Part 2
They soon found their room, room 213 in third class. Thad was about to knock but Hunter just walked right in and since he was holding on to Thad so did he. The room was empty anyway so it didn't do anything. Hunter let go of Thad's hand and looked around the room.
"I think I'll like it here", he said and flopped down on a bed. "What do you think?"
When he didn't get an answer he looked up and had to smile. Thad was sitting on the bed, knees pulled up and his sketchpad out and he was drawing like crazy, whatever it was he didn't show Hunter. Thad never really did because he thought that all of his drawings were just crap, but Hunter knew it wasn't so. He really liked those drawings. Hunter smiled fondly at the smaller boy because he knew that he was now stuck in his own little world and wouldn't come out until he was ready… or if someone hit him.
Hunter lied down again but then the door opened and in came a tall young man, as tall as Hunter but not as muscular. He had brown hair and green eyes and he looked at Hunter and Thad in confusion.
"None of you are Blaine Anderson", he said and Hunter smiled. Blaine was the one they won that ticket from.
"Nope", he said and grinned. He sat up first and then got to his feet and held his hand out. "Hunter Carpenter. Looks like we're roommates."
"Sebastian Smith", the guy said and they shook hands. Sebastian then turned and looked at Thad. "And who's the little guy?"
"That's Thad Coleman", Hunter said and smiled fondly. "Don't bother trying to contact with him, right now he's in his own little world."
"Is he a lunatic or something", Sebastian asked nervously and took a step back.
"No he's just an artist and he is completely harmless."
Sebastian sighed in relief.
"Good", he said. "I was afraid he was a loony that just looks hot to lure in potential victims. Now I might actually have a shot at it."
Hunter felt like growling at that. Little did he know he actually did. Sebastian looked at him and smirked.
"Oh but he's taken isn't he", he teased.
"No", Hunter said. "He's not taken."
"Huh so then you don't mind me trying to get to know him?"
"Don't you dare."
"Why not?"
"Because I said so", Hunter said sharply and sat down on the bed beside Thad, knocking their knees together as he did so.
"Huh what who", Thad asked when he felt Hunter's knees hit his and he looked up. Hunter chuckled at his confused look. "Oh hi sorry I was just drawing… um I'm Thad and you are?"
"Sebastian Smith", Sebastian said and shook Thad's hand. "So you're a painter?"
"Y-yeah I try", Thad stuttered when Sebastian let go of his hand. "I-I'm not that good."
Hunter moved closer to Thad because Thad only stuttered when he was scared. But when Hunter was beside him he relaxed.
"Can I have a look Thad", he asked and Thad reluctantly handed him his sketchpad and Hunter looked at the picture. It was a beach and on the beach sat a young man looking at the ocean. He was all alone… and small and fragile looking. Hunter knew what that came from.
"Can I have a look", Sebastian suddenly asked and Thad looked up at him and nodded and then looked away, blushing. Hunter put an arm around him and pulled him close to his side as Sebastian started to look through the drawings. Some were in color and some were not. They were all landscapes or cityscapes but that Hunter guy seemed to appear in every single one of them. Except the latest one.
"These are really good", he said and Hunter smiled proudly and Thad mumbled:
"No they're not but thanks for saying so…"
"What are you talking about of course they are", Sebastian said and handed the pad back and Thad hugged it to his chest. "I wouldn't say so if it wasn't true."
"But all the art experts says they are bad…"
"Well they are just idiots who gets paid to say a whole lot of shit that means a whole lot of nothing", Sebastian said and Hunter laughed and Thad's lips twitched a little. Sebastian plopped down on the spare bed, he figured the duo opposite him wanted that bunk-bed for themselves.
"So", Sebastian said and looked at them. "What are you two planning on doing when reaching New York?"
"Um", Thad said. "I wasn't supposed to g-go. Hunter won my ticket in a betting game."
"He did?" Sebastian asked. "You didn't play against a guy named Blaine did ya?"
"I did", Hunter said and smirked. "He was shitty at it."
Sebastian snorted, yes that was Blaine for you.
