Switched Out

Ch. 7

He just stared at me with his mouth open. He physically shook his head. Then, asked, “What are you going to do next?”

I whispered, “I’m sorry, Lucas.”

He pulls me into a hug. “I know.”  I felt him breath in and out a few times. Then, I felt Jason’s hand on my shoulder.

He said to Lucas, “Ya, it always takes you alittle longer.”

He replied, “Shut up.” Then he said, “Can you blame me? Our daughter is growing up to be a man.”

Jason replied, “I think you’re taking this quite well.” I turned my head to him. He was grinning, but his eyes showed he was playing with him.

Lucas glared at him for a second, and looked back to me. I shook my head to Lucas’s last statement. “Know that I’m doing this, ‘cause I’m tired of getting this shit beat out of me for who I am.”

He pulled me in tighter, “I know this must've been hell for you.”

“Ow...” I still grinned. “Like I said to Jason, I love you guys.”

He pulled back and looked at me and Jason. “I love you both, too. I wish I could’ve seen there was a problem sooner.”

I smirked at his honesty, “It’s not your fault. I was hiding it.”  

Jason cleared his throat, “This may be the best time to ask.” He looked at us both alittle confused.

I continued, “I was hoping to switch schools.”

They had been in shock alot in the past few days, this may take the cake though for Lucas.

“Well,” he paused. His expression didn’t look like he was going  say yes or no. It scared me alittle. “We’ll just have to try on Monday. That’s all I can say.”

My legs gave out alittle. I finally might be able to have a life where I don’t have to worry about getting beat up. I grabbed the counter, “I know this may not work.”

Lucas stared at me, almost like he wanted to drop his jaw, “Hell no. Have you see yourself? Actually, looked. Your mannerism might be your undoing, but you look the part. You do, really well, love.”

I looked to the mirror above the sink. I kind of wish it wasn’t true for some reason, but he was right. I did look the part. I turned to them, “Teach me.”

They both stared at me, and Jason was the only one to reply, “What?”

I grinned sheepishly, “Ninety percent of the time Lucas is right. If I do something that looks off for a guy I need to know.” I ran my hand through my still short hair. It kind of bothered me.

Lucas said, “Well, you look like you’re doin’ fine.”

This time I looked at him confused, “You just my mannerisms were off.”

He laughed, “I said ‘might’, but you ran your hand through hair without even thinking about it instead of getting completely frustrated.” He thought for a second, “You do hide alot though.”

Did I really act like a guy, too? I sighed inwardly, “Can we do this in the living room?”

Jason laughed, “Certainly.”

They both guided me out of the bathroom with each of them having a hand on my back. I knew I was in for something at that. I sit down in the chair across from them, I learned not to be in the middle of things when they did that.

Lucas looked down at his hands I knew I was in for alot, “There are some things you need to know before you go any further.” I just stared at him then turned my head to Jason then back to Lucas. He breathed out slowly. Then, he said, “How much of your parent’s accident do you know?”

I answered quickly out of reflex, “It was a car wreck, even though I heard some say they were shot.”

They looked at each other and stared at me, “How do you know about that?”

Softly I said, “Nathan.”

Lucas nodded, “That makes sense.” I was about to ask, “Don’t worry about that. He was right though. They were shot. It’s what caused the accident. It wasn’t just a wreck.” Oh god, I wanted to throw up.

My voice cracked alittle, “Why would you tell me this now?” I stopped, then stood up, “The fuck, why?” I looked down. I was gripping the chair arms, rather tightly.

“We’re sorry,” Jason said.

Lucas continued, “I bet you heard about the riot, too.” I was still looking down, but I nodded. “We actually thought there was gunna be some type of change, but it doesn’t mean there aren’t people out there trying to change it. That’s why we’re scared for you, ‘cause they’re doing similar for different reasons.”

I just stared at the floor for abit, and then it hit me. “Wait, if you know, then you’re a part of it.” They solemnly nodded. “And you opted not to tell me ‘til now.” I wanted to yell at them, but  I just sat down hard in the chair. I rested my head in my hands, then. All I thought happened wasn’t completely truth. Softly I said, “Son of a bitch.” I breathed in and out for a minute, then asked, “How much are you a part of it?”

“Well, I bet you were wondering why I did the binding so well,” Jason said. Actually, it didn’t dawned on to me until he mentioned it.

I looked up, and gave them a sheepish grin. “Actually, no. I just saw a fix, and didn’t worry about it.”

Lucas sighed, “That does sound like you.” Jason smirked at that.  I stared at the floor then to Jason.

My voice was alittle high, “You mean you guys help people...?” I didn’t know what exactly, but what the hell had I been in the middle of all this time? “How do you help exactly?”

Jason replied, “That doesn’t matter right now, love.”

Lucas softly said, “More than you’d wanna know.” I leaned back in the chair and winced. I didn’t think my abdomen would still be hurting now.

Jason asked, “The bindings too tight?”

I shook my head, “No.” I breathed in and out for a few minutes. I saw the concerned looks on their face, but I continued, “My stomach still hurts from yesterday.”

Lucas added, “Then you need more rest. We’ll wake you for tomorrow.”

I mentally stopped, and questioned, “Tomorrow?”

They both stared at me. “It’s Sunday, love. You slept through Saturday,” Jason gave me the answer. I pulled my phone out of my pocket, remembering I forgot to take it out. It wasn’t dead yet but I saw the screen and internally swore. They were right.

Sorry, we didn’t realize you didn’t know,” Lucas replied to the expression I had on face, which still held confusion.

They stand and Jason offered me his hand to stand which I gladly take. They both kissed me on top of my head. They’ve always been great to me.

“Now,” Lucas continued, “Please go to bed. We’ll work how you’ll get into the other school.” Jason gave me a weak smile. I nodded and headed back to my room. I was really unsure of my future at that moment.