A/n: Whoo, time for chapter one!! *does happy dance* Oh, you'll have to excuse the insanity, I just had a smoothie. So...this chappie'll probably skip around a lot. Oh well, guess I ramble as much as Duo. Anyway... I'd like to thank my reviewers, all four of them...thanks guys, luv ya! Oh, and to answer some questions...sorry, Possessed Cookie Sooti, but this will not stay a 2x4 fic- it'll be 1x2, 3x4 later. But if ya really want, I'll write a 2x4 anyway. And MoonMyst-I know I portrayed Father Maxwell and Sister Helen a little differently, but I just had to get it to work with the story. ^-^ Thanks also to my other kind reviewers!


Sorry, this'll be another short chapter. The others should be longer than this, honestly. Originally this was going to be a really long chapter, but it worked better the cut it up a little. After all, the story's still just beginning. So I promise longer chapters later!


Oh, and one more note- I mean no offense to Catholics or people who go to Catholic schools. Not intending to offend anyone! And also, since I don't go to one (good ol' public school all the way! Whoo!), Duo's school will probably end up being a lot different than what they're really like. So if anyone has any tips...that would help a lot. Thanks!


Disclaimer: Gah, I'm too lazy. Go look at the prologue if you really need to see it in writing.


Warnings: Still 2x4, for now. Um...mild angst, sorta.


Chapter 1- I guess this is goodbye


My mom watched me sadly as I finished packing the things from my room. After Quatre had gone back home, I had talked to my mom for hours, trying to convince her to tell my dad to let me stay. Of course, he wouldn't hear of it. He had locked himself in his room, anyway. He said I'd disgraced the family and that he didn't want to see my face ever again. He won't even see my mother and I off this morning, he's so mad. I'm getting sent off to some Catholic boarding school (gag!) In Nowheresville, New York. It's a school for "troubled youths." And they won't even let me visit during breaks or even during the summer! I really can't believe this.


Of course, Solo seems to be enjoying his little "victory." God, I don't know why he hates me so much. He probably just thinks he's better than me or something. Apparently word leaked out at school of Quatre's and my relationship, and he heard it from a friend of his. So he started keeping an eye on us a few months back, and probably saw us messing around or something. Then he just waited until he could prove my sexuality to my parents, like he was finally able to last night. I haven't seen him since last night, come to think of it. Oh well, it's not like I wanted to see him anyway. After all, it's his fault I'm getting shipped off to God-knows-where. Troubled youths...jeez, that's where he should be, not me!


I loaded the last of my bags into the trunk and slammed it shut. I sort of half wished Solo would actually show his face, so I could give him a little...parting present. I'm debating between a broken arm or a broken leg. I glared up at his window. Such a coward...


"D...Duo?" I heard a voice behind me.


"Kat!" Before I knew it, I was enveloped in a suffocating, wet hug. Poor Kat, always crying about everything. Then again, he has a reason to this time, as do I. I kissed his forehead and pulled back slightly.


"So...I guess...this is goodbye?" Quatre stared at the ground.


"I guess so," I said, also staring down at the driveway. "Bye, Kat...I'll call or write whenever I can, I promise. And I'll even try to visit sometime, like over the holidays or something. I love you, Kat...and I'll miss you a lot."


"I'll miss you too! And...I love you."


Now even I started to cry, which is a big thing for me. Boys aren't supposed to cry, or so I'm told. By my father, among other people. I pulled him into my arms and kissed him.


When I looked back towards the house, I was surprised to see Solo watching us from his window. Even from the ground, I could see the look of utter contempt and disgust in his eyes. Just to annoy the hell out of him, I smirked and turned back to Quatre, kissing him more forcefully. My little trick worked- when I checked Solo's window again, he was gone. I grinned in triumph.


"I'll miss you. Bye, Kat." With that I hopped into the backseat of my mother's car. I could still see Quatre crying as we pulled out of the driveway and drove away. I waved sadly until we turned a corner, out of view of both him and my home of fifteen years.


~*~


The ride to New York was a quiet one. My mother was focused only on the road, so I stared out of the backseat window. The ride was supposed to be about eight hours, so that just left me more time to sulk. //a/n: On his mushroom!!! Don't ask...//


I really couldn't believe this. Of course I knew my dad would be mad if he ever found out I was gay, but I never would have expected this. I mean, I know the Bible says it's wrong and all, but seriously- does he honestly think I want to be gay? Seriously, some peoples' logic really confuses me...And now I won't be able to even see my mother again! Or my friends for that matter-all two of them. That would be, of course, Kat, and my other friend Hilde. Well, maybe I could visit them sometime, but it just wouldn't be the same. And of course I wouldn't see my father or brother again, but as far as I'm concerned, they're no longer my family either.


Oh, look-I'm rambling again...Oh, look- a tree! I think this long ride's getting to me. We hadn't seen a single building in the last hour, and not even a single tree for the past forty-five minutes. It's been a really long ride. Too bad it's only been about an hour and a half...


Suddenly, the unexpected happened. My mom actually spoke.


"Duo?" I stopped watching the retreating tree for a moment to look at her.


"Hm?" I asked, not sure whether this conversation would be a good thing or a bad thing.


"Duo, I just wanted you to know...well, I couldn't say this in front of your father, of course, but...Duo, I really love you. And so does your father. It may not seem like it, but he's just trying to do what the thinks is best for you. I have to admit I was...shocked to see you and Quatre, um, kissing, but...I realized that it didn't really matter. And I realized that you were still my son, no matter what. My Duo. And I don't want you to forget that, even though I can't be there to remind you every day. I'll make sure I visit sometimes, I don't care what your father says. So please don't take this too hard, okay?"


All I could think of to do was nod and mumble a barely intelligible "thanks." That was the only conversation we had for the rest of the ride.


When at last the school came into view, I saw that she was still crying softly. I smiled. At least I still had part of my family left, and for that I was grateful. I guess I wouldn't be as alone as I thought I would be after all.


Tbc...