The Other Side

Lash Out

July 12, 6:45pm, Miami.

Oliver

It had been a normal day for Oliver. He had been in his office, studying his course, as he had worked in the morning.  He looked up from his text book to see the time on his laptop. "Hmm- 15 minutes late-" he stated quietly to himself.

Xander had always made sure that dinner was done before 6:30, so they could all watch a movie, before they went to bed. Oliver stood from his chair, and closed his textbook after using a sticky note to mark the page he was on. Very quietly, he walked to his door, and exited the room, making his way to the kitchen, checking Xander's room on the way.

Once Oliver made it to the kitchen, he saw the other, racing around the kitchen, red in the face and somewhat panicky. Oliver frowned, and walked over to him. He placed a gentle hand on Xander's shoulder, getting in his way. "Xander, what happened? What's wrong?" He asked, looking at him, worried.

Xander jumped slightly and shook his head, biting his lip, and fidgeting with the gloves on his hands. He looked up at Oliver, "N-nothing, it's fine.." he said softly, putting on a smile.

Oliver frowned. If he hadn't known Xander, he would have believed it, but he decided to drop it, hoping it would relax the other. "Do you want help with dinner? It's a little late, tonight, I noticed." He said, gently pushing his glasses back on his nose, so he can see Xander more clearly.

Xander nodded softly, "that would be great- the others will be so mad at me, Oli..." he whispered, looking down. "We can't watch the movie now, it will be too late..." he huffed, rubbing his temples agitatedly.

Oliver shook his head, gently moving to rub his shoulders. "They will understand. If anything, they will be relieved that you're not rushing tonight, okay? You work flat out all the time. Let yourself to a break." He sighed.

Xander, again, flinched away from Oliver's touch. "You work hard too, Oliver, what's the difference? Why don't you just stop being such a hypocrite and just leave me alone-!" He  shoved Oliver away and went back to preparing dinner, ignoring Oliver completely now, huffing and grumbling. He did not once take the gloves he was wearing off.

At Xander's outburst, Oliver stumbled back, into a cabinet, more shocked that Xander had yelled just then, than hurt at being shoved. "Alright, Xander- Alright..." he turned and left the room, confused and shocked.

~~~

Later that night, Oliver sat at the dinner table with everyone else. Roen and Oscar were bickering; and Alex had eaten, and proceeded to go to his room, as he had an infection that was rather painful after one of the twins had accidentally knocked him into the staircase and his fragile skin had torn, a relatively large splinter of wood had wedged itself in his shoulder, later infecting. No one had said anything about the late dinner.

Oliver glanced over at Xander, who had not said a word since he had called them for dinner. He was looking down at his plate, and had hardly eaten anything. It was rather odd, having this behavior from him. Oliver had eaten his dinner, and he stood, going to wash his dishes, then dried them, before he, too, ascended the stairs.

Xander

Xander waited until everyone had left the dining room. Of course, Oliver and Alex had washed their dishes, but Xander was left to wash everyone else's. He sighed, as he thought about how he had snapped at his friend. He felt terrible, and he thought Oliver wouldn't want to talk to him again.

He sighed, finishing the dishes, before heading up to his room, where he turned on the light, and shut the door. Still facing the wall, he took off his gloves, looking at his hands, which were grey, his fingertips translucent, like a light grey shadow. He could still touch things, which was good, but he didn't know why this was happening, or what it would mean.

He locked his door, going to sit on his bed, soft tears running down his cheeks. He bit his lip, trying to keep his shaky breath quiet, not wanting Logan, who's room was next door, to hear him. He stayed sitting like this for hours, before eventually, too tired to continue, he laid down, passing out from exhaustion.

Narrator

For the next few days, nothing really happened. Xander avoided Oliver at all costs, excepting dinner, which continued to be too late for movies. As the days progressed, Xander's clothing became progressively stranger. Remember, it's summer, after all. His clothing became thicker, one day wearing a long sleeved tee, then a thick jacket, as well as other winter garments.

Oliver

Oliver was growing suspicious, as Xander hadn't told anyone what was happening. Nothing at all. Oliver was beginning to worry. Had Xander fallen ill?

One night after Oliver finished his dinner, he washed his plate as per usual, then went upstairs. But instead of going to his own room, he crept into Xander's, going to sit silently on the bed while he waited for Xander to finish eating.

After a while of waiting, Xander's door knob wobbled as it was grabbed, and Oliver held his breath as he waited for the other to enter the room. It seemed to be happening in slow motion; Oliver frozen as he waited, and Xander walking into the dark room, not spotting the other on his bed. He closed the door, before flicking the light switch.

He stood facing the door, head bowed sluggishly, standing there for a solid few seconds, before Oliver took a silent breath and spoke, his voice heavy with emotion. "What's been going on, Xander?"

He watched as the other froze, before turning to face him, his face pale from the fright.

~~~