Hope and Dreams part 12
#12 of h+D
Issac woke up in his temp room, the alarm on the radio buzzing and buzzing until Issac turned over groaning, hitting the button. It was weird not waking up to the same smells, atmosphere and bed as he had in recent years, but to be honest, he could barely remember the atmosphere of the good days before the drinking so it made little difference saying the past years, it might as well have been his entire life.. The dog sat up, stretching, why did this whole mess seem like a dream? The perfect guy, the boat, the rejection and the other perfect guy. Sure most love stories weren't homo, didn't have drunk mothers off to rehab, or shy football stars, but that aside this just seemed so....unlikely. Issac laughed to himself, the only thing missing was his stable family and the lights striking the right guy as angels sung.
But like hell that was actually happening. Issac got dressed, his cloths the only thing that felt like home. Sadly he didn't think about his mother since Jeromy's confrontation in the locker room, and before that her 'condition' hadn't bothered him in the least. But his cloths made him think of her, the smells and familiar feel, the homely comfort, even if that's a stretch. Issac grabbed his book bag, making a mental note to save a shirt or two that avoid the wash until his dorming time was over.
Breakfast was eggs and toast. For some reason Mrs. Cowell was already up and cooking. She was just as peppy, sporting sweats and a sweatshirt. She told Issac how she jogged every morning to stay fit as she filled his plate.
"Every morning?" Issac asked in disbelief, eating some of his eggs, and going for the toast. It had been a while before the Cowells that Issac had had a good sit down breakfast. "At what time exactly? it's pretty early now."
"Pish posh, 6:30 is nothing, my jog starts at five and i need to eat, get dressed and get my water bottle." she laughed, "Vincent used to get up with me when he was the twins age, and those two sleep in rather late for youngsters, so I fly solo."
"What about Mr. Cowell?" Isaac questioned, "he seems like the type to go for a jog. Very sporty."
"He should." She said "But his idea of 'sporty' is the gym, and even then, very little cardio." She giggled, "Easily winded." She offered, trying hard failing to cover up that she meant in bed.
Vincent crawled into the kitchen,"Ewwwww." He moaned, "Why would you say it like that and so early?!" he asked. He sat down for the eggs and looked over at Issac eat until he got his food. "How was your sleep?"
"Good." Issac said robotically, "It's just weird waking up to not my room." he added.
Not much else was said until Mrs. Cowell went off a list of stuff they needed to have including their lunches and book bags. "Vincent is a very forgetful one, especially in the morning." Mrs. Cowell teased.
"If my head wasn't screwed on." Vincent smiled, heading out the door. "The coffee shop." Vincent reminded Isaac, I a slurred, half-awake voice.
"I thought you were the forgetful one." Issac teased. A few minutes of not so awkward morning quiet later and Issac got out for his coffee, his funds running dangerously low. "Hey Issac." Karrie, the morning girl, greeted. She had been sick the last few days but apparently got better. She had his usual ready for him. She was a short, slightly stocky opossum, with a puck rock kinda feel to her even in a blue work apron. Her piercings and white and black fur just screamed that she could kick your ass if you messed with her.
"Hey shorty, gotten better?" he took his already ready coffee from the counter "I see you remember my usual."
"The flu won't make me forget a regular, especially not unique ones like you. And don't forget you're a shorty too!" she accused, pointing a finger.
Issac held up his hands in defeat, "You got me." he put the money on the counter, "Hey, are there any job openings?" Issac asked timidly. "You've missed a lot; my mom got forced into rehab and I'm living with none other than Vincent Cowell."
Her jaw dropped, "Star quarterback? Do you even follow football?"
"I don't need too; he isn't all about football you know." He said in a taunting voice that screamed, 'I know more about your crush then you.'
"That's so not fair!" she whined, hitting her head on the counter, then looking up "sorry about your mom and all..."
"Don't be." Issac said casually, Karrie was one of the few people he actually talked to about his problems, she was his shoulder to cry on when his mother wasn't, and his only vent at all before the gym.
"Don't say it like that, you love her." Karrie said, "But more on Vincent. Do you like him?" she asked, aware he was bi, and also bi herself, so completely understanding.
"Well...." Issac said, "First the job."
Karrie made a face, "Well actually we don't for any hours that will work with you, hey you still actually doing the gym?" she looked out the window, "And what happened to your car, not that his isn't an awesome ride."
Issac dropped his head and walked over to the creamers. "Umm, my rust bucket broke down and got towed, i need the job for money to pay for that and rent, yes I'm still doing the gym, and," he came back over to the counter for a stirrer, "Yes i did like Vincent, but he isn't bi or gay or whatever." The dog frowned, his next sentence just spewing out in morning fog "But shockingly enough, there's this wolf that came outta nowhere and he is totally obsessed with me."
