Title: Crosses & Broken Bones
Author: Aribee
Disclaimer: I own Philo, Raleigh and if I invent anymore characters, I'll tell you. Ann Brashares owns everyone else.
Summary: Kostos has an abusive father. What happens when Lena come into the picture?
A Few Important Details: Kostos is in high school and he is 15 years old. Lena is in high school and she is 14 years old. Kostos has a cousin named Philo who is 21 years old.
Rating: I don't know for sure, yet. But, I am going with M.
Kostos
Kostos got home from school, thanking his lucky stars that his father wasn't home yet. He took this opportunity to think about the girl he had met at the Holiday Grytes, the inn that he worked at. She had seemed very upset when she asked what rooms they had available. Maybe she'd order room service on his next shift and he could go to see her. Suddenly, the door closed and he braced himself for what was to happen next.
Lena
Wow, she had thought. He seemed so nice and he looked as if he knew everyone in the village. Maybe he could help her to find them. After all, that was why she was here. These thoughts left her mind restless as she turned on the T.V. and slowly drifted to sleep.
Kostos
"Kostos," said his father rather calmly. Shocked at his father's tone, Kostos replied, "Yes." "What do you think about us going out to dinner tonight? Just the two of us." his father said. "Wow," thought Kostos, "this is different." "Sure, dad, where to?" he replied, getting up off the couch. "How about . . ." his father trailed off. "No. Better yet," his father said. Kostos braced himself. "You decide where we eat." "Really? You want me to decide. All right. Um, let's go to that new restaurant that just opened up by Giligrens Road. I haven't been there yet, how does that sound?" "Perfect, I haven't been there yet either. I'll just go to that washroom and we'll head out." his father replied.
Lena
Lena was startled awake by something. It had sounded like a cat outside her window. Getting up, she realized that it wasn't a cat, but rather a dog. Her kind heart told her to let it in, but her mind told her to leave it there. This was always happening lately, her heart said one thing, but her mind said another. Giving in to her heart she let the dog in and headed out to the little store across the street for some dog food. After feeding the dog and getting a pillow for it to sleep on, Lena realized that she was hungry herself. Looking in the phonebook, she decided to try Killow's Restaurant on Giligrens Road. She put on her coat and headed out the door, much to the discontent of her new found friend.
Kostos
"Good evening, smoking or non-smoking?" the fancily dressed waiter asked Raleigh (Kostos father). "Non-smoking please and thank-you." "Dad just chose non-smoking in a fancy restaurant, which means he really can't smoke." The waiter led them to their table. "I'll be back in a few minutes to take your order." the waiter said cheerily and walked away. After absentmindedly studying his menu, Kostos felt eyes on him. Looking up he saw that it was his father. "Son," he said. "You are probably wondering what the hell happened to me. Am I correct?" "You hit the spot exactly," Kostos replied, letting his menu fall from in front of his face. "Well, you see." his father began. "There comes a day when someone takes a good, long, hard look at himself in the mirror and realizes all his mistakes and what they have caused. It doesn't take a genius or even a rather smart person to realize what my mistakes are. You hate me, Kostos. - Don't argue. You hate me, and that fact is my entirely fault. So, I have decided to try and fix some things. Starting with my smoking habit and my awful tone when I speak to you. What do you think?" After a minute, Kostos said, still in shock. "I'm really proud of you, Dad."
Lena
Lena walked into the restaurant and waited to be taken to her seat. "Hello, and welcome to Killow's. My name is Philo and I will be your waiter for this evening. Please allow me to take me to your seat." "Charming," Lena thought. After being led to and taking her seat, Philo said. "I will be back to take your order in a few minutes." Lena studied her menu carefully. Then, glancing up, she saw exactly who her thoughts had led her to. The boy who worked at the hotel. Unfortunately, he was with a man. A very attractive man. A very, very attractive man. "Damn," she thought, suddenly realizing what she didn't want to. "He's gay."
Well, there you go. That is my first Fan Fiction. Don't blame me if it sucks, blame my muse. Reviews are greatly appreciated and I have to receive ten reviews before I will post again. (Ha-ha. That beats you Lola.) So, if you like and want to read more, review. If you don't like it, I'm sure both you and I will get over it shortly.