A Desperate Life
Disclaimer: I don't own Code Lyoko.
Chapter 7: New Problems, few solutions
Three days later at a hospital gown. He had been tested all day today since he told Frederick everything yesterday. Well everything meaning how he was prostituted for years, burnt and scarred over most of his body, and his relationship with Jeremie. The last one he regretted the most. Frederick immediately revealed his obvious hostility towards gays and even threatened to not let Odd see Jeremie. Frederick called it a suggestion but Odd saw it as a threat.
"The tests are all done," a nurse said brightly to Odd as she entered, "if you'll follow me I'll take you to your clothes to get dressed," she told him.
"Okay," Odd said slowly and obeyed her.
When he reached where Frederick was waiting it was a little after 2 pm.
"I'm ready," Odd said formally.
Mr. Douglas looked up from the newspaper. He knew Odd was upset with him.
But being in a relationship with a man? Douglas thought, that's not happening here.
Mr. Douglas got up and Odd followed him. They walked until they came to Mr. Douglas's black Land Rover. Both got in and Mr. Douglas drove off.
"You're not keeping me away from Jeremie," Odd said as they drove, "he's my closest friend."
"I thought Ulrich was that," Mr. Douglas countered.
"He is," Odd admitted, "but what Jeremie and I have is different," he told Mr. Douglas.
Mr. Douglas quickly found a parking space and parked his car.
Your parents would roll in their graves if they heard this!" Mr. Douglas shouted, "you're the last Della Robia of your family," he said, "how can you continue the family line if you're gay," he said incredulously.
"I'm no one's sperm bank," Odd said angrily.
Mr. Douglas sighed. He was pulling in a sinking boat.
"Just consider your options," Mr. Douglas said slowly, "if you prefer guys after that," he told Odd, "you'll have my blessing," he promised.
"So I just have to have fun with some girls and you'll be happy?" Odd asked.
"I want you to test the waters, see what's out there," Mr. Douglas said carefully, "I don't like the idea of homosexuality under my roof Odd," he said seriously.
"Is this moral or religious?" Odd asked.
"Moral," Odd told him, "so you don't want to try to meet girls?" he asked.
"I didn't say that," Odd protested, "Jeremie and I have an open relationship," he declared.
"Open!" Mr. Douglas shouted causing Odd to look at him in alarm, "Oh God," he said apologetically, "I shouldn't have acted like that, I'm so sorry Odd," he apologized.
Odd considered his options. He could get mad but found that avenue pointless.
"I've heard worse," Odd said simply with a shrug.
Frederick sighed; it was obviously that he felt bad.
"How about we start over," Odd suggested suddenly.
"Hi I'm Odd," Odd said and extended his hand.
Mr. Douglas looked at his hand confused. Then he smiled.
"I'm glad that you're forgiving?" Mr. Douglas said and shook Odd's hand.
"They're no grudges when you get a fresh start," Odd said brightly even though deep down he still felt offended by his cousin's thoughts on his relationship with Jeremie.
"I know you still dislike my thoughts of you and Jeremie," Mr. Douglas said frankly as he shook Odd's hand, "I'm sorry that I just can't agree with you on this one," he said.
"Are you going to keep me away from Jeremie?" Odd asked in a small voice.
"No," Mr. Douglas revealed, "but there'll be rules," he added.
Odd groaned.
"You two will not go off alone without permission," Mr. Douglas listed, "any date, with him or anyone else has to be approved by me first, no sex until you're sixteen…" he continued.
"Sixteen!" Odd cried out horrified.
Mr. Douglas looked at Odd dangerously.
"It's just that…" Odd started but stopped.
"You need to reign it all in," Mr. Douglas told him, "you're thirteen," he reminded Odd, "and you've got sexual experiences under your belt that you shouldn't have had in the first place," he said, "I don't care if it's a girl or guy, no sex."
"This is stupid," Odd muttered.
"Are you a sex addict?" Mr. Douglas asked suddenly.
"Excuse me!" Odd shouted angrily.
"Then stop whining," Mr. Douglas said and started the car.
"I bet Jeremie's having a better time," Odd muttered.
Mr. Douglas sighed and didn't respond.
------
Jeremie meanwhile leaned back and enjoyed the ride. A chartered taxi was taking him home from a gruelling day. Mr. Hopper had told him that it was his last day of registration. At least the last day that he Jeremie had to be personally involved. For that Jeremie was grateful. Despite Mr. Hopper's prepping, Jeremie found the questions he was asked, the physicals, the signing of documents, giving fingerprints and everything else needed to register him as a Hopper and proving himself a French citizen gruelling. Somehow Mr. Hopper got a hold of records showing he was at Mercy Adoptions at some point, which helped prove he existed. The records at Mercy Adoptions also showed him being adopted at age four. That of course was a lie. But Jeremie knew that was their way to excuse him not being there anymore. Besides, while he was at Mercy Adoptions he was told his name was Ton Wilkins. He eventually found out that was a lie, but before that he knew that as his only name. Jeremie guessed that there was probably no record of a Tom Wilkins at Mercy Adoptions. Just another way that Mercy Adoptions a.k.a. 'The Bed' got away with it's illegal activities.
