Alex was still a little uncertain about Billy's friends and somewhat shy about meeting the bigger teen at his home. "Thanks, I'm Alex Cranston," he told Jason, "It's nice to meet you. Thanks for having me over." Jason ushered the boys inside, glad that Billy seemed to have relaxed in his twin's presence.
"Not a problem Alex. Do you want anything to drink or eat?" Alex uncertain about responding, since he just met Jason, and didn't want to be intrusive. "A soda would be fine- if you have it, Jason."
Billy is noticing the reticence that Alex was showing told him, "Alex, relax. Jason is my best friend. He's sincere in his hospitality. C'mon lets meet his parents." Alex just nodded and allowed himself to be led to the kitchen where Jason's parents greeted him enthusiastically.
"Welcome Alex. Can we get you anything?" Jason's mom asked.
Alex blushed, not used to having such a fuss made over meeting him. "Thank you ma'am, Jason was getting me a drink I believe. It's nice to meet you."
The Scott's smiled and left the boys to their own devices, as they returned to the living room. Billy sat on the sofa, followed by Jason and then Alex. Jason noticing that Billy was suddenly antsy, and unable to sit still very long, he handed Alex his drink, but hesitated before giving Billy the coffee he had made him. "Billy, are you sure you should even have caffeine right now? You suddenly seem nervous. What's up?"
Billy looked up at Jason and then over to Alex, carefully considering if he wanted to delve into why he is so angry with Lance.and why he wanted his, correction THEIR half-sister out of town and out of their lives.
Alex noticed his brother's reticence and asked, "Billy what is wrong? You practically ran to greet me, now you seem to have gone on a mental road trip." Alex scooted over and looked deep into Billy's eyes, wondering if he would open up about it.
After a moment of consideration, Billy hopped up from the couch.. "May we talk in your room Jase? I'd feel more comfortable there."
Jason nodded and told his oldest friend, "Of course." The three followed him up to his room, bringing the drinks. Alex shot him a "what the hell is wrong with him?" look, and all Jase could do was shrug. For all the years he had known Billy, he still couldn't decipher his moods when it came to emotional issues.
As the boys entered the room, Billy headed straight to the window and stared out at early evening Angel Grove. It was as if he could will himself to be somewhere else if he just wished hard enough. What he needed to say would change things forever in his mind, his relation ship with Jason, Alex, everyone. Needless to say, that his father's already tarnished record would be ruined forever in the eyes of some. Taking a deep breath, he started to speak in a low voice.
"Jason, I know I have only mentioned my half-sister in passing.and never in a good way." Billy blushed at that confession. It wasn't like him to speak ill of others, but Shanna was a special case. "Alex you know her, but not really why we hate each other so much. Father-he told me the truth about this in a letter after I totally lost it the other night, which was not a pretty sight to say the least." He sighed and rolled his eyes to the ceiling as if trying to gather his thoughts before continuing, "I had always assumed that he had been married previously- before he met mom. I wish I could still believe that now. He.he. had an illicit affair early into his marriage to mother," the words came tumbling out as if by saying the quickly, the pain would be shorter lived, "and the woman died in a jet crash when Shanna was four and I was three. afterwards Shanna came to live with us."
Jase could almost see the tears in his friend's eyes as he continued, "They told me she was adopted until I was older, and even then I was always asked to accept her as a sister- which I had no problem with at first. I was lonely and glad to have a sibling even if I had no idea at the time that she really was my sister and not an orphan they had taken in. She, on the other hand, seemed to feel differently. She was a horrible child to live with.she was trying to cope with her mother's death, suddenly living with strangers and having a little brother." He shook his head as if considering Shanna's failure to adapt his own, "I don't think anything we could have done would have made her happy. As we got older, she became worse. I noticed how she resented mom and any attempts she made to get close to Shanna. She picked on me mercilessly, like it was the only thing that gave her joy. It was as if by striking out at me, she could hurt someone else. Someone she blamed for her circumstances."
Billy sipped his coffee he retrieved from the beside table before continuing, "It was getting to the point where I would over-hear conversations they had about sending her away to boarding school or a child psychologist. I don't know if mom ever knew about the affair.I think Dad told her a childhood friend had asked him to watch over Shanna if something ever happened to her." Billy's voice broke for a second, and he took a moment to collect himself, holding the coffee close to him as if for comfort.
Alex just sat still with his hands wrapped around the glass, as he waited for Billy to continue the story. Finally, Billy left the window and sank into a nearby chair as he looked them over before continuing. ".Sorry, I think it's so fucking ironic that dad fooled us all like that. Me, you and mom. Anyway, about a year before we lost mom in the hold-up, Shanna finally became too much for all of us. She was setting small fires, becoming violent and erratic. She had become a danger to all of us, and Mom and Dad were forced to do something about the situation."
