[ youngest son ; maple & shades & losers ]

[Maple ♥]

Belle Dupree:

    Belle just closed her eyes, listening to their beating hearts and thinking of all things and no things all at once. She wasn't quite sure how she felt about James, but she did know there was something. More than what she'd ever hoped for, more than she'd ever wanted. But also not knowing what she wanted or needed or whatever else flowed through her deeply swimming brain full of thoughts and emotions for this one boy she'd met only a few weeks ago. 

    She heard someone somewhere else in the house, and sighed with a slight smile, eyes still shut. "I have to go before we get caught," she said simply, though he body made no movements to actually do what she said, too comfortable, too happy. 

[shades]

James Skyes ; ;

Smiling lightly, James made no move to release Belle. Even though he heard what must be his mother or father get out of bed. His grip was firmly around Belle’s waist, not wanting to get out into the cold; his mind swimming with loving and happy emotions. James hearing the sound of a door open and click shut from across the hall, leaving him to wonder whether or not it was mom or dad, or if they even would bother checking on them both in the morning.

[Maple ♥]

Belle Dupree:

    She murmured with a content sigh, smiling. "I should go..." but she didn't move. 

    Lauren was just waking up, scratching her back as she began stepping down the stairs of their house. When she glanced at the door of the guest room, it was open, so she thought Belle might be awake. She wouldn't mind talking with the girl, she liked her enough. But when her eyes landed on the kitchen area of her house from her spot on the steps, she noticed the girl wasn't there either. Thinking she'd gone home early, Lauren thought she'd get a head start on the sheets of the guest room, moving to walk into it and past James door when she stopped, hearing a female voice. Her throat tightened, her eyes narrowed, she pressed her ear to the door, waiting for some sort of evidence that her suspicions were correct.

    "We could get caught," Lauren heard Belle's distinct voice, her eyes widening. Instead of dealing with it herself, which she would probably do so by stabbing the girl, she turned back to her own bedroom door and woke Bastian up with a shove of his shoulder. "Bastian. The girls' in James' room," she told him angrily, robe flaring out around her. 

[shades]

James Skyes ; ;

James shrugged his shoulders, uncaring of his parents at the moment. They weren’t doing anything wrong, technically, just laying around on his bed and sleeping. “Doesn’t matter.” He spoke softly, looking down at her; unwilling to get up but he sat up anyways, still holding her in his arms.

He wasn’t a morning person, Bastian blinking open a green orb. “She woke up and visited him before breakfast?” He said groggily, rolling over in his shirt and sweatpants; looking his wife up and down. He was tired, so naturally Bastian was slow on the uptake. “Why?” Bastian asked blearily.

[Maple ♥]

Belle Dupree:

    Belle still rested against his chest as he sat up, her cheek pressed to the soft fabric of his t-shirt. "You're right," she admitted, just breathing quietly and running her fingers over his stomach. 

    Lauren put her hands on her hips. "Bastian, they could be doing stuff. We never let Drew have boys in her room alone, with the door closed," she said indifferently. "And I didn't think we had to do this and God I don't want to have to but it might be time to talk to James about..." she gave Bastian a look like 'you know what I mean'.

[shades]

James Skyes ; ;

“Alright, alright.” Bastian flopped out of bed, giving the ever early riser David a small nod as he knocked on James’s door. “James? Are you alone in there?” He opened the door a small crack; peeking in and noticing the duo hugging each other on the bed. Feeling Lauren next to him, he had to put on ‘parently act’ and use a stern face. Thankfully, Bastian and Lauren had aged a bit and weren’t the ‘young couple’ anymore.

James looked up at his parents guiltily, blue eyes begging; glad he wasn’t laying down at least.

Bastian really didn’t want to give his son the talk, because it probably would end up being him doing it. Because it would be a man to man thing.

[Maple ♥]

Belle Dupree:

    Hearing his father's voice, Belle winced and sat up slowly, not wanting to offend James but also not wanting him to get in trouble. Parents all reacted differently to these kinds of situations, and she didn't want to be caught up in it if they decided to take it out on her. 

    Lauren stood behind Bastian, peaking over his shoulder with a strict look on her face as well, then deciding to just move in first because she was too protective. "I think it might be best if you leave, Belle," she said softly, though stern, and watching the girl rather than her sons begging eyes. She had to be a parent first, friend second. God she sounded like her own mother growing up. 

