Tangled Youth

Chapter 25

Shannon hadn't spoken to Boone in four days. But Sabrina certainly had, lecturing him and encouraging him to go to New York. And even though Shannon's glares and silence was difficult to bear, Sabrina convinced him that she would come around. On the fourth day, Boone was sitting at the kitchen table, the registration form for NYU in front of him, as he ate breakfast, when Shannon came in.

"You're going, aren't you? You're going to NYU?" Her voice sounded breezy, detached, but her tone was strained, like there was something more beneath it. She was wearing a bathrobe, and her hair was in a messy bun, and her eyes appeared watery, her eyelashes clumped together from mascara she had forgotten to take off the night before. Still, Boone couldn't remember a time when she had looked like she had needed him more.

"I'll still visit," was all he could muster. "I'm sorry, I really am sorry, but I really need a change of environment. I've lived in Southern California my whole life, and –"

"Save it, okay? If I cared I would have said something by now!"

Boone sighed. He knew she cared, but he also knew that he deserved this. "Okay, Shan, but sooner or later you'll have to forgive me. And even if I'm on the other side of the country, we'll still be brother and sister and we'll still be close. I promise, and you can visit over breaks and everything."

"Thanks, but I need to get to ballet. And I won't be home until late because I'll be at Gabe's house. Actually, could you tell Sabrina I'm staying over at Anna's? I might not make it back 'till morning." Shannon said coolly, purposely trying to provoke him.

"You're a slut," he said, trying to be angry.

"You're a selfish bastard," she said back. "And stupid. You know you only got in to all those schools because of Sabrina's connections."

"Well, you only have a boyfriend because you'll do things with him that no one else is slutty enough to do!" He didn't mean it, but he had heard one of Gabe's friends say that in the locker room. He had clenched his fists at the time, ready to punch Gabe into oblivion, but now it seemed like the perfect comeback. But he knew it was cruel, and the brief victory of what he had said wore off before he had even finished the sentence. Shannon blinked, and her mouth twisted slightly.

"Wh- who told you – " but she recovered quickly. "Whatever. I'm above your stupid made-up insults, you're just a selfish coward, and I hate you. I mean it, you make me sick!" And with that, she turned on her heel and exited the kitchen.

"Shannon, wait!" He tried to stop her, but she was already gone. Boone knew that he was making the right decision, and he knew that Shannon would get over it, but her anger still made Boone uneasy. Still, he picked up his pen and began to sign the paper.

The next day, a balmy Sunday, he invited Erin over to tell her about his decision. Also, he felt as if he'd been neglecting her lately. He knew he should want to spend time with her, and not just out of obligation, but that was the problem with starting a relationship with someone because she looked like Shannon. But, he reasoned with himself, he and Erin shared more interests – the same music taste, similar political views, and he enjoyed being with her. He must be in love with her, right? Not as much as he loved Shannon, but he would never love anyone as much as Shannon.

When Erin arrived at the door, he enveloped her in a warm hug, and she reciprocated with pleasure. "I've missed you lately," she pulled back. "So, guess where I went this morning?"

"Where?" He played along, having no idea what she was talking about.

"Well, I went to church for the first time in months, and I really, you know, like, felt connected to what the priest was saying. I mean, I've really been missing out."

"Oh." Boone had absolutely no idea how to respond to this, or the cross necklace she was wearing. "Are you… Protestant?"

"No, I'm Catholic," she said earnestly. "That means I get to do confessions and everything. I did one today, actually," she looked down. "And what we talked about on Friday? I'm going to stick with that decision."

Boone looked at her guiltily. "Um, are you like, going to Hell because of me?"

"I hope not," she smiled. "So, you said you had to tell me something? I have something… well, something else, to tell you, too."

"Okay," he said agreeably, not sure what to make of her new found Catholicism. "Come on in," he led her to the kitchen. "Want something to drink?"

"Sure, I could have some water." But when Boone arrived in the kitchen, he was surprised to find Shannon in there. She still wasn't speaking to him. Well, she was, but nothing particularly nice came out of her mouth when she did, indeed, speak.

