Realistic or Modern Warm unwelcome

[erised]

Gideon, already beyond fed up with this conversation, decided to throw the words right back. "Okay?" he began. "And have I ever raised my voice at you? " Though he was aware the question was more rhetorical, and actually didn't give a shit about the answer. "They don't try to mold me into the shape they want. I chose the classes I'm taking. It was all my choice. And hate me all you want," He looked around at the students currently in detention with him. "I really don't care. As student body president, it's my job to uphold the rules and make sure the rest of the student body does as well. If you hate me, that's your choice. Thankfully, after school is over, you'll never have to see me again and I'll never have to see you."

Gideon had no idea if Ryan was apologizing to him or someone else but honestly didn't care. "Look, I don't care about some half-assed apology, okay?" And he was being serious. "It would probably be in your best interest to be quiet for the remainder of detention, which," He glanced up at the clock, "isn't for that much longer. Only fifteen more minutes. Think you can do that? Or is shutting up something you never figured out how to do?"

 

[kevintheradioguy]

"Just shows how much you know about school system." Shrugged the punkish teen. "Though something tells me you don't even want to know..." 'Not from me, anyway', he added to himself. When one is so free-willed as Ryan was, thinking deeply about why he even has to care about the marks you get, you always get to the point of trying to figure out what the education system was. And the truth was, it didn't change much since 1880s. It was supposed to strange individuality and create a new line of obedient factory workers: work when you hear a bell, eat when you hear a bell, sit or stand only when you're ordered to. No one cares what your passions lie in: you should be equally good at everything. Ryan hated that, but, not unlike good Christians, he hated the sin and loved the sinners. He did not think that people around were stupid, and just a bunch of hamsters running in wheels - he was an edgy teen, but not that edgy. He disliked the system, but saw how other students would follow it instead of following their dreams. It was him who was so lucky with his family, and a father that allowed Ryan to make his own choices, his own mistakes. He never scolded the teen in being bad at, say, English, literature... or even behaviour. I pay taxes so you learn, he says all too often, not to be told how to behave or what to do. It seemed that Lindemann Senior took schools as giant libraries, wanting his son to pick what he'll read next on his own. it was, of course, a dangerous thing to do, but luckily, Ryan took his intelligence after his mother, being quite smart... at least, smart enough to understand not to slack school at all, and take in knowledge he saw fit.

"If you would't have cared, you wouldn't be trying to sound so important." Ryan replied with a small smile, in a mix of teasing and condescending manner, mouthing the last word with extra care. He did find it funny and cure how Gideon puffed his feathers 'as a student body president' at all times, like a cherished rooster with a bright coat, just winning a contest for his owner. "The apology might be half-sized, but at least it's sincere. You really should try that. Sincerity. Does wonder for mental health." He sighed. "And no, I never figured out how to shut up. That's why you know all about me and hear me answering in every class." Although this was an obvious sarcasm with the way how curt Ryan was in class, he said it with such dead seriousness, it confused even those people who didn't know him.

He smiled again, shaking his head in such a condescending manner, nearly any person would want to punch him for that... and this condescension was directed at Gideon this time. At this point, he was bobbing his head a little, as if listening to music, and slowly writing something under the weird table he had made. The short fight was inspiring, and even when fifteen minutes would pass, he'd probably stay in the room, finishing whatever he was writing. A song, as the matter of fact. Open your eyes and see me, Tell me that it's not too late. Whisper to me a sad song... he was writing under the rough sketch of tabs, trying to make it clear of how the melody went.

 

[erised]

"You're right," Gideon nodded. "I don't want to know about whatever you have to say," He really didn't. "But I know enough about the school system. For example, I know we start in August or September and end in May because back in the colonial days, kids needed to help their parents with the harvest during the summer months," he explained. "As for why the core curriculum is the way it is, I don't know, nor do I care."

And he wasn't trying to sound important. Or at least he didn't think he was. But if he said that, he doubted Ryan would believe him anyways. So it was best to just keep quiet about that. Gideon rolled his eyes at the comment about being sincere. "I'll keep that in mind, thanks," he mumbled, clearly putting an end to that conversation.