Karrie smiled, "You like him too."
Issac blushed a little, "I don't know him enough yet and why does everyone i know think i like him as soon as i bring it up?" again the words just flew out.
Karrie smiled a knowing smile, "Sorry about the car, but go for this wolf, what's his name?"
"Nathan." Issac said, taking his first sip of coffee.
"Strong. Yeah go for it. I mean if you're sure Vincent doesn't like you THAT way."
"He said so himself." Issac said. "Right after he kissed me he said it didn't suit him."
Karrie rolled her eyes, "You guys are such idiots. No man knows what he wants, let alone under pressure! God you're so dense. He might like you but be confused."
Issac's mood darkened, "Don't give me any more hope. Please don't." he didn't want to end on these terms but also didn't want to keep talking.
Karrie nodded, "sorry, good luck, and if we get an opening you'll be the first to know."
"Thanks." Issac managed, leaving in a gloom cloud.
"No job?" Vincent asked as Issac got in the car, "Don't be so broken up about it, Nathan said something about work right?"
"Right." Issac said quietly, taking another drink, his mind fluttering to a fluffy white wolf in his near future.
Not only did Nathan have work for Issac, he had transportation, offering to drive the dog with him after school to the store until Issac needed to be at the gym. "I'll even join you guys. But umm, when will you get your work done?"
Issac shrugged, "ill either have to do it at night, or skip the gym. Hopefully the first one though." He added, taking the last sip of his coffee, remembering his newly formed muscles and waving Vincent off as the two headed to first period, throwing the cup in the trash. "What kind of store does your dad own?"
Nathan smiled, "That's a surprise." he pulled the dog in close to him by the shoulder as he did in the locker rooms yesterday, getting a mixed result. Isaac felt weird about it, not really in the mood, he shook off the shoulder a little and realized that Nathan loved him for who he was. Bi wasn't an issue for him. Why it completely clicked at that moment was a mystery, but it made Issac embraced the contact, loving the loving contact of such a beautiful being, and even put his arm around Nathan's waist.
Nathan looked down with a smile, it was confused but it was still that all knowing grin somehow. "So do you like me yet?" he teased.
Issac smiled, "Yes, but love comes latter, let's see if your my type, apparently we will be seeing more of each other." it was bolder then Issac dared go before, but it felt good and in place that he be bold with this prime example of boldness.
"That we will." Nathan smiled looking up at the classroom door, "But unfortunately we won't get through their side by side without looking stupid."
Issac laughed, Nathan seemed to find it so easy to do so, but for Issac all these happy and laughable moments were very notable in his personal history. He had never had much of a reason to laugh presently, but apparently now he did. His mind flashed back to when his mom tried to make him happy, not 4 years ago. She was smiling, her breath was minty fresh, her enthusiasm was never ending. Isaac tried not to think about it at the risk of tears. He was such a jerk to her. She tried so hard, and he just wanted that dad he never knew. He asked about the man, but she reflected the question like a mirror no matter what. When the drinking started, it was more of yelling at Isaac about how he was ungrateful, that he thought she wasn't enough.; and then they sort of stopped talking about much.
It was scary how so many negative thoughts flew at him through one memory, in only a few seconds. It showed Issac how truly easy it was to be sad. But he took his seat, the wolf just to his left. Their eyes met, making Issac look away in slight embarrassment, the opposite of before happening, in the next few seconds he was filled with hope. He just prayed these hopes were kinder in the end.
Nathan took a certain joy in watching the bear walk away from them earlier. It seemed symbolic when Issac actually responded to his own touch with a touch. It was very precious and delicate, but it was there. Nathan couldn't ruin this now, he knew he had to play it cool and slow if he wanted this to really work out. He honestly liked Vincent, but he felt an instant connection to the runty dog. He didn't want to hurt Vincent, but his need to have Issac was more powerful.
Obsessive? Maybe, but he hid it with a smile.
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Issac felt weird leaving school right after classes ended with Nathan. His car was nothing special, but it worked unlike Issac's, and it had a back seat for their bags so Issac didn't complain. The dog had texted Vincent that he would meet him at the gym with the wolf to see if it would work out; still, Issac had no idea of where he was going, and no idea how to check out Nathan for anything negative. Obviously he wasn't going to spill all his negatives to the one he was trying to impress.
"So where are we headed?" Issac asked, looking out the window, trying not to seem too interested even though the question had been gnawing at him all day.
"My dad's work" Nathan responded, still giving nothing away, his smile was accompanied by his paw gripping Issac leg lightly "Relax, it's nothing crazy. don't you trust me?" he said mimicking a hurt expression.
Issac turned, grinning big and stupid, looking up a Nathan, his eyes closed. "Of course i do, I'm just curious. And puppy dog eyes aren't fair." He complained.