"Hey, Erin," Shannon rolled her eyes. "You here so he can tell you the big news?" Shannon brushed past Boone, and opened the refrigerator. "Get out of the way, asshole." She muttered to him. Boone didn't move. It wasn't his fault he wanted to go to the school of his choice.

"Shannon, quit trying to make me feel guilty, because I have nothing to be guilty about!" Except leaving my baby sister to move across the country, he thought. And he did feel guilty, even if he shouldn't. But she was his responsibility, and he was her rock, apparently, and each glare Shannon shot him was another reason for him to stay in California.

"Boone, what's going on?" Erin asked suspiciously. "Why should you be guilty?" Shannon smirked, taking a Diet soda out of the refrigerator and sitting on the kitchen counter, her tiny pleated skirt riding up in the thighs. Boone tried desperately not to notice the new skin. But, despite his efforts, his eyes grazed over her smooth legs appreciatively. His eyes seemed magnetized to her body. Shannon crossed her legs, turning away, and Erin looked at Boone expectantly. "Boone?" She wrinkled her nose. "I'm talking to you?"

"Sorry, Erin," he tore his eyes from Shannon. "Um, so I needed to tell you, um – " Erin looked at Shannon, and back to Boone. "Oh! Shannon, could you maybe give Erin and I a minute?"

"Whatever," she said coolly, but she touched the side of his shirt as she left the room. Erin smiled sickeningly at both Shannon and Boone, but it was rather ill-humored.

"So?" Erin asked expectantly.

"Well, I got my college acceptance and rejection letters, and I was accepted into NYU, and, even though it's a big move, I think I'm going to go."

"That's great!" She exclaimed. "Oh my god – I mean, gosh!" She gave Boone a huge hug. "Guess what? I'm going to college in Oregon! At University of Oregon! I thought you'd be really upset, but you're going away too, so, it's perfect!"

"Yeah, I guess it is," Boone smiled, relieved that her reaction was at the opposite end of the spectrum as Shannon's. "So, where does this, um… put our relationship? Do you wanna just play it by ear?"

"Okay," she said somberly. "Let's just stay together until the end of the summer and then see where we are then."

"Good," he nodded. "So, you wanna go get some lunch?"

After lunch, Boone called his friend Kevin to tell him about his college choice. "So, I'm going to NYU," he told him.

"Dude, are you serious? I'm going to like, California State Hayward or whatever. You must be really smart, man," he responded. "So, how's life? Besides that?"

"Well, Erin's decided to be all Catholic now." Boone said.

"Does that mean no more sex? Dude, that sucks. Were you that bad?" He instantly assumed.

"What?"

"I mean, were you that bad in bed to make her want to not screw you?"

"I hadn't thought of it that way," Boone said slowly. But remembering how Anna had raved about his bedroom abilities to Shannon that one night, Boone didn't think this was a serious possibility. "I don't think so, though."

"Yeah, neither do I. I was talking to Anna about it a few days ago, it just sort of came up." Kevin said.

"Why were you talking to Anna? Are you guys friends?" As far as Boone was concerned, they hadn't ever spoken.

"Well, uh… that's what I was going to tell you. I hope it's okay. But, last weekend, I kind of ran into her, and we ended up hooking up." Kevin confessed. "Is that okay?"

"Um," Boone tried to stifle a laugh. He should be jealous, but he was actually vaguely amused. "Yeah, sure."

"Well, that's good. The girl is hot." Kevin sighed.

"Well, good luck. She's well aware of that fact." She'll sleep with anything that moves, he elaborated in his mind.

"Yeah… So, good about the college thing. But I gotta go. See you," Kevin said, sounding relieved. "Bye."

Boone hung up. He should be more excited about moving, or apprehensive, or feel something, but all he could dwell on was that Shannon wasn't talking to him. What if they never spoke again? They fought all the time, but what if this fight was… more? Boone sighed, trying to think more positive thoughts, but his thoughts were interrupted shortly after when his mother and Adam arrived home, announcing that they were going out for dinner. Well, this is going to put the din in dinner, he thought, anticipating a screaming match initiated by Shannon.

I hope you liked it. It seemed a little like a filler, but I think/ hope it was a necessary filler. The review button wants some attention, and what better way than to review my story? Thanks, and I really appreciate your input.