Gideon just let out a low chuckle when Ryan said he'd never learned to shut up. "Figured," he commented, not looking up from his paper. "Also, I'm pretty sure we don't have and have never had any classes together considering the first time I saw you was when I caught you smoking on school grounds a few weeks ago."

He let out a sigh of relief when everyone was finally quiet. Now he could finish his essay in peace.

 

[kevintheradioguy]

Lifting his hands and outstretching them in front of him, Ryan did what Gideon only threatened to: he clapped. Slow, slightly sarcastic applause to the things Gideon said of school. In his mind - in Ryan's mind - the lack of interest was not a sign of great intelligence, but then, his own perception of intelligence was different from the rest. Besides, he thought, he could only pity Gideon anyway. Ryan never had experience talking to people like him - so prim and preppy - but he imagined that the kid was probably brainwashed by 'good christian' parents, so to speak. That his mum and dad were making him to work the best, follow their rules, and so, Gideon grew up like this: so proud, so overachieving, so tense at all times. Ran really wanted to come over, rub his shoulders and ask to relax for once in his lifetime.

"I feel like I should be hurt. We have Calculus and ELA together, and you did't even know my name." He turned his head to the big guy. "What a student body president, eh?" The big guy chuckled in response, making some weird gesture to Ryan, probably trying to both agree and give Gideon a finger at the same time. It wasn't hard not to notice Ryan, especially in English class. He always done much better with science anyway, but when it came to anything humanitarian, this already quiet boy was even quieter.

Ryan didn't try to make this detention shorter, but he just didn't care enough. Hell, he probably wouldn't even be here if he didn't want, but he figured that he can write a few songs whether outside in the heat, or here. Here sounded nicer, and it would give him some credit as well. Two birds - one stone.

His music inclination was never taken seriously by the teen, and he felt guilty about it. There were lots and lots of small bands forming later in school and early in the college. His writing skill was fair, however, he lacked enthusiasm of the rest of the group. They all seemed very excited to be making music, and for Ryan this was just a side hobby, and an opportunity to get any feelings out. He never dreamed of making anything like this for life, being much more realistic than his friends. Still, he liked writing songs: both lyrics and melodies. Which was his primary goal sitting here.

 

[erised]

Gideon raised a brow at the clap but didn't comment on it. Part of him wanted to take a bow but the other part said to just ignore it. The latter part won out, fortunately. If he had taken a bow, this argument or whatever it was would have continued on and they'd just be going in circles, back and forth, repeating the same argument over and over again. This one alone was already draining him. He didn't think he'd be able to handle another, or handle it continuing for much longer.

"I think you're mistaking me for someone else," he began, "because I can assure you I'm not in chem. After sophomore year, I realized how much I disliked the subject and vowed to never set foot in the class again. The only science I'm in now is APES*," Chem was a disaster. Gideon hated every minute of it, even though he managed to do okay in the class. "As for ELA, we might be. I always sit in the front, so I don't really notice or see anyone who sits in the rows behind me," There was no way he could, unless he turned around and stared during every class. Whether or not he heard the comment about him being a bad student body president was unknown since he said nothing about it.

Finally, finally, Gideon was finished his English essay and submitted it through the online portal they were supposed to use. He was beginning to wonder if he'd ever finish it, but now he was. He checked the time on the top right corner of his laptop and saw that detention was over. "Alright, you all are free to go."

*Advanced Placement Environmental Science

 

[kevintheradioguy]

'Do you not notice, or do you not care?', thought Ryan. This young man did everything he could to... not socialise, it seemed. Trading patting on the head by elders to real, human contact. Why was he such a... well... like this? It kind of escaped Ryan. This teen confused him. He tried so much to be adult, and seemed to force everyone against him. For how much Ryan knew - and he didn't know that much - this guy had no friends. Only enemies. What could've possibly happened to him to behave this way? Of course, there was another problem. Ryan not trying to explain himself, and letting any offence linger between them. He had decided that Gideon probably projected his anger onto the other teen. He thought that Ryan was angry, offended or whatnot, and he saw everything the teen said through this prism, becoming defensive in return. This was not the case, but at the same time became a tease to Ryan. He felt a need to stick around and poke him. Not of malice - of curiosity, and besides, Gideon was majorly entertaining. He wouldn't have mind having the boy around for a while. The boy, however, didn't seem to want that, and Ryan... Ryan have decided to fix that.