When the taxi reached the Hopper's residence Jeremie was ready to go to bed.
-----
Ulrich meanwhile sat down sulking. He had taken an aptitude test. He wasn't happy with how it turned out.
"Grade 6," Ulrich said unhappily, "I'm supposed to go to a kid class?" he asked darkly.
"You can do it privately," Mrs. Ophelia Stern suggested.
Yeah, awesome idea, Ulrich thought sarcastically.
"Don't roll your eyes at Ophelia," Mr. Stern warned.
Ulrich blinked in surprise. He hadn't even realized that he had done it.
"Sorry," Ulrich said softly.
"I'll bring a private tutor," Mr. Stern decided, you'll be privately thought wherever we reside," he continued, "welcome to rich home school," he declared.
"Home school's for weird kids and retards," Ulrich said scornfully.
"That's it!" Mr. Stern exploded, "you've been complaining since you got here!" he shouted, "why you travel so much, mom would do this and that, sighing after being told a curfew, and all sorts of crappy ass complaints!" he shouted at Ulrich, "do you have anything to say that has a point?" he demanded.
"I hate you and I wished mom lived instead of you!" Ulrich exploded, "and since I whine so much here's something for you to whine on," he continued, "I'm gay."
Ulrich got up and stormed in to an empty room in the townhouse they were now staying at.
Moments later the door was slammed open.
"Come to beat your chest?" Ulrich asked superiorly as he waited for his father to answer.
"I think you do enough chest beating yourself to accommodate both of us," Mrs. Ophelia Stern responded and Ulrich turned around in shock, "you expected your Dad didn't you?" she asked, "well let's get one thing straight," she told Ulrich, "you're dad's not the only disciplinarian here," she said seriously.
Ulrich could feel the worst coming.
"You will come with me Hawkin's Specialized Boot Camp for a day," Mrs. Ophelia Stern announced shocking Ulrich, "be prepared to leave at 5 pm this evening," she said and walked out.
Ulrich sat on the bed in shock.
Specialized Boot Camp? Ulrich wondered.
-----
It was now 11 pm at the Hawkin's Make Your Own Boot Camp Academy.
Ulrich was trying to run a high level three minute obstacle course in two minutes.
The problem was that it was impossible for him to achieve this in bad weather. Bad weather as in heavy rain, howling winds and cold temperatures.
The best time he made was twelve minutes. His boot camp instructor wasn't having it.
"Move it! Move it! Move it!" Mrs. Ophelia Stern shouted as Ulrich struggled through the muddied obstacle course, "I don't see that leg work going into play maggot!"
Ulrich tried to move faster. He was starving and needed something to eat.
Unfortunately he wasn't allowed to eat until he could achieve this goal. Going through this obstacle course in two minutes, only expert combatants, attending students and some if it's employees could make the three minute mark on this course. Ulrich knew Mrs. Ophelia Stern had him beat.
When he fell for probably the billionth time, he felt his muscles protest in pain, his stomach protest because it was empty, and his body shiver from the cold.
"Ready to behave now?" Mrs. Ophelia Stern asked now standing over him.
"Yes," Ulrich said through chattering teeth, "can I eat now?" he asked.
"Long as you can get up out of the mud," Mrs. Ophelia Stern told him.
Ulrich slowly got up. Falling down in the mud twice. When he finally stood up his fatigues were covered in mud.
"Being an undercover reporter has afforded me lots of unique experiences," Mrs. Ophelia Stern said proudly, "let's get something to eat," she said and rested a hand on Ulrich's shoulder.
"Okay," Ulrich agreed and followed her off the obstacle course.
------
When Jeremie came it was almost midnight. Beside him lay their cell phone, now his. Odd had the disposable one. Ulrich had none and so far neither boy had gotten a message from him.
Jeremie was mad that Mr. Douglas was against them dating, but in the end he wasn't surprised.
"Mmmm," Jeremie said in pleasure when he was done, "how was yours?" he asked in a small husky voice as he leaned in close to the cell phone.
"Great," Odd responded with a laugh, "I'm so glad that I finally decided to sleep alone," he added.
"Me too," Jeremie said happily, "your orgasm was beautiful earlier," he complimented Odd.
"Um," Odd said and stopped.
"Your welcome," Jeremie said, "you want us to set up a date?" he asked.
"When?" Odd asked anxiously.