    Belle's throat tightened guiltily as she slid from the bed, glancing at James sorrily before standing to leave the room. Lauren let her past, then moved back into the spot once Belle was in the other room changing out of the pajamas she wore and back into her clothes from the night before. Lauren gave Bastian a pointed look, pointing with her finger at James before stepping out of the room and closing the door behind her. Of course she turned right back around and pressed her ear to the door, mentally laughing because she'd put Bastian up to this. 

[shades]

Bastian Skyes ; ;

Bastian looked helpless, giving his son the same look they inherited when pleading. James had curled up without Belle and was tapping once again. His green orbs trailed to the door, trying to think of how his father gave him the talk when he was younger than James. Sitting on the young man’s bed. “James, I think it’s time we talked about you and Belle and your actions.”

Noticing the quizzical look he got, Bastian cleared his throat. “You see, girls and guys work well together. And their bodies do. You might have noticed you feeling hotter near her, and uh, more awkward than usual…” He tugged on his shirt, James giving him the most puzzled look.

What was his father talking about? Boys and girls working well together? But his father did have a stretch of truth. James felt his hands wringing where he sat on his bed, blue eyes looking around absently.

“And uh, when you get naked it’s this thing called ‘sex’ and it’s the unity of a man and a woman,” Bastian bit his tongue to stop from mention ‘man and man’ because gosh. His son was raped and now he had to worry about the autistic teen having sex with the girl he liked? Bastian looked at the boy’s freckles on his face, feeling like a hypocrite because he and his wife never listened to this talk either.

James just stared ahead, feeling his face enflamed.

Bastian continued, “and it’s unsafe sometimes. Diseases and unplanned pregnancy, particularly if you don’t use protection; but we don’t want you having sex until after marriage, James, if you can help it. It’s natural, and we won’t blame you for your mistakes if you do, but we do want you and Belle to be safe.” He leaned over to put his hand on his son’s knee, noticing the boy had a slight look of horror on his face. Moving closer, trying to keep the calm and panic out of his voice because God the sex talk was the most awkward thing ever.

“And being close to a girl like that, in bed, might make your body react and urge you to have sex, or maybe peer pressure might tell you it is okay. You might feel your um, body parts tell you things and uh…” Bastian leaned closer to whisper it in his son’s ear, man-to-man. Because Bastian knew his wife was listening. And some things just had to be told to a boy without his mom knowing, though Lauren from groping and experience exactly what happened downstairs in Bastian’s body.

James had a look of flushed horror, his mouth parting into a ‘o’ shape, cheeks red. Finally he spluttered out, “dad!” His tapping increasing and his wringing continuing. “It’s not like that.” The young man whispered, looking down.

“We know, but we want you to know before making choices like this with Belle.” With a friendly pat, the older man and father slipped off his son’s bed and out of his room. Nearly ramming into Lauren on his way out, blurry vision, and still tired. Rubbing his eyes, yawning, he moved off to take a shower before one of the girls decide to use up the hot water with it.

[Maple ♥]

Belle Dupree:

    ~ Three Months Later ~

    Belle was tired, and upset. But she never really let it show. Her eyes cradled large bags underneath them and her skin had become a florescent pale color, replacing her usual tan, clear skin. Her hair was a bit of a mess though she tried to make it look presentable enough so no one took notice to her; it was hard, because of her popularity everyone seemed to stare and it made her skin itch. Constantly she was tugging down her sleeves and making sure none of the remnants of Tj's hits showed. 

    She couldn't let anyone, not even James, know about Tj's hitting. 

    It started after a few weeks of dating. She'd been head over heels for the rich, private enrolled, tall dark and handsome Tj Woods. He was smart, top of his class, and a very well known football player on his team. Everyone seemed to like him, but he didn't attend East High, so how could Belle have met such a 'wonderful' person? Her father. Mr. Dupree thought that investing his daughter into the time of Tj's would make her life well. Money, support, education, whatever she needed, Mr. Dupree knew Tj could supply it for her. Of course no one, not even Belle, had thought the shining star himself was really a monster deep down. And a psycho one at that. 