Then the command was given about everyone being free, the big guy nodded to Ryan. "Ey, you comin'?" He probably already saw them two as best friends, while Ryan didn't really want to know the kid. Ryan looked the part, but was not into violence unlike this one who just punched a boy for talking back.

"Nah, I have a thing to finish." He nodded to the notebook, where he was writing something with a slight smile. The big guy gave it a look, then - a giggle, and moved out of the class. Everyone seemed to hurry besides two people: Ryan and Gideon. While the latter was going about his business and packing the laptop, Ryan darted him a look, scratching something on paper, and quietly stating: "I'll try to whisper so no one figures it out: I'm not a bad man." He looked up. "I'm just overwhelmed." He did not explain what he meant, and these words would be of a significance much later. Gideon, however, did not know that at this time. Ryan stayed behind, writing music, as everyone left, and the next time he and Gideon met, was not that soon...

 

[erised]

So it was a few weeks after that disastrous detention duty. Now, Gideon was nearly done with school, just three weeks away from graduation, and he was going out with some friends to celebrate. Not to a party. Oh no. Going out as in going to the movies. He had no idea what they were seeing, but was excited anyways.

His parents were going out as well, and so was his fifteen year old sister. That meant no one was home to watch the eleven year old twins. So, his parents had hired a babysitter. Gideon had no idea who the babysitter was, nor did he care, since he wasn't going to be there.

He had just pulled on a shirt when the doorbell rang, his mom calling out for him to answer it. Even though he didn't want to, he stomped down the stairs and threw open the door.

Then he froze in his tracks.

Because he certainly wasn't expecting Ryan of all people to be standing on his doorstep.

"Um...," Gideon began, at a loss for words. "What the hell are you doing at my house?"

 

[kevintheradioguy]

Some were celebrating the 'beginning of the end', as Ryan called it. Others, like him, didn't give it enough thought. This was life - not a TV romcom, and finishing the school was nothing special. Next comes another school, a university, or a college, or any other institute. Graduating high school wasn't the end of the world, it didn't mean you'll never see anyone from school, neither it meant you cannot act upon your crushes or offences. Ryan himself was just happy to get rid of a few teachers he didn't appreciate, but overall, he knew what he wanted to do with his life. Of course he did. He was eighteen, and he knew everything.

And he knew that he was old enough to earn some money for himself. Despite the looks, Ryan was quite good with children. He had these 'cool uncle' vibes, and when he could take on a job of a babysitter, he did just that. For the last couple of years he'd also go working into camps, eventually gaining trust among more conservative workers. The summer was nearing fast, and so, he started taking on jobs here and there, saving money for the near future. Any clubs, or concerts, or just going out with friends... he could've asked his father for a loan, but frankly, he was embarrassed to. He was old enough to be working.

When the door opened, after a momentarily stun, Gideon witnessed something not so many people did: Ryan gave out a big, toothy smile, and a genuine chuckle... a kind of a bark-y laugh, as the matter off act. "Oh boy! Is it the time already to meet your parents? Without even a proper date!?" He laughed, leaning over the door frame. He was dressed simpler this time, knowing the two kids might just get too infatuated by any shiny chains and spikes... but that didn't make him any less... extravagant, so to speak.

He had quite a recommendation list when it came to kids, but he never expected for the Arringtons he would be working for to be these Arringtons.

"Don't tell me it's you I have to look after!" He continued. "I mean you're cute and all, but I'm not that kind of guy." He didn't know not what kind of a guy. No gay? Not babysitting an adult? Not interested? Be it as it may, Ryan was having the time of his life. He never seemed more entertained in his life, albeit... Gideon probably had no way of knowing that. Their interactions - besides detention - were just Ryan's few witty comments as he passed the teen by in school. He was surprised to learn the Gideon had some friends! He didn't look like a person with friends. He looked... fairly miserable, as the matter of fact. To Ryan that is. Too proud to attract people.

