ghosting

ACT II PART III

Xavier giggled as Dustin posed in front of the camera for their mom. The boy was excited for his group costume with the party and it was adorable. Dustin smiled at the camera with his teeth and the older boy couldn't help the way he felt proud of his younger brother.

"I want both of you in a photo now!" his mom said.

"Mami I don't even have a cos-" he started.

"Doesn't matter Xavi," she interrupted.

The boy grumbled as Dustin pulled him into the frame. The boy grimced at the camera while Dustin posed with his blaster. The camera shuttered and their mom smiled at both them.

"Mami we're gonna be late-" Xavier whined.

"Nonsense, Dusty is biking and Jonathan is picking you up," she said. "You'll be fine. Now, let me continue taking photos."

-

Xavier sat on the hood of Jonathan's car as the boy walked back with water in his hands.

"Anything new from Munson?" asked Jonathan.

"More flowers," he replied. "Two bouquets this time."

Xavier had woken up to the flowers on his nightstand this time. He had dragged himself out of bed and asked his mom.

"They were outside on our front door," she told him. "They had your name so I just brought then in."

"The usual flowers," Xavier tells Jonathan. "The apology bouquet and then..."

"What?"

Xavier groaned and felt his cheeks warm up. "They were lilies."

"Your fav-"

"Yeah."

Jonathan hummed and grabbed Xavier's hand. The parking lot was empty except for the occusional students walking past but that didn't matter.

"Now I don't like him.." Jonathan started.

"I know."

"But maybe you need to talk to him."

Xavier sighed and dropped his head. Jonathan gave him a reassuring squeeze and nudged his knee.

"At the party," he continued. "Or before."

Xavier lifted his head up and nods his head. "Sure, yeah."

Jonathan hums, "best I can ask for huh?'

"Duh."

-

Xavier stood in front of the Munson trailer and glared at the door.

"Nope. No, I am not doing this today." he says.

"Xavier?"

Lord and behold, there stands Wayne Munson in front of him. The older man has his eyebrows furrowed as he stared at Xavier.

"Hey Mr. Munson..." he said.

"You looking for your boy?" he asked.

"Nono- I mean yes but he's not my boy-"

"He's in his room," he said moving to open the door even further. "Come on in."

"...Thank you."

Xavier walked past Wayne and went down the hall. Eddie's door was open, just a bit and so, Xavier walked in.

Eddie was laying on his bed, reading Lord of the Rings.

"Eds," he said.

It was easy to fall into old habits. Eddie looked up from his book and Xavier could see his eyes light up as he looked at him. Xavier kept moving in his spot.