    Belle moved to walk into the library, curling the sweatshirt sleeves of her shirt into her fingers and making sure not to have eye contact with anyone. Today was the only day she didn't se Tj, and so she chose to go to the library instead of practicing dance at home where people could see her and the secret she was hiding. She moved to the back couches, making sure to scan the area for anyone she knew and then finally curled her legs into herself, shuddering out a breath. 

    She was lonely. 

    And the only person she wished she could see was banned from her, ripped from her grasp before she could even tell him that she loved him. She did. Belle did love James. But there was no way it was mutual, like Tj had screamed at her. There was no way a special needs person could love her back, just like Tj had yelled with a smack to her cheek. There was no way she could still see him if she wanted to keep him safe because Tj would hurt him, also said with a slight kick to the shin. Belle didn't realize she'd been imaging all these things and her whole body was shaking horribly in the library chair. At least now she knew she was safe, because Tj would never go to the library let alone into down town. Belle eyes seemed to glaze over as she got lost in her thoughts, not noticing anyone or anything around her as she tried to stop herself from breaking down completely. Can't draw attention. Can't show everyone what's really wrong. She can't tell them because Tj threatened to kill the only person she'd ever loved romantically and friend wise. 

    Belle got up roughly from her seat and began to walk briskly towards the non-fition section where she'd first met James. Maybe she could find some comfort in the pages around there, reminding her of the good times she'd had with the boy. 

[shades]

James Skyes ; ;

To say he hadn’t fallen into a depression would be an understatement because for James, loosing Belle was one of the worst things possible. He had been reassured she would never leave him, and he had stupidly believe it. His diet had failed, his hair fell into its own floppy mess on his head, his parents were worried and angry at the same time; knowing the reason and yet not wanting to address the issue.

It was Belle’s life, and she didn’t want to be stuck on the slow path with James Skyes, an autistic boy who had trouble functioning when he was out of oatmeal on a weekday.

He wasn’t thrown off too much though in daily functioning; his tapping returned to find the beat of the world around him, and he went through days like those without Belle. He could see her, looks and glances at school, but knowing he couldn’t touch wasn’t work the heart-wrenching glance.

Today, like usual, James was stacking books in the library. By numbers and colors, then putting them away. His fingers wrapped around large and small books, the sound of them clacking together with each stack a beat in itself. And when he picked them up, his fingers tapped lightly on the binding. Blue eyes would scan the shelves, knowing by heart and mind where each number was but still James liked to find out-of-place books and put them back.

Casually, James would pull a book out as he walked by, adding to the stack and shuffling on one knee to place it correctly in place.

Then they just stopped. Everything apart of James couldn’t move, the sadness in his eyes increasing as the silent boy gazed upon the girl who left him. There was no tapping, because instantly he knew his heart picked up the beat for him when Belle was near.

He gulped down a hesitant and shaky breath, moving with quiet feet towards the table near a shelf where he had to put a book and just hope; pray, that his Belle would talk to him, or smile at him, at least.

For him.

[Maple ♥]

Belle Dupree:

    Keeping her head down, Belle didn't realize she was walking towards James until her usually non-clumsy ballerina shoes stumbled along with her body into him, sending books flying from his arms onto the floor. Her hair was in her face, still not knowing who or what she ran into, but just focusing on picking up the books messily and hoping, praying that she didn't have to stay and talk long with this person. "I'm sorry," she mumbled, stacking the last books unorderly and glancing up at the person she'd bumped into, eyes widening a bit, sweatshirt/cardigan sleeve slipping off of her collar bone to reveal to large green and blue bruises that almost touched they were so close together. Like multiple punches had been thrown into the same spot. Her breathing seemed to stop as she noticed her sweet, beautiful James looking down at her crouched position; it broke her heart that she had just left him. 

    If she thought about it, she'd break down. She had to remember why she couldn't be with him. Why she couldn't see him. She had to project him. her James. He was in danger if they were together. 

