Chapitre 16: Juice Boxes

The days creeped by ever so slowly. Each day was like the last, and the world that they lived in was relatively, "normal". They ate together, they went to school and learned together. Nothing was different, better, or worse than normal. Allicia still fought off bullies (by knocking a few teeth out), Lucus dealt with constant whispers, good or bad, and Ben was just Ben. Even with the good and the bad, it did feel peaceful. That is, it would be if not for the excitement and fear of the dark passage that loomed on saturday. That day soon came.

The theme of the gala was black and white. Depressingly cliche, but rich people seem to like dull, boring colors.

"Good thing our suits are already black and white." Called Ben, who was getting ready in his room, while Lucus got ready in his bathroom. His bathroom was surprisingly clean. It was polished and marbled with a walk in shower. This is what Ben's bedroom should look like. That is, if he refused to clean up and didn't let the hired help clean either.

"Yeah, I can't imagine the girls who got the email last minute, trying to find a fitting black dress." Lucus laughed and slid on his dress shirt after feeling around for the tag to make sure it was the right side. When they emerged from their dressing areas, Ben gasped dramatically.

"Oh my god." he covered his mouth in a stage whisper. "My little boy has grown into such a handsome young man." he pretended to dry his tears as Lucus punched him in the arm. Ben continued. "Why, it was only yesterday when he was falling into fountains and getting lost in the park." He placed his hand on his heart and looked down, sniffling. He was suppressing an obvious smile."They grow up so fast, don't they." Ben jumped over to Lucus and placed his arm on his shoulder, tousling his hair.

"You ready to go, Ben?" asked Lucus smiling, but attempting to sound annoyed. It didn't work.

"You know you love me." Ben said laughing. He pushed Lucus out the door. They made their way down to the limousine and hopped in the backseat. Lucus was going with Ben. I wonder where his parents are. Thought Lucus, listening intently for the sound of high heels, and swishing ties. There was a divider in the car. It was split down the middle with a door like contraption that seemed to be soundproof. The long car was split up into three different sections. One for them, one unknown compartment, and the driver's seats.

"What's in the other compartment? Are your parents going to meet us there?" asked Lucus curiously. He could tell from the way sounds were bouncing off the room, it was considerably smaller than it should be. It was still rather large. About the size of a bathroom, but the car was much larger. Ben hesitated before answering. "You know, I don't think I've ever met them before."

"They're in the other compartment." He said quickly. Lucus sat down in the car, moving a few items out of the way. They felt like toys. A nintendy switch, an old juice box, and a small comic book. Comic books always did feel different. More ink, and smoother pages. What was weird, Lucus thought, was that nothing seemed to belong to wealthy rich adults. Lucus had sat down next to the divider in the car. It seemed relatively poorly made. He ran his fingers up and down the grooves of metal soldered to the side of the car. He felt the side of the seat cushion. It was patched. Torn, then repaired. They always sat on the side of the car. The driver always opened that door. They always went in on that side. Never the other. The parents were on the other side, but why couldn't Lucus hear them. Soundproof. He thought. Or, they're just really quiet. Lucus had another question.

"Hey, Ben. Why is this side divided off?" It was a risky question. It did seem like Ben was reserved about these kinds of questions, but curiosity got the best of Lucus. "It feels like it was placed there." Ben hesitated once again. Lucus could hear his heartbeat. He couldn't always hear it. Just when it got louder. In a silent car, it did grow louder.

"For… Privacy." Ben laughed it off. "I guess I'm just too annoying!" He smiled a fake smile and clicked on the speaker and TV. "Ya wanna do some karaoke? I know you know all the words already." He clicked over to a Grey Pink song and handed Lucus a microphone. Lucus took it, but then set it down.

"You're not annoying you know." He turned his head toward Ben, like he was really looking at him. He wasn't, but it was the thought that counted. "I can't imagine your parents would find you that way." Lucus picked up a juice box and poked the straw in. He got it on the first try. This one was lychee flavored. Ben looked back at him plaintively, before letting out a bitter laugh.

"You'd be surprised." He stooped over and grabbed a juice box too. It was a simple apple flavor. His words were icy hot, as if he was spitting fire. "Guess it was too hard looking at their failure of a child." He looked down with a solemn smile. There was pain behind it. It was as if a thousand knives were itching to be released.

"You got into the best school in the country. That has to count for something." Lucus pointed out helpfully. He took another sip of lychee juice.

"And not the best in the world. I applied for it, you know." Lucus held his tongue from telling him that he had gotten a full scholarship, but it was too far away. Didn't seem like the right time. "And what have I done from there?" He popped up the flaps of his juice box, but didn't drink from it. Instead, he placed it back on the table where it fell over on a speed bump. "Ya' know what?" He picked up his juice box and threw it in the trash. "Forget about it. Do you wanna play karaoke? I know you memorized all the words." he picked up the remote and turned it back on. Lucus picked up his microphone. Each word seemed like way too much effort was put into it. It sang a song pleading to forget and move on, even though the words meant nothing of the sort. Lucus flashed a fake smile for Ben, and sang too. It wasn't long before they arrived at the Gala.