"Tomorrow night," Jeremie told Odd.
"Isn't that a bit soon?" Odd asked worriedly.
"Not if he wants to give you a chance," Jeremie said, "he's probably scared that you're going to be living with Mr. Hopper before the week's up," he said sarcastically.
"I want to defend him," Odd said honestly, "but how can I?" he asked, "he's pretty much wants me to be the Robia sperm bank and the normal teenager," he said angrily.
Jeremie could sense that Odd was hurt.
"Then don't," Jeremie said seriously, "when he wakes up tomorrow ask him," he instructed, "tell him I have Mr. Hopper's okay," he added.
"But…" Odd started.
"I'll get it trust me," Jeremie assured him, "Mr. Hopper's not your cousin."
"Lucky you," Odd said sarcastically.
"Just ask him tomorrow," Jeremie said, "the worst he can do is say no."
"I guess so," Odd said still nervous about asking Frederick to let him go out on a date.
A date with Jeremie.
------
It was 3 a.m. when Ulrich and Mrs. Ophelia Stern arrived at a hotel.
Mrs. Ophelia Stern had suggested that they stay at a hotel until in the afternoon. Ulrich was ecstatic. He wanted to finally relax in a nice warm bed.
But when they entered they chose, Mr. Stern was sitting on the white leather couch.
Ulrich stopped in his tracks.
"Hello Ulrich," Mr. Stern said to his son.
"Um, hi," Ulrich said slowly.
"Can you come sit here for a moment?" Mr. Stern asked and patted the space beside him.
Ulrich looked at the space then at his father.
"Please?" Mr. Stern asked.
Ulrich walked over carefully and sat down.
"Are you happy Ulrich?" Mr. Stern asked suddenly.
Ulrich continued to look forward.
"You hate me," Mr. Stern said and sighed.
"No," Ulrich responded surprising Mr. Stern, "it's just…" he started but stopped and stared at his feet.
Mr. Stern moved closer.
"You ever feel like you're from another world?" Ulrich asked suddenly, "like your whole life is completely foreign to everyone else's?" he asked.
"Sometimes," Mr. Stern admitted.
"How do you do it?" Ulrich asked him, "create a bridge between different worlds?"
"You mean how can you understand a world different from your own?" Mr. Stern stated.
Ulrich nodded.
"Yeah," Ulrich said and was now looking at his father.
Mr. Stern placed an arm around his son.
"You learn," Mr. Stern told him, "you learn, you try, you keep on learning," he said firmly, "and you never give up," he added and gently shook Ulrich humorously.
Ulrich laughed slightly. Then the happiness vanished from his eyes and he stared at his feet.
"It's not easy son," Mr. Stern said honestly, "adapting to a new environment," he said, "but we're all rooting for you," he said encouragingly, "and Ophelia and I have to adapt too," he added.
"Really?" Ulrich asked, "I thought you were ready for me coming home," he pointed out.
"We still have to get used to it," Mrs. Ophelia Stern said as she walked over, "and I never met you personally until a few days ago."
"That's true," Ulrich agreed.
"We just have to work together," Mr. Stern said, "I'm really glad to have you back," he told Ulrich.
"I'm glad to be back," Ulrich responded, "um, Dad, I'm really sorry…"
"It's okay," Mr. Stern told him, "I know you love me and your mother, very much," he said, "I'll never forget that."
"Thank you," Ulrich said and hugged his father.
Mr. Stern was stunned by his son's action.
Mrs. Ophelia Stern smiled.
I guess when he finds out we're making a surprise visit to Odd, he'll be even happier, Mrs. Ophelia Stern thought.
-----
"No!" Mr. Douglas shouted.
It was 10 a.m. at the Della Robia mansion and already there was great discontent.
"Why not?" Odd demanded angrily, "you've even avoided making visits," he accused, "Mr. Hopper called you this morning."
"Mr. H…" Mr. Douglas started but stopped, "wait," he said, "you still have that phone."
"It's mine," Odd said defensively.
Mr. Douglas sighed angrily.
"What do you want me to do?" Mr. Douglas asked Odd.
"Let me and Jeremie go out on a date," Odd told him.
"No, ugh, you just got here," Mr. Douglas protested, "can't you wait for a couple of weeks?" he demanded.
"Weeks!" Odd shouted, "I was supposed to see Jeremie days ago!" he shouted.
"Long as I can monitor the both of you, you can see him for half an hour," Mr. Douglas offered.
"Half an hour!" Odd shouted, "I might as well pack and live with Mr. Hopper!" he shouted incredulously, "what if I saw you for only half an hour?" he flung back.
I'd probably be grateful, Mr. Douglas thought bitterly.
"Half an hour," Mr. Douglas stood his ground.
"I can pack and leave a lot faster than that," Odd challenged.
