Eyes that see into Infinity

Part 2

Chapter Ten

/

My parents became more and more annoying as time went by. They were pulling bitch fits every time I said I was going out to hang with my neighbor. For some reason they didn't want me to play with Phai and his sister, probably because of what happened, but I went anyway. I took every opportunity to go hang out with him before the semester ended which was around the middle of May summer. During the days I got to know Phais' family a little bit more…actually a lot more except for his father who wasn't their at the time. Especially Callista. Man, especially Callista. She was so playful and joyful about almost everything, the only time I ever saw her upset was when Phai refused to play Barbie's with her. I loved being around her. She reminded me of me when I was younger, all over the place, from the ground until she reached the sky. Never had I met a girl so young spirited and so ambitious. Phai told me that she thought I was some kind of vampire from the Twilight series. My, my, her mind was ruthless. But she was very opposite of her brother, Phai, who was so personal and always enclosed to himself. He was like a hidden dream. A piece of art displayed at a museum and the viewers are his critiques. So young and so mysterious. But soon the visiting would end. To be near him was crucial, not just to my mind but to my heart.

I hung out with my group of friends almost everyday. I take it because they all knew I was leaving they were surprisingly nice to Phai the exception being Roxanne. Always her being the rebel. She hated him so much. Man, did it get excruciatingly painful to hear her constantly bitching about him all the time, most times to his face. And Phai responded to it the same way we all did. Shut her off. I had gotten used to the jealousy Roxanne had in her eyes every time she saw me and Phai hanging out at school or in the gym or sitting with each other at lunch. She definitely became a handful later on. She had a major toll on my life and it cost me many things. Many special things.

Honestly I just wanted time with friends without the bitching and arguing and mind my complaints but there were some pleasant moments. We played in the back fields, we rode our bikes on the dirt path, and we watched movies, laughed and played. Constantly. The better word would be Always. Phai and I wrestled each other from time to time seeing who would top the other. He always won. Then my friends all joined in thinking they could take him down, but again he always won. No matter how hard I tried to pin him, he always ended up with me in the carpet, or the dirt or wherever it was we played. It was a ture gift he had as much as his many others.

You should have seen it when I told everyone the news that I was moving, Roxanne looked like she was about to drop to the floor in tears. I have never seen such shocked appearances on anyone's faces before. My friends were completely skeptical. They could have created a riot with the way they were taking the news. They had this plan. They were all such big dreamers. We were suppose to grow up together, go to high school together, go to the same community college and go on from their. Maybe even work together at our own company someday. It sounded good. I hated the thought of leaving them all behind. But it was unrealistic.

Every time my friends mentioned how much they were going to miss me, Phai didn't want to hear it. Shit I didn't even want to hear it myself. He would get up leave the conversation. But I felt his pain. The time was coming by so fast. When you're bored, time drags. When you're having the time of your life and you don't realize your actually killing time, time flies by like the snap of a finger. I can't tell you how much I hated my parents after wards. I didn't think I could hate as much as I had. I refused to eat with them, talk to them unless I had to or I would argue with them about everything. I sound like a spoiled prick but it wasn't my fault dad couldn't keep his dick in his pants and it wasn't my fault mom had some personal grudge towards him. I say fuck them both.

Whenever I was tucked away in some quiet box I always thought of my doubts in what this departing could bring. What if I returned to California and Phai wasn't living their anymore. What if something happens and I die before my time and I can't see him again. What if we lose contact forever? I was already lucky enough to move from my home town to CA and end up in the same neighborhood as he in the first place. On top of that going to the same school. Luck and miracles, whichever one, were on my side. Now I am not so sure. We had just really started to get to know each other. And I mean very well. We talked to each other like we had been friends a long time ago. We've started to share secrets. We became comfortable enough talking about love and personal feelings like our fears and anger.

So we did what we had to do in order to keep the memory running. We hung out as much as possible until the day a moving truck was pulled up in front of my house.

"I don't want you to go." Said Phai as Alex and he were in Phais' room looking out the window at Alex's mom talking with the moving truck guy.

Alex didn't answer. There wasn't much he can say that would change the minds of his parents. They were built that way, to shut everyone's opinions out but theirs.

