Page 16 of Alex
“Alittle,” he replies with a shrug. “I’ve been to the same school my whole life.”
“Well,take it from someone who changed schools two or three times per year, you won’tbe the new kid long. Just join in and act like you know you belong there,because you do.”
“Andyou can call if there are any problems,” Alex adds.
TheDanfield School of Visual and Performing Arts has a wide, sprawling campus. Alight snow covers the grounds and bundled up students rush from one building toanother. The Men’s Dean is waiting for us in the administrative building.
“Mason.”He shakes Mason’s hand. “Good to see you again. This must be Kyle. I’m DeanBradley.”
Kyleextends a hand with just the slightest tremble. “Nice to meet you.”
“Youtoo, son. Now, let’s get you settled in your dorm, then we’ll get your classschedule worked out and give you a tour. You’ll start classes tomorrow.”
Wefollow Dean Bradley across the lawn to a large stone building that looksancient. “This is the Men’s Dorm. You’ll be rooming with Joshua Hufton on thefirst floor. Everyone is at dinner right now, but he’ll be back shortly.” Heopens the door to a spacious sitting room, complete with sofa, television, andan overstuffed chair. A mini fridge and microwave rest on a counter in thecorner and a large T.V. hangs on the wall.
“Thisis the common area you’ll share with Joshua. Your room is on the right.” Kyle’seyes widen when the dean opens the door to an average sized room. It’sfurnished with a full sized bed, dresser, desk, and nightstand. “I hope you’llbe comfortable here.”
“It’sgreat,” Kyle exclaims.
Masonchats with the dean while we get Kyle’s stuff moved in and organized. Wheneverything is set, the dean turns to us. “If you’d like to say goodbye here,I’ll show Kyle where the cafeteria is so he can grab a bite and meet hisroommate.”
“Goodluck,” Mason tells Kyle. “Call us if you need anything.”
Alexhugs him. “Anything,” he adds.
“I’llbe fine,” Kyle laughs, embarrassed by the attention.
“Seeyou Friday.” I slap him on the back, and we make our way to the car.
“Ifeel like we’re abandoning him,” Alex confesses as we pull away, and Masonlaughs.
“He’salmost eighteen years old. He’ll be fine. Wait until you have to drop a sixyear old off at Kindergarten.”
Afew hours later, Alex flops beside me on the couch with a sigh. “It’s tooquiet.” It seems I’m not the only one feeling a void. I got used to having thebrat around.
Iend my video game and switch to Netflix. “He’ll be back next weekend.”
“No,he has to stay the first weekend for some orientation deal.”
“Areyou okay?” I know having Kyle around distracted him from thoughts of Cooper.Kept him busy and his mind focused on other things.
“Fine,”he murmurs, but loneliness creeps into his features.
“Here.”I hand him the remote. “Find a movie and I’ll grab us a beer.”
Afew drinks and two comedies later, he’s in better spirits. Yawning, he hands methe remote. “I’m going to crash.”
“Justturn it off. Linda is on her way for a little late night bang.”
“Whore.”
“Jealous.”
“Somedayyou’ll realize I could suck it so much better,” he laughs.
“Nowhiskers on my nads, dude.”
“Nads,”he snorts, and heads off to bed.
