Turned Table (phan)

Chapter Four

"What do you mean you're leaving?" Adrian looked at Dan, confuse etched across his features.
"Johanna needs space, so I'm allowed to leave."
"Space for Timothy." Adrian looked down. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I- I don't know. I just didn't think about it."
"You didn't think about it?"
"You know what I mean."
"Right." Tense silence fell. "Where are you going to go?"
"I don't really know," Dan said. "I don't have too much money for rent, but I'm sure I'll find something."
"What if it doesn't work out?"
"Then, I don't know. It'll work out."
"How can you be so sure?" Adrian locked eyes with Dan, and Dan noticed how mature Adrian was for his age. For God's sake, he was only ten. Dan sometimes forgot that.
"It'll work out. I'll get an apartment, a job. Then, I can come and adopt you."
Adrian was quiet. "And if it doesn't work out- if you don't get an apartment and a job- then I'm stuck here."
"Don't think like that."
"Why not? It could happen. You're just planning to leave me here aren't you?"
"No, of course not!"
"You're leaving me just like Mom and Dad."
Dan felt like he'd just been punched in the gut. He was not leaving Adrian. He was not like his parents. How dare Adrian even say that. "I don't have a choice!"
"Neither did they, right? No choice? You can take me with you!"
"You're better off here," Dan said quietly. "You have food, school, friends. You wouldn't have any of that with me."
"I'd have family."
"I'm not leaving you forever, Adrian. I'll come back."
"Sure you will."
"Adrian, please," Dan watched his brother sit back on his bed. "Trust me."
"I trust you, alright?"
Dan sighed. "See? This is why I didn't tell you."
"What do you mean by that?" Adrian turned to face Dan again.
"This doesn't have to be about you."
Adrian stared at Dan for a moment. "Not about me? Dan, you're all I have anymore! Now you're just walking away, and you didn't even want to tell me? For all I know, you were going to leave last night! Make Christmas great: the day my parents and brother abandon me, huh? Well, I don't care. Leave if you want to so badly."
"Adrian, it wasn't like that. You don't understand-" Dan struggled to find the words to explain himself.
"I understand just fine, alright? I'm not a child anymore. I never was." Adrian paused, breathing deeply. "Just leave, Dan. You're better off out there. I don't need you here. Just go live your real life." Adrian stood up and walked briskly out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
Dan couldn't help but feel angry. Why couldn't Adrian see that Dan was trying to help? Feeling especially frustrated, Dan changed out of his dirty sweatpants and, seeing the disgusting about of dirt and blood on them, threw them into the trash can. He put on a new pair before leaving his room quietly. Dan made his way downstairs, glad everyone was in the kitchen eating, and not likely to hear or see him. Dan left, and took a breath, holding back tears. He leaned against the wall of the orphanage, enjoying the calmness in contrast to his thoughts. He decided to go for a walk while he cooled off and decided what to do.
As he hobbled down the street, a car pulled up next to him. Dan stopped, recognizing the car.
"Dan?" Phil's voice sounded almost comforting to Dan. Phil pulled over and stepped out of the car. "Dan, what are you doing?"
"Going to, uh, going on a walk," Dan struggled to control his emotions, and Phil could see he was upset.
"Why? You should be resting your leg." Dan looked away and Phil walked over to him. "How about I drive you wherever you're going?"
"It's fine. I'm fine." Dan turned away too quickly, stumbling on his crutch.
Phil caught him just before he fell, and looked at Dan with concern, considering the situation carefully. "Alright, c'mon. Get into the car." Dan accepted Phil's help into the passenger seat, and Phil found the process went faster the second time. "So, do you want to talk about what happened?"