"Okay, seriously, though, I'm here to see your parents." Ryan said, calming down a little, though a smile still was sprung across his face. He ruffled his hair, thick and black, and for a moment even looked normal.

 

[erised]

Gideon was still frozen, just staring open-mouthed at Ryan. The gears were spinning in his mind but he still hadn't put it together that Ryan was the twins' babysitter. He had never imagined Ryan as a babysitter so the thought never even occurred to him.

His brows scrunched in confusion when he heard what Ryan said. "Meet my parents? Date?" he repeated, completely confused. "I don't know if you got the memo, but we're not even friends. So a date is definitely off the charts."

He still had no idea why Ryan was on his doorstep and was just about to ask when his question was answered. "Me you have to look after? What--oh," Then it clicked. "You're babysitting the twins?" What the actual hell? "How did my parents even find you?" Because Gideon sure as hell never mentioned him. "No offense, but you don't strike me as a babysitter."

Then Gideon stepped back when Ryan said he was here to talk to his parents. "Well... come in, I guess. I need to go finish getting ready to go out tonight. Ignore the music blasting from my sister's room--she's also going out tonight. Have fun with the twins though. Just turned eleven and they're a handful."

And Gideon turned on his heels and walked back upstairs to his room, leaving Ryan in the foyer.

 

[kevintheradioguy]

"Oh, I suspected that lack of conversation would be the only barrier on the path to our long, passionate romance!" He declared with playful overdramatics. This was a fancier way of screaming 'ga-a-a-a-a-ay!' into someone's face... and a more polite one. Ryan never gave a rat's ass who was romantically involved with what, and in all honesty was merely continuing to jest around, not really meaning anything with it.

Still chuckling a little, the teen shook his head. What an irony! "Shows how little you know." He could've told him that he as good recommendations from people around (and maybe his parents just thought that a guy would be able to keep two pre-teens at bay better), and that he was actually very good with kids, but he didn't. This was all too fun.

He stepped inside, sighing to get his breathing back to normal. Maybe this was better: his chill attitude changing for a happy one. His mother might just trust him more, giving the looks. "M-m-m. Eleven. Lovely." Ryan had a small bag with him, bringing a few simple board games his niece, Annie, loved so much. of course, she was younger than the twins, but Ryan always thought the little girl was extremely smart for her age. Growing up with just one parent did that to children - they had to mature earlier. If not the boardgames, Ryan was always for being a company in any other games - active or video ones - any films, music, or even just giving kids some space. He wasn't irritated by pranks and screams, and kids enjoyed the pierced and tattooed 90s-rocker-looking teen around. It didn't look like something parents would allow, and they always were curious.

His first thought was to needle into Gideon, asking is he going to leave him standing here. His second thought was to actually call for his mum, telling he was standing in the middle of the foyer. but then... then he just decided to stand. And when she or her husband comes down, he'll explain what happened: Gideon left him there, without telling where to look for her or any instructions. So, as a good worker, he just stood where he was told to stay. Even is this wasn't exactly true... but not a lie too.

 

[erised]

It took a little while, but Gideon finally understood that Ryan was just messing with him and decide to joke right back if that meant this conversation would end quicker. "Yeah, I figure that not talking to each other would make romance or a relationship quite difficult, but who am I to talk," He'd never actually been in a relationship before. Surprise. Surprise.

Then he snorted. "Oh, trust me, I know a lot," he began. "But with you, yeah, I only know a little. Nothing really. And I don't want to know more." He was aware it sounded rude but really didn't care. Right now, the only thing on his mind was getting ready for tonight.