"How many more days?" Phai asked looking at Alex.

"I've stopped counting." Alex replied and sat back down on Phais' bed. He didn't want the day to ever come. So it was better if he forgot.

"Let's not think about it then?" Phai suggested sitting gently and looking sadly at Alex.

"This is ridiculous. I'm living at the mercy of my parents." The blonde boy frowned.

"Most kids do." Phai reasoned. "What other choice do you have Alex. You can't fight your parents on this. Maybe if you were older you could."

"It's just not fair." Alex looked up at him. "It's not fair at all."

"What's not fair?" Phai asked sympathetically.

Alex stopped his tongue before he could say it. It wasn't fair that he was going to die and be taken away from the only person he had ever loved. The angels might as well take him now. "To be born with a destined fate." He answered.

"Sounds like you have been thinking a lot. What's your fate?" Phai asked shifting his weight.

"A fate of loss."


Phillip headed over to the neighbors house and knocked on the door three times grumbling heavily under his breath. 'Where is that boy?" he mumbled again and then stepping away a little placing his hands deep in his pockets.

Phais' mother opened the door seconds later with little Callista by her leg and when she saw who it was both girls frowned. "Oh you must be here for Alex. I'll go get him." The mother answered right away.

"Tell him to make it quick. I need his stuff out my house." Phillip snapped. He seemed quite embarrassed to even show his face after what happened but held his pride like a man.

The mother knew how men were including her own husband and just rolled her yes. 'Yes sir." And then moved inside the house and shouted courteously for Alex up the stairs. "Alex your father is in need of you!" After all this time she never wanted to give the boy up to his parents. She encouraged the boy over the house any time he wanted because his parents were rude and unfriendly. They for sure had some social problems.

Phai looked over at Alex and it was obvious Alex refused to move from the bed. "Are you not going Alex?" asked Phai concerned.

Alex shook his head just a tinge and stared off somewhere else in the room.

The mother saw Phai approach the top of the stairs and told her that Alex would be there in a minute. He gave the hint that it might take awhile.

She went back to the door and let the man come in. "He's getting his stuff. Would you like anything to drink, water, coffee?"

"No I am fine thank you." Phillip replied hardly even looking at her and just looking at what was around the kitchen. The mother again rolled her eyes and poured him some coffee anyway. She handed him the cup and he looked hesitant to take it but he did anyway sniffing it and then stirring it with his finger not caring about the temperture of the drink.

"So your son, he's a good kid. I always enjoy having him over." The mother spoke up placing one hand on her lean hip and the other supporting her on the counter top.

"Yea, I guess you can say that about him."

The mother blinked at the response resting her eyes on the man who seemed to not even look her in the eye. He appeared to have a problem with her house by scanning and touching every little thing and arranging it to what he saw fit. He was with no aknowledgment creating an uncomfortable atmosphere for them both.

"Uh would you like some sugar in your coffee? Cream?" she asked as nice as she could without sounding rude.

"No I like it raw thank you." Phillip said before snapping like a twig. "Alex!" he shouted up the stairs.

The mom jumped a bit at the sudden boom in his voice. "I'm sure he is coming Sir." She replied harshly. "My god give a woman a heart attack."

"I am kind of on a deadline." Phillip registered and no apology. He started pacing and rubbing his scruffy reddish brown beard like he was paranoid about something.

"Callista why don't you run up stairs and grab Alex for us please." The mother asked politely her daughter who was in the living room next to the kitchen watching TV.

The girl scooted off the couch moaning. "Sure I can do that." The girl gave the dad an evil eye and then ran up the stairs shouting for Alex.

"So my son is going to miss Alex." The mother thought she would continue hoping the father had cooled it with any anger withdrawals.

"Alex will be missed by a lot. It's something that has to be done." The stuck up man replied gravely looking anywhere but at her still.

Phai came down stairs followed quietly by Alex. Phillip extended his arm to his son. "Come Alex get your things out the house."

Alex only glared and left the house immediately. Phillip placed down his coffee cup he didn't even drink from and left behind his son.

"Where are his manners?" The mom cringed after the dad had left the door open. Then she left completely annoyed from the kitchen. "A boy shouldn't have to suffer with parents like that. I'm glad I'm good to mine."