"Oh well I can live without him", he said. "He was just here for me to have something pretty to look at. That sorted itself out I see because I got something prettier than Blaine."
Thad blushed and looked at his feet while Hunter… glared. Sebastian just smirked and closed his eyes. This would be a fun trip.
After another hour of just hanging around in their room Hunter suddenly got up and turned to Thad and Sebastian.
"Let's go out on the deck", he said.
"When, what, how, huh?" Thad said looking up from his sketchpad and Hunter rolled his eyes.
"He said we are going out, now", Sebastian said and got up. "And you're coming to Dauber."
Thad looked around.
"Who?" he asked and Hunter laughed and Sebastian smirked.
"You", Sebastian said and then saw how Thad's confused look turned into that of hurt. "What?"
"Calling someone a dauber means, among other things, that they are an untalented painter…"
When Hunter heard that his smile turned into a frown and he then glared daggers at Sebastian. Sebastian though only smiled and walked up Thad who was yet again looking at his drawing without looking up. Sebastian crouched in front of him.
"Hey I mean it in good fun", Sebastian said and put a hand on Thad's. Thad looked at him. "You called yourself a bad painter when we all know you are not so I'll call you Dauber so that you will know that I'm wrong… besides it's a petname."
"Petname?"
"I like you and I give everyone I like petnames."
"Oh…"
Sebastian got up.
"Come along then Dauber… Hunter", he said. Hunter rolled his eyes but got up and followed Sebastian to the door. Sebastian walked straight through but Hunter held the door open for Thad. Thad walked past him and out in the hallway.
There were a lot of people there and before they could start walking Hunter put his arm around Thad's shoulders and pulled him close. He had promised. He would never let go again. Too many times had Thad nearly been squished to death… or injury because he was so small that people just ignored him. Sebastian cocked an eyebrow at them but Hunter just smirked and walked past him, leading Thad past as well and Sebastian looked after them and then stopped dead gaping at what he saw. People spread into two lines around Hunter. Usually they just walked straight ahead not caring about who they bumped into but they all made sure not to bump into Hunter. They all got out of his way. Thad looked back over his shoulder and saw Sebastian gape further down the hall.
"Aren't you coming Bas", he asked. Sebastian closed his mouth and hurried up to the pair… struggling through the crowd. Hunter smirked when Sebastian reached them, looking slightly disheveled. He didn't know why but he loved it when the other male was in trouble. But his gloating turned to annoyance when Thad got out from under his arm to help Sebastian get his clothes in order again. Sebastian smirked at Hunter above Thad's head.
"There we go", Thad said and smiled. "All handsome again."
"Thanks Dauber", Sebastian said and kissed his forehead… or he would've if Hunter didn't pull Thad to his side again and started walking. Sebastian blinked in confusion but then hurried after them. He figured he better stay close to Hunter so that he wouldn't get lost in the crowd again. They soon got to the boat deck they saw a sign that told them third class was not allowed there. Thad sighed and looked at Hunter. Hunter smiled reassuringly at Thad.
"Come", he said. "Let's go back and see if we can find something to eat." He turned them around but Sebastian wasn't having any of it.
"Wait", he said. "Let's go anyway."
"What?! Are you crazy", Hunter asked.
"Oh come on they are all having their afternoon tea by now. We got plenty of time to stroll around there."
"But what if we get caught?"
"What are they gonna do? Throw us overboard. Now come on." He took Thad's hand and pulled him out on the deck. Thad looked back at Hunter and Hunter growled before following. He decided that he liked Sebastian less and less. He was getting them into trouble and he was coming on to Hunter's little buddy and that did not go by well with Hunter. It had always just been him and Thad and Hunter didn't like it when someone tried to nestle their way into their life. Especially not boys like Sebastian that were only after one thing and would leave once they got it. He also really disliked the fact that Sebastian was holding Thad's hand.
Thad gaped in awe as he saw the boat deck and he ran up to the railing and looked at the water. He smiled like a kid on Christmas and looked at the water. He had never seen water as blue as this or anything so beautiful but still scary. There were only water wherever he looked… and on the horizon nothing. He looked over his shoulder and smiled at Hunter and Sebastian.