A minute or two after Gideon had disappeared upstairs, his younger sister, Hadley, had come downstairs. She eyed Ryan for a second before grinning slightly. "I'm assuming you're here for Beck and Nash?" she asked. "They're in the playroom, playing either Fortnite or GTA," She knew it was that since those were the only games the twins ever played. "Let them play for an hour or two more, then make them get off. Tonight is pizza night, so there's money on the counter for that. Don't try and talk them into any other kind of food, they won't budge. To them, every Friday is pizza night," She had no idea how it started. "And since it's Friday, they get to go to bed an hour or two later. Best to have them in bed by eleven, if you can." Even though she was fifteen, she sort of was the main person to look after them. But tonight was her best friend's birthday and they were going shopping, to the movies, and then having a sleepover.

 

[kevintheradioguy]

As the matter of fact, Ryan liked that - some playfulness. "Wow, you might not be as boring as you look." He chuckled. He'd be both surprised and not to hear Gideon was never in relationships. On one hand - of course he wasn't! With a head so deep in his own arse he wouldn't notice someone flirting even if they threw themselves on his neck! On the other hand, the teen was just attractive enough to have girls flocking around. Hell, he was ten times more attractive that Ryan, and the other teen had at least a dozen of not so secret admirers.

He stood there, rocking back and forth on his heels, head jerking up as he heard the door open. The young man stepped to the stairs, crossing his arms on the ladder, and gave the girl the most charming smile she'd ever seen. "Oh, I can see who's the boss around here. Charmed." He murmured, nodding in a sort of modernised short bow. "Name's Ryan. Ray for short, if you want. And, hey, who am I to interfere with pizza night?" He lifted his hands up in defence. He cooked a little, and wouldn't have mind to do that for the twins as well. "So, you think I should just get to it, without even saying hello to the elders?" He asked, before nonchalantly pointing up the stairs. "And what the hell is eating your brother? He acts like... a Brit."

 

[erised]

Hadley wasn't the least bit affected by the smile, mainly because she currently had a boyfriend. But she did roll her eyes at the bow. "I'm far from the boss," she commented. Though, she was sort of the boss of the twins. But she wisely didn't say anything about that. "Hi Ryan. I'm Hadley. Gideon's younger sister. I'm assuming you know him?" Considering she could hear them talking, she figured they knew each other. Might even be friends. Though, she doubted that. "Just wanted to give you a heads up. Because if you did interfere, there would be serious problems." The twins would raise hell, that was for sure.

"Yeah, probably," Hadley replied with a slight nod. "They're busy getting ready right now. I've told you everything you need to know, pretty much." She didn't want to tell a stranger that her parents were hardly around. "He acts like a what?" she wondered with a chuckle, having never heard the term before. "But, this is how he always is. Appears closed off and secretive, only concerned about himself and his grades but once you break down his barriers and get to know him, he's different. I promise."

 

[kevintheradioguy]

"Well, you certainly act like one." Hemmed Ryan, following the girl.

He was surprised of her. Having or not having a boyfriend never deprived people of emotions. Were she always grumpy if people smiled at her instead of returning it? That sounded a lot like an abusive boyfriend; that sounded like fear of being misinterpreted. 'Are these people even human?' Ryan thought at the lack of... well, anything at his small gesture. She wasn't flattered, wasn't charmed, wasn't entertained, she wasn't even irritated! That was... a bit inhumane. Spooky.

He wouldn't, however, have been surprised to hear that the parents weren't around, albeit it'd break his heart a little. His own family wasn't quite a normal one by any means - not with the nonchalant parenting, not with his dad's main career. But at least it was home. It was loving. At least they shared deeper secrets, some connection, spent time together, and were the best of pals. Was he to learn Gideon's story, though, he'd understand much of it. Give his sympathy and compassion... albeit, he would've been sure Gideon would not accept it.

He did doubt that there'd be hell if he went up. Ryan was respectful of the kids and their way of life, their interests and preferences. if he saw them playing - especially in a tense moment - he'd probably just stay quiet in the corner watching them. Perhaps just an idle 'hey' until they're finished. He didn't play a lot of video games - cynical as he was about puberty and a need for him to stay active not to become cranky - but he might have challenged them somewhat. To build trust, so to peak. Was he or was he not a 'cool uncle', after all!?

