CHAPTER 49. PARTING WAYS
It wasn't long after that Sebb enlisted in the army in hopes to make money the only way he knew how, with his muscle. He didn't expect James to understand. He anticipated the begging and pleading, like a brat, the little brat that James Moriarty always would be in Sebastian's eyes. Sebastian made his way across the large campus, ignoring the suspicious glances, he knew James's room number from a letter he'd received a while back.
Finally he found himself standing in front of the door to Jim's room. Giving a nervous knock, feeling out of place in his jeans and black hoodie. Some twerp with a glassy gaze answered the door, and Sebastian thought he was in the wrong place.
"Yeah?"
"Sorry, I was looking for James."
"You mean Jim?" Sebastian's eyes narrowed on the stranger, he was wearing a pair of dress slacks and a buttoned up shirt, looking disheveled, disheveled and high.
"I mean James Moriarty. He here?"
"Roger darling who is it? I'm busy and you're making noise get out."
"I think it's one of the dealers boss. He looks a bit rough. He isn't one of the Cambridge boys that's for sure." Sebastian's fists clinched. He pushed past the idiot.
"James, what in the hell?" he stood in the dorm room, it wasn't messy, everything neatly placed, a well made bed, a large screen television dominated the corner with what looked like a few video game boxes. A leather couch, worn with use but not age. And finally a small table near the window cluttered with chemistry equipment. Except it wasn't exactly a chemistry project. Sebastian knew the smell knew from growing up with an addict, a drug dealer and a murderer what that smell was.
"Best get out Roger." James stood up slowly, eyes on his friend.
"You sure boss?" the kid in the tie took a protective step closer and Sebastian squared up, causing that kid to gulp nervously, but drugs do make you brave so he stood his ground.
"You heard him, get the fuck out of here." Sebb took a step forward, a small hand halted his actions.
"Now Sebbs, good minions are hard to find, don't beat up the best one I have."
"Roger, take that next shipment out. And I want to interview that new kid you've recruited what's the name again. The secondary school kid um Franny?"
"Frankie, boss."
"Right, bring young Franklin here. Now get out. I have business." The younger boy nodded backing out slowly and shutting the door behind him. Sebastian turned on James grabbing him by the collar of his white button up shirt, taking note of the gray suit jacket it looked expensive. Something more than a kid on an orphans pension could afford.
"Drug dealing? Is that what you're learning here?" Sebb gave James a little shake. The boys eyes wide clutching at the fists that bunched up his shirt.
"Release me!" He demanded, Sebastian dropped him down, only to pull back the sleeves of the jacket, ripping the cuffs of the white shirt underneath, he was searching for marks, for scars.
"What do you care. Let go! Ugh! This is Westwood!" the younger boy growled pulling free, running his hands over his shirt and straightening his Jacket. "Look at you so angry." He grinned his dark eyes dancing, chest heaving from the struggle. "Is daddy gonna hit me?" he stuck his bottom lip out in a pout and God help him, Sebb did want to give him a good smack.
"James, drugs? You're smarter than this!"
"Keep your voice down you idiot. Don't worry I'm not taking them. I'm too intelligent for that. Drugs are boring after a while, anyway. Don't look so disappointed Sebastian. I started a little business and it's starting to flourish. These rich kids do like their nose candy. And It's my own formula."
"You'll get caught and they'll expel you. I thought you were doing math!"
"No, don't worry Sebby darling. I've got them all under my thumb. And maths class is getting boring. They have me working with new group of imbeciles-"
"Do you? Do you really James or is this like the little science project you had in the shed? Is this going to almost kill you?"
"Oh you would bring that up. And how were you so sure I wasn't trying to?" James grinned madly, shrugging he moved his eyes from the blond.
"James-" Sebastian didn't know what to say to that.
"Why are you here Sebastian? Oh, and I see you got the watch I sent you! Isn't it-" James stopped speaking his eyes narrowing he took a step towards his surrogate brother. "Why are you here? What's happened? You're going away? You've come here to tell me, personally." Damn James and his ever so observant eyes.
"James. I'm -"
"No." James moved closer, his grin manic, he stared up at his friends eyes. Trying to read them, hold them change what was about to be said, because it was going to be upsetting.
"James, stop. Listen. I've joined the army, in fact I'm due for boot camp. I just wanted to stop in-"
"No!" he propelled himself at Sebastian pushing into his chest "NO! You can't leave! NO!"
"James. You are being childish. You still have some time here, I'm sure by the time I get out you'll have several certificates and stuff claiming you are a right genius. One who can get a job doing shit anywhere. You'll be a consultant for some bank or prime minister. I don't know. You still have all the time to figure it out. I'm getting in early so I can maybe make a career out the army. You don't need me. " Sebastian could see his words taking affect, he felt a chill in the room. James was taller this time around, more naturally lean, always a finicky eater but he at least ate something.
"You're right." He straightened his suit, looking down at his friend. "You're right Sebastian. I wont be needing your services any longer." Sebastian rolled his eyes always with the dramatics this one.
"I'll keep in touch. I have your address and your email. I wont be able to write right away, but I will. And whatever money I get I'll send you some. I don't want you dealing. You were supposed to come here and learn something." There was a gleam in the boy's eyes now, his jaw set.
"I have. I've learned a bit. Swimming in a pool with bigger fish has taught me many things. Things your tiny little brain could never comprehend."
"Alright. Just be smart. Only idiots get caught. At least tell me you are maintaining a low profile."
"You're an idiot Sebastian Moran. And I hate you. I hate you! Get out! Leave! Never speak to me again!"
Sebastian nodded and he left, knowing James he never stayed mad at him at least, longer than a few hours. The longest had been a week, but that hadn't been his fault entirely. Carl and his little gang had got the jump on Sebastian, he ended up in the hospital and James would have followed had he not come down with a mysterious stomach illness that landed him in the same hospital. Crazy little bastard, but Sebastian knew that James couldn't follow not this time.