Phai just stood quietly not knowing what else to say.

"I'm going to miss Alex." Callista whined moving her way sluggishly to the couch where her TV show was still playing. "His father looks like a serial killer. His mother looks like cat woman. It explains why Alex reminds me of a vampire. You mix a cat with a villain and you get a vampire."

"Honey he is not a serial killer. If he is then bless that boys soul." The mother replied.

Phai smiled at his families antics and when everything seemed right he walked out his front door and watched as both Alex's' parents now spoke with the moving truck man. It was so surreal. That Alex was leavign him. Everything was going to be so weird without him he thought. Aside from Tolem and Leon Alex was his only real friend.

Phai hopped off his porch and went to go check the mail even though he knew there was nothing in it because it was a weekend but he really wanted to get a closer look at Alex's parents. He wanted to get a better look at the people who were taking Alex from him. He closed the mailbox shut. He suddenly felt like he had to say something. Without thinking he walked over to where the adults were in a group. It was scary for him but he had enough courage and stopped them from talking, approaching their driveway.

"Hello. I was wondering if you needed any help with your move." All three adults stopped and glared at the boy like he was some demom child.

"We're fine." Phillip said abruptly. They went back to talking.

Phai cleared his small throat. "As Alex's friend I am going to keep in touch with him. Can I please have the new address where I can write to him?" The boy stated bravely. "Or some other way I can?"

Olympias turned her evil eyes and looked disgustingly at the boy who had one shoe unlaced and wore a plaid shirt and jeans that looked torn up. Then she smirked. "My father wouldn't be to happy arriving home with a bunch of junk mail. Beat it kid." She turned back at the man and started to speak cutting off the boy's request.

"It wouldn't be junk mail. It would simply be for Alex." He whispered feeling like a fool even bothering to come over.

He was talked over like he had no existence.

They all turned to see Alex approaching the truck with a box of things. "Why are you still here?" asked Phillip rudely to Phai.

"Sorry for my inconvenience." Phai answered and started to move back to his own house keeping his eyes on Alex. The boys both shared a cheeky smile.

You want to know something great. I will tell you anyway. My parents despised Phai because they already saw in him the future of my life. As we grew older and the more Phai became a major part in my existence, my life and shelter, they feared him more than they feared their big bosses at work. More than the destruction of the war we hear on the news everyday, more than the thought of death. Why? Because he took me away from them. Forever. Enough away for them to realize every single mistake they had made with me and themselves. Enough away so that they realized their abandonment to me. Enough away so that they realized there is no one who could love me as much as he did. He owned them. A simple kid, no more than a baby to them, controlled their every decision of my life.

But that's later...

For days my mom and I were sleeping on the couches until we got all of our stuff packed. We didn't have much and we were probably going to be provided with everything we needed anyway but it was still a bitch. I dreaded the fact we were going to go stay with her dad in the springs. I didn't really like him. He treated me like I was stupid and a disgrace. We didn't get along at all. The worst part was that I couldn't escape them. What was out there in the springs? Absolutely nothing. Only uptight yuppie people and very expensive stores. That's all I had to look forward too? Are they for real? Or is this a stupid comedy.

My dad was up all night working in his office. And well I was up all night just because I had no choice. I would sit and hear my dad typing or talking away from the other room. I would hear my mother breathing slightly on the couch and I would hear my own heart beat beating faster and faster and faster every time the shadows of the sun sunk through the living room windows every morning. That means with every day that shines by, the sooner I leave him behind. I felt like this was not the only time I have left my beautiful Phai alone before. In fact I am sure it wasn't.

But…

The time finally came. Welcome to the worst day in my whole entire life. My stomach hurt so bad. Graduating students should feel proud to be out of school and moving on to the next level of adult hood but not me. I was sick literally.

"Man I don't want Alex to leave." Said Tolem sitting with a hair pick placed in his frizzy fro.

"I know right." Said Leon chewing on a toothpick.

His friends all hung outside the principal's office where they spied Olympias speaking to the principal. She was dressed casual in boot cut jeans, business heels and a plain red tshirt, with sunglasses on top of her head.