Billy looked over at Jason, "I don't think she ever recovered from losing her mother." He smiled sheepishly, "I know I can understand that. I do remember Mom finally losing her cool about the whole situation. She walked in front of Dad, holding up whatever it was Shanna had broken and stayed put until Dad heard her out, and agreed that Shanna had to go where she could get help. They sent her to a private boarding school for children with behavioral problems. That was putting a sugar coating on it- it was basically a reform school. Of she resented us even more after that."
Billy leaned back in the chair and looked at Jase and Alex, "She only came home on holidays, and that was too much. She would come home and almost get sent back in two days. It was like she wanted revenge on all of us for sending her away." Billy looked down at his coffee in shame, "Which I can understand now, but it didn't make it any easier." Looking up he said, "After Mom died, I don't think Dad could cope with having her in the house.
On more than one occasion she would tell him that she wished I was dead, as well as mom. She was at the funeral, but I was so screwed up in the head I attacked her when she tried to talk to me." Billy smiled bitterly at that memory, making Alex and Jason worry for a moment when he sipped his coffee and stared at the floor lapsing into a painful silence.
Alex stood and went to the window, mirroring Billy's earlier actions. Jason watched them noting the differences and similarities in the twins. He also realized that Alex was a lot calmer and mellow.while Billy was reserved, not calm. Jase went to Billy and gave him a brief hug, knowing that unloading emotionally was getting to him. He went to Alex, and simply put a hand on his shoulder, not knowing how his new friend would interpret a hug. Yes, he realized that he already considered Alex a friend. Alex turned and smiled at Jason.
Alex, sensing his concern, and somewhat touched at how quickly Jason had accepted him said, "I'll be ok eventually, thanks for your concern, Jason. This is a bit much for me to digest on top of every thing else we've been dealing with. I just don't know how I'll be able to return to the house and look at him."
Billy snorted rudely as he finished off his coffee."Welcome to the reality of our lives, Jason. We should be on MTV, or one of those dumb talk shows after all this drama. Anyway, several years have passed and I managed to ignore Shanna's presence on the planet quite well. Until she was there for dinner the other night, Dad sat us right next to each other.
I nearly had a heart attack. I have to admit that I was feeling a little ashamed since the last time we saw each other, several adults had to separate us. It was bad- really bad, and I don't want to talk about it. Let's just say that's how I got the scar on my back and leave it at that." He sighed and told them, "After the bombshells were dropped, she tried to corner me and talk. Needless to say, I didn't want to be in the same room as her, let alone; talk. My Dad, the bastard, pulled a dirty trick though.he put us in adjoining rooms so we would have to share the bath. I don't think I have ever been that mad in my life as when I stepped out of the shower to find her sitting on the sink waiting on me." He blushed deeply and said, "She wouldn't let me out until I heard her out. She apologized and, I have to admit that I laughed at her. I mean I laughed in her face," Looking over at his friend and brother, he said, "I know it wasn't nice, and I know I should have given her another chance, but I had had too much dropped on me. After that, she left me alone, but is still in town. I really don't want to run into her if she is in the house." Billy closed his eyes and sighed."Well, in my own erratic meandering way that's how I came to have a half-sister. I think I'm talked-out for a while guys. Anything to say in response?"
Jason simply sat for long moments, in shock at how the man he considered as a second father had been so cold to his family. To think, Lance Cranston had such skeletons in his closet. He went to Billy and held him for a moment, greatly admiring his friend's strength in dealing with the bed of lies he had found thrust into lately. Finally, he said, "I don't know about your sister, Billy, that's one you'll have to work out on your own, but I want you to know that I'm here for you Bro."
Alex stared out of the window, quietly taking in all he had heard, planning on verbally ripping into Lance as well as Shanna if he ever saw her again. He sighed and turned to his brother and new friend, "I don't have anything to say guys; except, that I need a hot shower and bed after all this. Billy, would you mind walking me back?"
Billy shrugged and got up stumbling over Jason. The bigger boy caught him before he hit the floor, and for just a moment Billy felt he could get lost in his friend's strength. Shoving the thought down viciously, he straightened himself out and said, "Thanks for the catch. It seems like you've been doing that a lot lately." Looking down, he continued, "It seems as if coordination has temporarily left me.as well, as the ability to think straight. I'll be back as soon as I walk Alex home."
"Sure Billy, I'll have the spare room ready for you. Bye Alex, see you around?" Jason tells them as he walks them to the front door. "Sure Jason, I'm glad I met you. I just hope meeting the rest of Billy's friends will go as well." He stopped and smiled at the midnight eyed boy before saying, "And thank you for being in Billy's life. He needs good friends like you. Good night, and thank your parents for me. " Alex turned away and headed down the walk, letting Billy come behind him to fall in step again as they walk back to the house.
Alex smiling at the way in which Jason cared for Bill, carefully watching out for him. As they reached Billy's house, Billy hung back, not wanting to go in. He knew that Billy couldn't avoid his, THEIR father forever either. "Are you coming in?" he asked hopefully.
