Pretty Boy

Untitled Part 11

They didn't speak. They didn't look at each other. But they both knew what was going on 

Roland stopped in front of his house, and turned the car off. He didn't need to explain anything. He left and headed in. He came out moments later with a bag on his back, and he was carrying another bag in each hand 

He put them in the trunk and got back into the driver seat and closed his door. He stared off in front of himself. "Curt, I'm leaving town. I have a friend who's going to let me stay with him, and I'm going to finish school out there with him. You have a life here, you have friends, you have Billy. You can't come with me" 

"You don't get it. I don't want to stay here. Billy doesn't care about me, I'm just something he lusts for. I don't want that. All I have is Neil, and he has your friends now. He told me he was going to join the team, he doesn't need me. I don't have anyone, and I definitely don't have a life here" Curt shook his head and looked out the passenger window 

"Curt. You have parents that love you, I won't take you away from them" 

Curt's head moved and he looked at the side of Roland's head. "Parents that love me? My father hits me almost every night when I come home from school with another injury. My cousin purposely gets me in trouble. My parent's don't love me" 

Roland looked over at Curt. "I'm so sorry" 

"Just get me out of here" 

Roland looked down at his hands in his lap. What would be the right thing to do? 

"Where's your parents right now?" Roland finally said after a long stretch of silence 

"Work" 

Roland nodded, still looking down at his hands. He pursed his lips and breathed in deep. He looked up and readjusted himself in his seat. He started the car and drove off. They drove for a while until Curt realized they were heading towards his house. He started to think that Roland was going to drop him off and leave him there 

He stopped in front of Curt's house and unlocked the door. "Get your things. Quickly" 

Curt looked at him, then looked out of the window again. This was actually happening.  "Just don't leave. Please be here when I come back" 

"I'm not leaving you" 

Curt got out of the car and walked up to his front door. He pulled his house key out of his pocket and unlocked the door. He walked through and looked around quietly, making sure nobody was here. The house was empty 

He ran to his room, heart pounding. He ignored all thoughts he had, and with shaking hands, he grabbed any bags he could find. He stuffed his clothes in them. He packed his suitcase, he grabbed all of his art and supplies. He looked around. His room looked bare, and things were lying all around. He turned around and looked up into his closet. He reached up and grabbed a small box. He opened it and looked at the cash he had been saving. He had a job for almost 2 years nobody knew about, and saved every dollar he could, and stashed it here 

He closed the box and put it in one of the bags. He made sure he had everything he needed, and did a triple check. He walked around his house and touched everything one last time. He smiled to himself. He was finally leaving this place. He walked into David's room, and took a piece of notebook paper he found in one of David's old binders. He wrote a quick note. A simple goodbye, and explanation. But he didn't write down where he was going, and didn't mention Roland 

He breathed in and sighed. He walked to the door and turned around. He looked through the house again, and took in the environment. He stood there for a few moments, then turned around. He opened the door and his heart started beat harder when he saw Roland's car still there, and Roland still in the driver's seat 

Roland wanted to smile, seeing Curt with his bags, knowing that he was coming with him. But he didn't smile. He kept thinking about his own life, what had caused him to come up with the decision to leave. He was going to tell Neil and Curt this morning, but was momentarily stopped by Billy and Curt's moment 

Curt walked down the driveway, and Roland hopped out to open his backseat doors, and helped Curt put his things in there. Once everything was in, they both got back into the car 

Roland looked over at Curt, while he was putting his seatbelt on. "Are you ready?" 

Curt nodded, a small smile starting to form. "You're literally saving me. I was never happy. And now, just the thought of leaving, makes me happy for once in my life. Thank you" 

Roland finally smiled, hearing that. He was fulfilling his promise to himself, to take care of Curt. Now Curt was his responsibility, and he didn't mind one bit. He couldn't be happier. He was getting a fresh start, and so was Curt. 

~

After hours and hours of driving, Roland stopped in front of a big house, in the middle of some woodsy area. Curt was sleeping, but he had to let him know. He gently shook Curt until his eyes opened 

"I'm going in to tell my friend that you're here. He won't mind, but I'm just going to let him know. He'll probably come out here to help and meet you" 

Curt nodded and slid up in the seat. He undid the seat belt and rubbed his eyes. He looked at a watch that was in the cup holder. It was 11:47 pm. 

Curt watched Roland go up to the big house, and knock on the door. Curt looked over his shoulder and looked at all of his bags. He opened the door and got out, and opened one of the back doors. He heard footsteps behind him, and turned around 

Roland approached with a taller man. He had sandy blonde hair and blue eyes. He smiled at Curt and stopped in front of him 

"Curt, this is my friend Ian Stanley. Ian, Curt" Roland introduced the two, and Ian reached out for a handshake. Curt smiled, and shook his hand

"Welcome to my home. You're welcome to any and everything. Glad to have you both. It gets pretty lonely out here in the country side" Ian chuckled, and the two boys smiled in response 

"I'll help you with that" Ian jumped in to help them. Once all the bags were inside, he showed them the entire house. He took them upstairs and showed them a hallway that was completely empty, but the rooms were made up. With beds, dressers, everything 

Curt kept looking around. It was like a hotel. He was already lost, it would take him time to memorize the house. Roland looked down at him and smiled. Curt looked up at him and smiled back 

"Take your pick, boys. My home is your home. If you ever need anything, my room is on the other side of the stair case" Ian pointed across an open area, also on the second floor 

"Now, let's get you settled in and we'll grab a bite to eat. In the morning, I'll show you around" Ian clapped his hands together and balanced on his heels. He walked past them and turned around and walked backwards. He stopped and held his hands up slightly. "Welcome to Bath"