Chapter 10
Duo cheerfully walked down the sidewalk quickly, his black tie blowing up in his face from the wind. He pushed it back down. 'The "Special" problem's no biggie,' he smiled his usual carefree grin as he put his hands in his pockets, thinking carefully.
After all, his dad was away all the time with his OZ business, so Duo had the whole house to himself for sometimes days at a time.
His dad.
Duo found himself looking down intently at the sidewalk. His fists clenched inside his jacket pockets.
James Maxwell – Treize's trusted advisor and right-handed man, demander of things that could never happen, and known to have astronomical standards beyond anyone's highest expectations.
"Like wanting me to be the next Treize Khushrenada, or something," Duo muttered to himself, kicking a rock down the street with the side of his polished black shoe.
It was almost depressing when his dad ever came to mind. Ever since his wife – Duo's mom – passed away because of an accident, James had never been the same. He'd always be focused on work, constantly in his room ('whenever he was home, that is,' Duo reflected crossly), and always trying to figure out some new way that he could please 'Mr. Treize!'. It was as if Treize was his god, and he the ardent worshiper. His father even named his dog after Treize (just spelled 'Trays')! It also seemed that Treize and work somehow filled that cavernous void that James's beautiful wife, companion, and friend left him to deal with.
Oh, yeah…then there was Duo. Not much to say there. Duo was simply his lethargic, stupid son who couldn't even get a decent C on a government test. The only thing he was ever good for was a laugh. Sitting, watching a television program – 'starring you-know-who,' Duo furiously thought as he walked – was as far as "quality time" went. Family time functioned as far as the quickly-eaten (and occasional) dinner meal they shared together. Yes…that's about as far as the father/son relationship progressed.
Duo suddenly didn't feel like eating ice cream anymore. He felt like being by himself, alone for a while; there were a couple things he needed to think about. Lucas would understand if he showed up late.
As Duo changed directions, heading for a different road, he thought about his friends.
Lucas, along with his other friend, Trowa, were his only two good companions. Sure, he was popular in school, but none of those people that were around him came even close to being called "friends." Lucas was simply Lucas. He wasn't attractive or popular, but he was always wonderful to be with, quite unsuperficial, and was what Duo considered a real friend. Trowa was newer to the area, and again, not popular, but was naturally quiet and understanding. Duo greatly appreciated both of his friends.
Some hung around him because that's just what he was – popular. Plus, his dad was a big-time "G-Man," which spoke for itself. Others hovered over him because he could be a great conversationalist and could also be rather funny at times. And some lingered with him because he wasn't like everyone else; something was just different about him.
Duo knew all this, and hated it. He didn't shun anyone, though; that would simply be rude. And he liked the attention to a certain extent, but after that it got just plain bothersome. He wished there could be a person he could actually be real with, someone who understood his pain. No one knew, not even Lucas or Trowa. They thought he had the best life because of his wealth (if you wanted to have a good time, just go to Duo's house!) and his "cool" dad (Whoa! He knows Mr. Treize personally!).
There was one place that Duo loved to go to when he was feeling this way – underneath the bridge. It was a place where people weren't around to interrupt him of his thoughts. It was a place where he could just sit and unwind, letting go of the city's distractions, a place where he could settle down and basically…think.
The bridge was only one of many other bridges – merely connecting one of the numerous towns to Jade. But this particular town usually just stayed to themselves; it was a more laid-back district than the others. As a result, not many people were usually seen crossing the bridge or loitering around it.
It was Duo's sanctuary.
He would sit underneath the bridge on a little patch on stone, listening to the birds chirping and watch the lake's water gleaming.
And he would just…think.
He never told anyone about his refuge, his place of safety and protection. He wasn't going to, anyway. It wasn't their business, for one, and for another, who was there to tell? Lucas? He'd laugh. Trowa probably wouldn't take it seriously, either.
Secrets are okay for people to keep by themselves…weren't they?
He sighed to himself. It would be a lot better maybe if he at least told someone.
But there was no one.
No one but the wind.