Billy negated that with a small shake of his head, "No, maybe tomorrow. I'm too wiped out right now to deal with him. Please let me beg off Alex." Then seeing something in Alex's eyes he wasn't sure of he added, "Tell you what, I'll come by tomorrow no matter what. Let's say around five?"
"Good enough for me Bro'. Good night." Alex let himself in, heading straight to the room Lance had said was now his, ignoring his father and step-mother in the living room.
Seeing his second son enter, Lance sighed. The whole situation was getting out of hand. He realized that he had no one to blame but himself. That didn't make it any easier though. He got up and knocked on Alex's door, wishing Billy had come in as well.
"Alex, how is he?" Lance asked, wondering if Alex was now angry at him as well.
"You have some nerve asking me that, Lance. Billy and I had a long talk.I know about Shanna and how you let her nearly ruin his life. I have to think, I really do." He softened his voice, realizing that if Billy and Lance were going to heal their rift, then he shouldn't add to the pressure. "Please let me be, for now," he asked.
Closing the door, he went to the window, cursing to himself, "Damn, this is worse than I imagined."
Meanwhile, across town Adam wondered what Billy was up to- if he should call him. He also had to admit to curiosity about what Jase and Kim had said earlier- about Billy having a twin. Deciding to call it a night, he went to bed. He would call Billy first thing in the morning.
Jason awaited Billy's return, and wondered how much emotional damage this was doing to his friend. As Billy entered the room and crawled into Jason's bed without so much as a thought. Jason had wondered when the walls would finally break down. Apparently it was well past time for it. He watched as Billy kicked off his shoes and turned over so he could face Jason. Jase could tell he needed to vent, scream rant and yell, but for some reason his friend was at a loss for words. Suddenly, he looked into Jason's eyes and reached for him, tears suddenly overflowing as he started to cry. Jason held his friend close, hating to see his little Bro' in so much pain.
Much later, Jase was unsure how much though, tears stopped and Billy was quiet, as if he was sleeping. Jason reached over to turn off the light and realized Billy was not going to talk. He must have cried himself out, Jason mused as he flexed the arm that had fallen asleep from where Billy had held onto him during his crying jag. As Jason turned on his back, Billy followed suit. "You're not asleep are you?" Jason asked as he sat up and looked over his friend.
"No" Billy said thickly as he sat up and attempted to wipe the tearstains from his face. "I don't think I will sleep well tonight Jase." He smiled sheepishly and said, "Sorry for using you as a pillow." Billy started to get off the bed. Jason grabbed his hand and pulled him back. "No way, you don't need to be alone now. We can talk or I'll just be here for you Billy- like always." Billy looked down at his best friend, unable to put into words what he felt. For the life of him, he would never know what possessed him to wrap himself around Jason and start bawling again.
Jason was surprised. Billy wasn't known for being so open emotionally. To see him so vulnerable scared him as well, and made him feel as if Billy had placed the ultimate trust in him- to let him see him like this. Jason ran his fingers through Billy's hair and rocked him gently. Unconsciously, Billy responded in kind. He needed the contact of another person so desperately right then. After his second crying jag of the evening had ended, he remained wrapped around Jason as if letting go would cause him to fall into the Abyss.
For the rest of his life, Jason would never know what had motivated him to stay with Billy all night and the next morning, even after awakening entwined together in his bed. Apparently his parents let them sleep in and called the school, because neither boy stirred until well into the morning.
Adam, Tommy and the others were concerned when neither Jason nor Billy showed up for school. They did finally get to meet Alex however, since he started school that morning. He was just as concerned for his brother's well-being as the others. Recognizing his appearance to that of their friend, at lunch the rest of them went over and introduced themselves to Alex.
"Excuse us, Alex Cranston?" Aisha asked shocked at the fact that the boy sitting in front of her was so much like Billy yet nothing like him. They didn't dress alike or speak the same.
"Yes, can I help you?" Alex answered, wondering who these kids were. People weren't that friendly at his old school.
"Hi, were some of Billy's friends." Tommy said extending a hand to Alex. "We wanted to come say hi and welcome you to Angel Grove." Tommy noted the boy was not as friendly as Billy even after you got past the shell he had up.
"Hi there. Thanks. To be honest, I'm a little lost around here. I thought Billy would be able to help me out, but Jason's mom said they were both too wiped out to come today."
Adam raised an eyebrow quickly-letting his mind wonder why they would be so tired that they couldn't come to school. No, it's not like that Adam. Stop it, Adam admonished himself as he looked up to find Alex giving him a quick once over. Shyly he said, "Uh hi, I'm Adam Park. Nice to meet you Alex."
"Nice to meet you too," Alex couldn't help but smile at the other boy, "Billy talks about you a lot, now I can see why." Adam was scrumptious . He decided to kick his brother if he didn't scoop Adam up quickly. Alex got a quick tour of the high school with the promise of hanging out after school with the guys.