"Like... you know... like he's British." Ryan snickered a little, adding in a whisper. "Like someone shoved a broom into his backside." That was a characterisation of a British accent he once heard in a movie, and he loved it, using from time to time, albeit with no malice. Ryan rarely did anything with malicious intent. "We know each other all-right, but he does everything he can so we aren't friends." Shrugged the older teen. "But I try my best, you know? To break the barriers. I'm not offended, just curious to why." He was a little intrigued, that much was true. A goody-two-shoes who suddenly was ballsy enough to speak up. Ryan remembered a glimmer of fear after a confrontation they had, and now ll of a sudden, he became sarcastic, cynical, and... probably even more ballsy. There was a story there. Ryan wanted to know it. What was wrong with him?

"Anyhow, do I need a tour of the house, or should I wait for the elders fort that?" - He asked, pointing over his shoulder upstairs, assuming the parents were there.

 

[erised]

"I assure you, I'm not one," Hadley countered with a chuckle. "Oh. Well, he's American, I can assure you of that. But I didn't know British people acted in a certain way," Though each country had different cultures and customs, she didn't think British people acted a lot differently than the rest of the world. "To answer your questions though, Gideon doesn't tend to stray far from what he's used to," she began. "Therefore, he tends to befriend people who are his equivalents, meaning, they have the same interests as he does. Like the same books, same movies, classes, etcetera," She was sure Gideon would be pissed if he heard her saying this. "I'm taking it you don't, or he assumes you don't, share any of the same interests."

Hadley nodded when he asked to go on a tour of the house. "Alright, I'll take you upstairs first," She began climbing the stairs, stopping at the top. "the door at the end of the hall is my parents. It's closed now, obviously," She continued walking down the hall. "That room," Hadley pointed to the bedroom to her left, "is our oldest brother's, but he's away at college right now, so it's mainly a guest room. This one," She stopped at the first one to the right, "is the twins. They share. The other one with the closed door is Gideon's and then that's mine. I'll take you on the downstairs tour now."

 

[kevintheradioguy]

That made sense. Gideon being an insider, so to speak. 'Terribly introverted, huh?' He knew he should respect this, but... Ryan took it as a challenge instead. Knowing that this was in Gideon's nature to be a creature of habit, he wanted to crawl into that habit. "Probably the latter." Murmured Ryan, scratching his chin. Short hairs on it gave out a quite crunch as he did so. "Your brother seemed to imagine I hate him, and sticks to that fantasy." The teen shrugged, as if to say he couldn't do nothing about it, even if he actually could and intended to. "Anyway, the tour." He shook his head, as if trying to do the same with the conversation they were having, although he didn't mind if it continued.

He walked behind the young woman, looking around and memorising the place. Part of him said that he now knows which window to throw pebbles at, but quickly brushed this idea off. This was not what he'd usually do, and he didn't plan to use any knowledge about the family to his benefit. This would've been creepy. Get in the house only to scout for some mischief. "So there's... five of you?" He asked. "Asides the parents, I mean. Seven with them. That is... a very big family." He was a little surprised at that. Big families always did that to him, as his own was so tiny. "Must be nice. And stressful." He, of course, had no idea that this was stressful but by no means nice.

 

[erised]

"He probably does," Hadley replied after a moment's hesitation. "If you've said anything mildly aggressive towards him, or said anything to him that he took as you poking fun at him, he probably thinks you hate him," She wasn't sure why Gideon thought like that, but he did. And he always had.

She nodded when Ryan asked if there were five of them. "Yep. But the big bro is away at college, finishing up his junior year. Then Gideon goes off next year, so it'll just be me, the twins and the parents here for a while," And she wasn't too happy about that, but she only had 2 more years of high school left until she herself was off to college. "It's actually a lot less stressful than you'd think. Okay... the twins are a handful, but Gideon, Leo and I have always gotten along just fine. Oh, Leo is the oldest, the junior in college."

