’s never been in a car accident before, even with his sunglasses on during night time.
Not to mention that time Ryland found alcohol in the backseat. He’d never seen a person look so disappointed.
It wasn’t the only thing Ryland nagged him about either. The absolute numbers of sticky notes Tom forgot to discard also got on Ryland’s nerves. Not in a way like ‘what the fudge Tom’ way like most of the time his habits revealed themselves to Ryland.
It was more like a concerned guardian not really wanting to take a peek at the personal thoughts of the person they’re with. When Tom saw how uncomfortable Ryland looked, even though Ryland said nothing about the notes plastered over the car, he took the small papers out the next day.
His house would be the only place where he would put sticky notes down now.
He misses Ryland.
Five months apart from Ryland probably shouldn’t affect him this much. It’s just five months.
Yet.
Tom shakes his head.
No. Focus on the task.
He gets out of the car and shuts the door, locking the car.
Time to find Seavers.
–
“Who is asking for me, again?”
“Colt, I’m telling you, the Tom Ryder is here asking specifically for ‘Colt Seavers’!”
“Yes. I heard that. Why.” Colt grips the table he was cleaning with a partially wet towel hard. Why the fuck was Tom here? Was his own back being shattered to bits not enough for that smug asshole?
“You’re not… excited?” The teen tilts his head, innocently. “You’re not thrilled? I mean it’s the action star we’re talking about here.”
“You.” he turns to the teen and stares into his eyes until the teen starts to fidget, just to look away and sigh, “You don’t know the consequences of the world. You know what? Clean my table for me.” Colt tosses the towel to the teen. The teen catches it and salutes.
He turns to the sleazy waving figure by the door, with that ugly-ass grin of his.
Fuck. His evening is ruined.
“Yo, Seavers.”
“Hello, dipshit of the year.” Colt bowed mockingly and forced a smile on his face, “What are you here for today? Because if you’re not going to order, I might have to kick you out.”
“Woah woah. Calm your hot horses down alright?” Tom snorts, his insufferable face had the audacity to sigh, “Can’t we talk about this like civilised human beings?”
“You? Civilised? Are we talking about the same person?” Colt scoffed, “need I remind you I’m not your employee anymore?”
His frown deepens. Respectfully, fuck the smile. Even if it’s fakeass, it feels wrong to even grin at this motherfucker. “Why,” Colt clasps his hands together and points his forefingers at Tom, “are you here? I’m not asking again.”
“Did you cut contact with Ryland?”
Colt froze. He narrowed his eyes, “Why are you asking me that?”
“Answer me, Colt.” Tom calmly smiled, “So I can figure out if this puzzle is easy or really, really hard.”
“Speaking in riddles doesn’t suit you.” Colt crosses his arms, “Just tell me what’s going on.”
“It’s been five months since I last heard from him.”
Colt pauses. Now, he should be happy that Ryland hasn’t talked to Ryder for five months. It seems like his advice to stay away from the fucker finally got to his twin’s head.
Why did it feel so wrong to assume it in that way, though? It’s this daunting feeling where his heart jumped into a chasm.
“...you… give me a moment.” he takes out his phone from his pocket and unblocks Ryland’s number to see numerous missed calls and texts.
It’s been five months since Ryland has texted or called him.
Colt felt something crawl up his damaged spine.
He looked up to see Tom– who was not in his usually smug, irritating grin. He was uncharacteristically quiet and grim. Like he could guess already what Colt was about to say. Tom was staring at him like he actually wanted to know something, to not feel like he’s trying to find a pin in a haystack.
Colt dialled Ryland.
It didn’t go through.
Tom furrows his eyebrows further, “So, I’m not the only one.”
“What’s going on? Do you know what’s going on?” Colt’s hand dropped to the side, his phone almost falling out of his grip.
Shit, what had he done? Is it because of him that Ryland disappeared?
“I came to you for a reason. Now I see you are as lost as I am.” Tom frowns and sighs, “What did I expect? Of course your small, fragile, avoidant-attachment style wouldn’t keep in contact with Ryland even though he’d sacrifice years just to watch you stand up and walk around normally again–”
“Don’t you dare say anything or put any labels on me when you’re the worse one out of the two of us. Fuck, what did Ryland even see in you? If I was Ryland I would have run away from you screaming decades ago.” Colt stares at Tom with an almost empty look, “Admit it. You came to me because I could find him better than you ever will.”
Tom groans, covering half his face with his hand, “Stop waving the fact around in my face, man. I’m waaaay richer than you. I could totally find him by myself if I wanted to. I just want to see if his twin brother is still in contact with him. Lay off’a me.”
“If you had any bad intentions for Ryland I would have crushed your balls a long time ago. I have that authority as his twin brother.” Colt raises his eyebrow, “Actually– you know what? I’ll help you on one condition.”
“What is it this time, ape-face?”
“Let me punch you.”
“Sure.”
“...”
“...”
“What?” Colt scoffs, “Why would you let up that easily?!”
“Discussed it with Gail earlier on, said it’s a small return for me breaking your– I mean the accident that happened on set. It’s a formal apology.” Tom clears his throat.
“...me, punching you; a formal apology?”
“Yeah.”
“Well now I don’t want to punch you anymore.” Colt rolls his eyes, “Ruins it all if you’re prepared for it.”
“Wait, really? So I can just run scot-free?”
“Who said anything about nothing being done?” Colt smiled, genuinely this time. He never thought he’d feel so happy being next to the dipshit. “I want to kick your balls. Just once. I promise.”
Tom bolted away.
And Colt? He chased, alright. As much as his damaged back lets him.
–
“What the fuck do you mean Ryland cannot be seen right now? I’m his brother!”