They were standing side by side, watching him. Thad's smile was big and bright and his gaze were focused on Hunter. Hunter had always been there for him since they were both very young. They had grown up in the same neighborhood and while Hunter was liked and respected Thad wasn't. Thad was small, shy and awkward while Hunter was his complete opposite. If you can imagine a puppy that's been kicked too many times and then was lost in a crowd of strangers then you got Thad when he was a child. Thad was more of a lost puppy these days, when Hunter wasn't around.
Thad let his gaze roam over to Sebastian. Their eyes locked and Sebastian winked at him while smirking. Thad didn't know what to think about the other boy. He was constantly flirting with Hunter and was really kind to him, Thad that is. Was Sebastian being so nice because he knew he'd get Hunter's love if he was? Everyone loved, worshipped and respected Hunter. Everyone wanted to be him or at least be like him. Wherever the duo went it was Hunter that was the one being seen and Thad was okay with that.
He knew Hunter could do great things if he wanted to. Which was why they saved up the money for that ticket. Thad wanted Hunter to go to America because he could excel there and be just as amazing as Thad always pictured him to be. He pictured Hunter as a hero. A soldier, a police officer or a firefighter was what Hunter could be. Thad couldn't be that… he couldn't be anything.
He saw Hunter frown and realized why… the smile had dropped from his face. He hurriedly turned again and looked at the ocean. He stepped up onto the lower bar of the railing to get a better view. At once he felt Hunter move up so he was standing beside him, holding an arm around Thad, for safety's sake. Sebastian came up on Thad's other side and leaned on the railing.
"Hunter", Thad asked.
"Yeah", the taller boy said.
"Do you think that people can remember things like this forever?"
"What things", Hunter asked.
"The feel of the sun on their skin, the feeling of wind in your hair even though all of us are wearing caps… the beauty of the see… the feeling of your friend's arm around you?"
Hunter smiled and pulled Thad close.
"Yes I believe they can if they focus really hard", he said.
"Especially the touch of skin", Sebastian said and took Thad's hand in his. Thad looked at him in confusion and Sebastian smiled at him. Thad smiled back and then returned his gaze to the ocean. Hunter sent a sideway glare at Sebastian who just smirked happily before leaning on the railing and watched the ocean.
They must have been standing there for about an hour already. They just watched the ocean and talked about anything and everything. All the time Hunter had let his arm rest around Thad's shoulders and Sebastian leaned on the railing. As they stood there a young man had come to sit on one of the benches behind them. He was very nicely dressed so they knew he was from first class. When Thad looked over at him the young man smiled and Thad smiled back brightly. Thad turned back to look at the ocean again. He couldn't get enough of it and then he heard a chuckle from beside him.
"You're doing it again", Hunter said.
"Huh what when who how", Thad asked and looked at him. Hunter chuckled again.
"Drawing in the air, just now, you and with your hand", Hunter answered Thad's questions. Thad looked at his hand that was still moving in the air.
"Oh…" he said and Sebastian laughed. Hunter smiled and hugged him a little tighter.
"Hey you three!" an angry voice said and the three boys turned and saw two of the staff members working in the first class.
"What about us", Sebastian asked.
"You are not supposed to be here", one of the men said. "This is for first class and second class only."
"But we are the first class kind of guys", Sebastian said and smirked his most charming smile.
"Uh huh and I'm the king of England", the second man said. "Leave now or we will have to force you." Hunter stepped away from Thad's side and got in between him and the men, blocking Thad from view.
"No", he said.
"Sir I am warning you", the first man said. "Leave now or spend the rest of the time in the arrest."
"Damn it Hunter I told you not to move", a unfamiliar voice said
TBC The changed last names will be explained soon don't worry ;)
Tori - I've had a stalker IRL and you are nothing like he was ;)
Kristal - Oh okay well that's a relief because I'm trying to make this stray as far away from the movie as possible.