When they got downstairs, Hadley first headed into the kitchen. "This is the kitchen, obviously. Right out there is the family room and then the dining room, but we hardly ever eat in there. Then there's the backyard through that door and the living room through that alcove, but similar to the dining room, we hardly ever sit in there," She wondered why they even had it. "Now it's time to meet the twins." And she headed down the hall towards the playroom.

 

[kevintheradioguy]

"Sensitive soul, eh?" The teen just commented on Gideon, and left it at that. This was a problem - Ryan did trot on the edge there, mocking the other teen all the time, even if in a playful way. And he wasn't going to stop - rather, he was hoping that Gideon will become immune to his pricks. They weren't malicious, after all. Ryan was just a playful fella. And probably too crony. He had little respect for personal boundaries - or rather little understanding of it - being actually a very tactile person. No one took him for one, of course, not with the cold attitude, absent glare, and all the punkish and rockish habits... but he really liked physical attention, and would often touch, pat, push, hug, and just be too close to other people. In other words, he and Gideon had a lo-o-ong way to go.

He hemmed, trying to imagine how it'll be: to have such a big family. "I can imagine. Though not speak from experience." He said at last, shrugging. He was the only child, and he always welcomed his little five-year-old niece (or, well, "niece", as she probably was his cousin-however-many-times-removed) at his home, being so happy to see her and her mother at all times. It wasn't like he was a family man - rather, he liked being around kids. He probably would have made a very good teacher if he'd be a little more conformist in his visage. "You don't sound very happy about having more space around the house, though." Ryan frowned, following the girl deeper into the house. His voice filled with slight concern. "Is everything okay?"

 

[kevintheradioguy]

making another one per request to skip time

After being introduced to the house, and to the twins, and waiting for the family to get down and each go to their representative refreshment spots. He didn't start nagging the kids at all. Seeing how they were playing something, he just quietly joined them two, allowing for the game and possible conversation to go smoothly, learning when they talked during it, and flowing into this conversation organically, whether chuckling with them over misfortunes, or complimenting the playing style, or even swearing when the game seemed to be against them. He was genuine, and quite relaxed, easily admitting that him being here was just the matter of bureaucracy: he didn't think they weren't old enough to take care of themselves, but the law needed someone older to look after them, else them all can get into serious trouble. So, he decided to make the best of it. They were just seven years apart, so they ought to find common interests, right? Saying that, Ryan was sure they would:they said that the twins were hyper... and so was he. If not for the number of after-school activities and hobbies he had: music and singing, going to the gym every other day and walking neighbours dogs between the visits, hiking and swimming, tending to kids and just generally walking on foot instead of riding or driving, - he'd be the crankiest boy in the school. He tended to see his puberty with unnatural cynicism, exhausting all his excess energy, in the end coming off as phlegmatic and distant, though in reality this was far from the truth.

The fact he was good with kids and actually really liked them became obvious when Gideon returned home just right when the bedtime for the kids was close, finding them two downstairs, of top of Ryan, overpowering him in a fight. They were wrestling, the teen shrugged, already wearing a bruise on his cheek after being dragged along the carpet. He didn't mind it at all. The kids were having fun, even if he had to yield and let them win. After all, even thought hey were mere seven years apart, he was almost a full-formed man, while the two could be easily called babies.

Soon after the brother's return, Ryan grabbed the two kids to get them to bed... mostly because he wanted to eavesdrop a little. In the midst of building trust (and he hoped that the fact he actually made friends to the children would sting Gideon a little on its own), he offered to secretly prank their brother, and make it look like they were in his room. They wouldn't touch or do anything, but he'd be worried they whether hid something, or found his secret stash of porn.

