Tainted Perfection [bxb]

Chapter 15 - Cabin Trip part I

Music - With A Smile by Eraserheads.

---

Tony

I had just finished preparing my things for our weekend at the Hitchers' cabin when I decided to make myself comfortable on the couch and watch TV while I wait for Todd to arrive. It was already 4:30 in the morning yet I could tell Joanne wasn't done sewing in her room by the sound of her sewing machine.

I had not seen Todd since that night at ROY G'BIV. When I asked Joanne why Todd wasn't tutoring her anymore, she told me she needed the weekends to finish Hollie's gown so she had to cancel the sessions with him for three weeks.

When someone knocked on the door, I immediately got on my feet to get it. Outside was Todd wearing a brown button shirt and a pair of blue jeans. "Hey," He said with a smile and voluntarily made his way inside. After I closed the door, I turned around and he was already slouched on the couch. "dude, it's been a while."

"Happy birthday, Todd." I greeted him and he acknowledged it with, yet again, a smile.

"What's with all the boxes?" He asked as his eyes wandered the place. He then added, "Are you guys moving out?"

I nodded and told him, "Yeah, I found a bigger apartment unit downtown." I went to sit beside him. "We're moving on Monday."

The new apartment was double the size of the old one. When Jack and I found the place last week, I knew it was going to be mine and Joanne's new home. I thought it was perfect so I immediately talked to the landlord and made a reservation. While the building still didn't have an elevator, our new apartment would still be on the second floor so it wasn't really a big deal.

"I can help you guys move stuff out." Todd offered but I shook my head.

"You can't, you have school." I said, and continued, "besides, I already have a friend to help me out with the boxes. It wouldn't take long anyway, we didn't have a lot of stuff."

Todd sighed. "You're right." He then added, "it doesn't hurt to skip classes for a day though. My attendance record is perfect anyway."

The door to Joanne's room swung open as my sister stepped out with a huge black box in her hands. "Guys, check this out!" She walked towards us and placed the box on the coffee table.

"J. Summer," Todd read Joanne's name that was engraved in gold at the center of the box's lid. He muttered, "classy."

"I know!" Joanne couldn't hold back her excitement as she ran her fingers that were covered with bandages through the letters. "I got it customized at a gift wrapping shop downtown."

"This is pretty extra, Jo." I chuckled as I stared at the box.

"Well, Hollie's my first ever client, T." She said. "It needs to be special."

"Can I see the gown?" Todd asked as he began to take the lid off the box but Joanne brushed his hands away.

"No can do, Todd. Hol needs to see it first." She smirked and took the box. "I'm gonna go prepare now."

•••

By the time we arrived at the Hitchers' residence, there were about three additional cars beside Todd's parents' van.

When the three of us stepped outside the car, Joanne immediately carried her box and ran inside the house to search for Hollie since she wasn't outside helping Keith and two other young men carry things to the van.

Todd and I walked towards the guys as he called out their names - Gray and Phil. "Guys, this is Tony," He introduced me to the guys and I nodded at them. "Tony, these are my friends, Phil and Gray. Hollie's probably inside, you know her already."