"How far do you think you'd get if you decided to run away?" Mr. Douglas asked frankly.
"I'd only need to get to the Hopper's residence," Odd said, "and when I tell him how you've treated…"
"You're living in a mansion!" Mr. Douglas exploded, "how the hell have I treated you badly?" he demanded.
"By lying," Odd snarled, "you said you'd let me see Jeremie," he reminded Mr. Douglas, "that you'd let me see Ulrich," he continued, "you've been trying to keep us all apart!" he shouted.
"I have servants here," Mr. Douglas hissed, "they don't need to hear this," he said angrily.
"Then let me leave," Odd told him, "then you can have your perfect cushy life back," he snapped.
Mr. Douglas slapped Odd across the face.
There was a moment of silence only interrupted by the gasp of a near by servant.
Odd's right hand shook as it went to his slapped cheek.
Mr. Douglas meanwhile was red faced and breathing hard.
"You're in your parents' house," Mr. Douglas said angrily, "you're living in their luxury," he said breathing hard, "and you haven't showed one ounce of appreciation," he snarled.
Tears filled Odd's eyes.
"I love my parents," Odd declared proudly in a tearful voice, "we were well off before they became rich," he told Mr. Douglas, "and since they got rich after I was taken," he continued, "their riches don't matter to me," he said, "only that I love them," he said as more tears flowed down his cheeks, "I love them and they're gone," he said crying, "I loved them so much," he said bawling.
Mr. Douglas watched the deeply distressed teen cry. He was now feeling bad about hitting Odd.
Maybe he's not ungrateful, Mr. Douglas thought, he just misses his parents, he realized, and most rightfully hates me, he thought sadly.
"They missed you so much," Mr. Douglas said in a cracked voice, "I remember them writing letters and leaving gifts for you under the tree," he reminisced, "I remember feeling jealous of your family," he admitted, "even before you got kidnapped," he added.
Odd continued to stand there crying.
Mr. Douglas sighed and tried to hug Odd.
Odd moved away.
"Odd I…" Mr. Douglas started.
"No," Odd refused to listen, "I'm going," he told Mr. Douglas.
"I…" Mr. Douglas started but stopped, "okay," he conceded, "just bathe and get dressed," he told Odd.
Odd quickly stopped crying.
"You mean I can visit Jeremie?" Odd asked surprised.
"You can live with him," Mr. Douglas revealed, "I'm sending you to Mr. Hopper, to stay," he added.
"What?" Odd asked.
"I'm too young," Mr. Douglas said seriously, "I can't take care of a teenager and live my own life."
"So you're sending me away?" Odd asked.
"Isn't it what you want?" Mr. Douglas asked him.
"Yes of course," Odd said immediately.
"Get ready," Mr. Douglas said simply.
Odd nodded and half an hour later he was showered and packed.
Odd had few things that he had since he came to the Della Robia mansion. He packed a picture of his parents, some letters, a few sets of new clothes and some other items. Mainly he kept the items he had taken with him from when he used to be on the run with Ulrich and Jeremie. Two black turtleneck sweaters, one brief, three boxers, three shirts, two pants, a pair of socks, a pair of sneakers, a few pictures taken over time at malls, booths and so on, and a few other miscellaneous items.
"Ready?" Mr. Douglas asked.
"Yeah," Odd said softly.
"I…I'm so sorry about hitting you earlier," Mr. Douglas apologized.
"I know," Odd said, "Frederick?"
"Hmm?" Mr. Douglas responded.
"Why can't we make this work?" Odd asked his teenage eyes looking desperately into the eyes of his older cousin's.
Mr. Douglas sighed.
"Maybe because we don't have a relationship," Mr. Douglas said honestly, "in a way we're still strangers," he told Odd, "you know and trust Mr. Hopper more than you trust me," he added.
"I don't mean to," Odd said upset, "it's just that…" he said but stopped.
"This is do or die Odd," Mr. Douglas said, "if you stay you have to promise not to hold Mr. Hopper's share of guardianship over my head," he instructed, "and I have to be a better guardian by listening to you and never hitting you again for starters," he added.
"Okay," Odd said softly, "I just want us to get along," he said tearfully.
"I'll let you date Jeremie tonight," Mr. Douglas decided.
"Thank you!" Odd cried and jumped on Frederick.
Frederick caught him and hugged him.
I hope this means things are getting better, Frederick thought, God help me if it gets worse.
------
Yes I updated 20 days later (today's February 23) since my last update. Sorry for the long wait. It's shorter than I planned because I had a lot of problems with this chapter had to make all sort of editing and other changes. Good news though is that the next chapter has been flowing well so far. I hope to have it up in a week. Thank you to everyone whose reviewed so far and welcome to current newcomers and those new ones to come.