Cassy stood folding his arms leaning against the lockers, while the rest sat on the floor. "Well at least he will be able to visit. I think that's what I heard my dad and his dad say, is that Alex would come and visit at times." the green eyed boy hoped he heard right.

"What I heard from my dad is that his mom doesn't want Alex to have anything at all to do with his dad." Said Phil sighing.

Roxanne sat in a pout not saying a word and looking completely miserable like her favorite toy just got hit by a car and their was no way to repair it. "I hate his mom." She said. "She's so evil."

"That's why Phillip probably left her in the first place." Replied Cleitus.

Since my father was friends with most of my friend's parents it was a common fact that my parents had a huge reputation going around in the neighbor hood and partially the school. We all might as well had been related because we were that close. But Phai, he was a different story. He was a whole other problem. I loved him. Deeply. He was the one I wanted to share my life with. He was the one I wanted to give my heart too. I wanted to share with him my feelings and doubts. My entire soul. I think I can admit I was obsessed with him. But it was an obsession that was so pure and so entrancing.

Alex found Phai in the locker room getting all his stuff and placing it in a bag. He didn't want to startle him so he just watched him for awhile. He looked so serene and lovely but still so mind bothered and he couldn't help but stare. No one was in the locker room just those two and Alex swallowed closing his troubled eyes.

"Hey Phai?" his voice came off as a little note, not as strong as he wished it would have been.

Phai stood from the bench quickly and looked over at Alex, who stood with his hands deep in his jeans pockets. "Hey Alex." The browned haired boy smiled until he saw that there was no smile on Alex's face. He tossed his swim trunks into his duffel bag. "What is it?"

"I just wanted to tell you that I have to go now. My mom is outside waiting for me."

Phai frowned in acceptance. "When will you be back?"

It was definitely a question I could not answer but I planned on being back before I would lose him completely. But according to the silence of my answer he assumed I would never return. It was so hard to walk away. I never wanted this day to come. It felt like the end. I wish I had the strength to stay and not walk. This was not my plan but it was out of my control. Next thing I knew my lips had touched his. It was as chaste as it could be. I just couldn't let him go. I don't think I could have answered with words to be honest. So many things had been left unsaid. This was my first official kiss that we shared. Other times they were just pointless pecks but this time there was more of a innate and special feel to it, something as great as magic. But like I said, so many things were left unsaid.

I can already picture it. I would leave to another state. I will be welcomed by my mother's dad. I will meet new friends. I would be sitting in a empty room thinking about everything I could have done to prevent it. All I had was gone.

We pulled away from the kiss and he stared at me. God save me. Water falling from his crystal eyes. I always thought boys were too tough to cry, but no. Proof was before me. I started to turn away. It was a sin. The sins of betrayal, the sins of our love, the sins of sadness and reminiscence. I felt like both our incoming tears if not unleashed now, they would bleed into the sky.

My footsteps were heavy each time I stepped from his presence. I couldn't even turn to look at him. If I did I would probably never see my mother again. I made it through the school doors to see my mother parked out front. The sounds of my friends yelling for me were overlooked.

I touched the handle of the car door and I opened it unwillingly. My mom was on her phone. I situated myself in the front seat, eyes down, head down, thinking why in the hell am I doing this. What the hell was wrong with me?and why the fuck did I have to catch dad cheating and fall into that pond. If I hadn't, none of this would have happened. It couldn't be fought though, outmatched, outran. I closed my eyes again. It was all my fault.

/

Alexander, don't leave me, please. I need you.

He cries for me. His voice echoes away.

\

Next thing the car started up and we were gone.

"Alex!" Shouted Phai after the mom drove off with his friend. He started to run after the car but the wheels moved faster than his legs ever could. He stopped once he heard a voice call for him. It was Tolem. The frizzy haired boy caught up with him.

"Come on Phai, we'll see him again." Said the tired boy placing his hand on his shoulder.

Phai shook his head and watched the car turn the corner. "No we won't."

Life is never perfect. Everyone had a time when they lost something very special to them for a long time just to find it later in the attic or in boxes stocked up high in the garage. The thing was they never lost it to begin with. They had it with them the whole time, it was just misplaced.

I was his misplacement. Oh but we found each other again and Phai stole me back from my mom the same way my mom stole me from him.