    Too late she realized she'd just been staring sadly and her shoulder had been exposed. Blushing, she pulled it back into place tightly over her chest and stood up, trying to remember to breathe though it was just so damn hard. Not meaning to, she bit her lips and cleared her throat, arms crossed over her chest. "I-uh, hi," she said it quietly, blue-green eyes scanning the floor rather than him. She hoped that maybe his 'special' brain wouldn't be able to decipher anything different about her, and she couldn't stay long or her broken heart might shatter completely. "I shouldn't be here, James." Once again, said very softly, not wanting to look at him because it would make her cry. Oh how dreadfully awful her life had become in just a few short months. But it was okay, she didn't care what happened to her. Only that James was safe. 

[shades]

James Skyes ; ;

Looking down at her sadly, James noticed the bruises. And bruises reminded him of the doctor who told him it would make him better, or the school bullies, and both things he didn’t want for Belle. Bending down, his mind didn’t think about the books or the beat, merely a hand pressed to where he saw the bruise. James knew his Belle was never bullied, beat up, or anything of the likes; unless it was that rare time to help him. She had Matty to protect her, the school knew Belle was off limits to the bruises.

But why did she have them now?

Swallowing down his own lumps in his throat, “do you have an Andrew too?” He asked, Andrew being his mother’s (he learned through the whispers of the walls) and his tormentor. So, obviously, all doctors who tell you it’ll make you better are an ‘Andrew’ in Jame’s mind. His blue gaze looking to her, one finger lifting up her chin.

So sad and hurt, he wanted to make better and usually when Belle made things better she kissed them. He didn’t know whether or not it would make her better and make her stay. But it was a risk he had to take, James pressing his lips to his sweet Belle’s for the first time ever, because she was usually the one who kissed him. And James had to make her better.

[Maple ♥]

Belle Dupree:

    Obviously she didn't regret his kiss, stepping into it with a pained expression, her whole body shuddering and throat itching with the urge to cry. To tell him everything that was happening. To let him hold her while she cried and told him about how Tj hit her and abused her verbally and physically. To just let everything go, to not hide from the only person who'd ever trusted her and whom she'd loved more than herself. 

    But that was why she couldn't do those things. Because she loved James more than herself, and had to protect him. 

    Not forcefully, just horribly sadly, Belle used her hand to push James' shoulder away from her softly, lips departing and leaving her to feel cold. Her head dropped int defeat, breathing heavily and shaking her head, trying not to cry. If she cried, she'd have to have a reason and she couldn't tell him. "I'm sorry James," she croaked out, gaze flicking up to his, broken, glazed with unshed tears, sad. So unbelievably sad. She was a horrible person, hurting him like this, being so rejectful when all she wanted to do was love him. Pressing her lips together, her voice was very emotional, "I shouldn't be here," her lip trembled and she had to take a deep breath to hold back the tears. 

    "The bruises are nothing," she lied, swallowing down the lump in her throat which in fact never went away, ever, lately. "I just got clumsy," she stared at the floor and the books and anywhere else but his eyes, deep pools of real and lovingness that Belle longed for more than anything else in the whole entire world. She just wanted him.

    But she couldn't have him and keep him safe at the same time. 

[shades]

James Skyes ; ;

He knew it, she was going to leave him again. His Belle, she wanted to let him live life on the slow path alone. Maybe James would ask his mom and dad if he could go to a hospital and this time, check in for good. Because it sure was better than being self-destructive and lonely, James Skyes knew eventually he would fall into an unhealthy state and then he would be forced to go to somewhere.

Eyebrows furrowed sadly, James began stacking the books again; by number and color. The steady sound of cover slapping cover, anger coursing through his veins. Because he couldn’t have Belle and she wouldn’t have him; so the bitterness began to settle in his mind as James quickly stood up without another glance and left her there.

His mind was already processing a life without Belle, re-writing her out for good.

But even it couldn’t forget the impact on him it had.

[Maple ♥]

Belle Dupree:

    Belle opened her mouth, fingers raising to touch him but he was already gone, stepping out of her sight and her life. Her heart wanted to shatter but it was too numb to do much more than function. So she hugged herself tightly and turned on her heel, moving out of the library quickly, deciding there really was no where safe she could go to get away from her problems. Numbly, she stepped out of the brick building with her sweatshirt pulled tightly around her and one single tear slipping down her cheek. 

    She'd just lost the only thing that had ever happened to her. 

    And though she knew it was for the better, she still felt sick and numb and horribly dead inside.