Getting on his nerves was actually pretty fun, and Ryan held back really hard not to become a complete asshole to the teen, albeit there was enough opportunities and lots of desire to. Not malicious desire, though. It was more akin to... more akin to a little child poking their busy parent, shaking them, pinching, screaming, just to get attention. He wanted attention. He was getting little of it. And he only had three weeks before they each leave for their respective colleges. It was hard to balance these pricks and pokes, seeing how at school - and often out of it - Ryan was surrounded by a group of people: a flock of girls looking as bright and provocative as they could and often overpowering and bluntly bullying cheerleader girls, which already spoke of their statuses, or larger and dangerously-looking guys that looked like the members of a biker club more than high school (and some of them were!), and an occasional goth or two... Ryan liked the company of school's goths. He was popular amongst such people - and many more - because of all the liberties given to him, which made him the most 'adult' of kids. The big kid from the detention - they've learned his name was Theodore - Ted - tried to stick around, but the group didn't accept him at all... to dull, nothing special, just your average bully with a peanut for brain that didn't even support a conversation... didn't stop him from trying, though! ...and each time Ryan approached Gideon, they followed, looming over the other teen's friends, expecting a cruel prank, usually making the other group shrink. Ryan wanted to make peace, and explain them they won't hurt anyone, but at the same time did not want to lose his status among his small group of loyal followers, thus, he did nothing. And hated himself for that. Yes, he was chill and popular, but not really aggressive. His rage was of a nerd type more: Ryan preferred to beat people with intellect and wits rather than his fists. What good becoming physical did?

He came over to say hello in a "I am up to no good" manner; commented on Gideon's performance or his choice of clothes; mocked the pride with which he wore his title of student-something-president; and tended to slightly flirt with any girl in his group just to make him feel uncomfortable. The latter resulted in animosity from his group's female population towards Gideon's group of friends. And, boy, did they look intimidating! And Ryan could not really control their behaviour when, outside the rest of the group, they approached to mock in a more cruel way than he did. And could Ryan prove they weren't doing this on his behalf? He could not.

He didn't change his behaviour, however, detention or not. He still smoked as soon as he left the school doors, on the territory or out of. One time, when called out, he even gave Gideon a somewhat cruel, mocking smile, and needled that he did that "...so you would ask." This didn't matter that much, however. The graduation he wasn't visiting was a few days away. Ryan just decided to pick any documents early in the morning and move on with his day. He was going to play on the party in the school, but the principal did not like his rather adult repertoire, so he just shrugged and refused to do it. It seemed that the principal did not expect that when he said "Whether you play something less provocative or you don't play at all", he'd shrug, and choose not to play. After all, he could easily get the gig at the local small club "De Faqto" he and his small band frequented often, playing there for drinks and snacks, but otherwise for free. For exposition, so to speak. They could've don better, of course: Ryan practised a lot, he wrote good lyrics and had a good voice - especially for a teenager - and the rest of the group, compiled from people of other schools, community colleges, and even their most precious thirty-something drummer who just enjoyed doing what he did - wasn't too bad as well. The latter was... maybe a little creepy, but the band was on board with having a much older Max with them. In other words, there was some talent and skill involved, but Ryan who did most of the music and pretty much all of the lyrics, never took it seriously. Again, for him it was just a place to get his energy out, and not something he saw as his future job. This was a thing most of the band disagreed with. They all had dreams of fame, while he just... well, he had a hobby. No more, no less. A hobby he took very seriously, but a hobby nonetheless.

 

[erised]

If he were being honest, Gideon hardly remembered the fact that Ryan had babysat his little brothers. He vaguely remembered walking home and seeing them in a pile in the living room, but made his way upstairs and fell into bed, falling asleep before he could truly dwell on it.

The next few weeks passed by in a blur of school school school. He was so busy that he hardly had any time to hang with his friends and was slacking on his presidential duties, which meant people got away with a lot more than they should. Right now though, he didn't care. Since finals were coming up, his entire focus was on them. Oh, he heard about his friend group getting threatened by Ryan's but there wasn't much he could do about it. He hadn't witnessed it first hand since he hadn't seen his friends in forever. It wasn't like he could go up and punish people for doing things he didn't witness, no matter how much he wanted to.

And then finals were upon him, and all Gideon did was eat, sleep, study and repeat. Nothing else. He was supposed to speak at graduation, since the student body president always speaks, but he hadn't even thought about that. Nor had he prepared a speech, even though he most definitely should have. Oh well. He'd write it right after he finished his last final. There would still be 2 days until graduation. Plenty of time.