Nathan looked ahead, " All's fair in love and war Issac, you should know that. And to throw another one out there, curiosity killed the cat."
"I'm a dog." Issac responded, "I'm much smarter."
Nathan nodded, and turned on the radio. "You like Damascus?" Nathan asked.
"It's a classic, i don't think anyone doesn't like them." Issac said as a matter of fact-ly. "Their pretty good, but i like Iron Side or Kings of Xion more. Or if I'm in an angry mood, some metal."
Nathan turned sharply, "Metal?! really?" he shrugged, "Umm, wow. To each their own i guess. Oh you'll love my dad, i see a lot of arguments in the future. He's a BIG classic rock, normal rock," he made a measuring it out wave of the hands "uhhh.....anything that isn't screamo metal, death impossible-to-hear-the-words music." he said with a laugh.
Issac joined him "It's an acquired taste. so we'll be listening to music i take it." Isaac noted, trying to figure it out, but it could simply imply a radio in the place.
Nathan smiled, "Umm yeah, you can say that defiantly." Issac didn't like, and yet loved Nathans all knowing thing, he was cocky, but confident. In control, yet not hovering and bossy.
"Oh my god, tell me where we're going or I'm gonna cry." Issac whined, just as they turned into a parking lot. Issac looked up, but Nathan covered his eyes with his paws. "Let go! You suck!" Issac laughed, trying to throw the massive paw off his face.
"Fine" Nathan said, letting go and parking. Issac looked up at the signs. They were in a plaza, multiple stores and a wide variety at that. Issac turned to Nathans smug face as the wolf turned the car off. "You're not getting walked to the door until your blindfolded." Issac could feel his face fall into disbelief.
"Your ridiculous." Issac said covering his eyes and opening the door. "Fine lead on." Issac heard the door shut and felt Nathans paws cover his eyes and lead him forward. "You suck remember that."
"And your adorable remember that." Nathan whispered in Issac ear. "Almost there, relax."
Issac heard a door open, and a bell ring. Nathan removed his paw, they were in a small hallway that was cheaply decorated, and had only one door at the end. "Just open the door." Nathan pushed.
Issac took a tentative step forward, the hallway seeming impossibly long with anticipation, turning the knob. As soon as he turned it music could be heard playing loud and proud. Issac walked in and stopped still. It was a music store. Records, CDs, instruments, stereos, and other odds and ends like posters, headphones and mp3 player cases and even fog machines. It was a large space, without windows so it was lit by stage lights. In the back behind the counter a grey wolf with piercings, reading a magazine and bobbing his head to the music playing, not looking up.
"Dad!" Nathan called over the music, walking in and shutting the door, pushing Issac forward. The wolf looked up, smiling and closing the magazine.
"So your Issac," Nathan's dad said, holding out his paw, "William Vector," Issac took the paw, shaking it. The wolfs eyes matching his sons, his complexion making him appear no more then 27, but his voice was gruff and full of experiences.
"Issac Howell. Thanks you sir for letting me work here. I love this place already." Issac smiled.
Nathans dad laughed out loud a hysterical and seemingly unending cackle. "Oh wow." he managed, a tear coming to his eye which he wiped away. "'Sir', that's great." Nathan was smiling to, holding back a laugh with one paw. William hopped out from behind the counter, wearing ripped jeans, a band tee shirt, boasting a body as muscled and fine as Nathan's. "Do i look like a sir to you?" he asked smiling. "But thanks for the respect. Heh, maybe i should earn that first though ay? I mean come on, I'm a grown man and I'm doing this." he motioned to the store.
Issac was....shocked, to say the least. He had expected a simple greeting, not a breakdown of his greeting and how inappropriate it was. Honestly Issac was also impressed with him, like a philosopher or something. He knew what he was doing and why he did it, careful but happy in being so. Issac respected him already, but decided not to go into it. "Ok then, thank you..... MR. Vector?"
They both smiled, "Issac he's just messing with you, he really doesn't care, relax, and you." he said, pointing at his dad, "Stop it, that's so not fair."
Mr. Vector put up his hands in defeat, "Fine fine, and welcome to the store. You'll be doing odd jobs like sorting the CD's and stuff. I'll get you some papers." he went back behind the counter and pulled out simple job application papers, and a pen. Issac signed, filled it out, and handed it in. "Now that the official crap is out the window," He continued, putting the papers on the counter and turning the stereo outward toward the store, opening the disk tray, "pardon my language, let's get to work. Pick a cd and put it in. i have to see if you have good tastes."
Issac looked confused, "Really?"
"Umm, yeah. This is pretty important." he waved his paw toward the cd shelves, "Pick."
Issac looked toward Nathan who waved his paw the same way and walked away to the far back of the store.
Issac felt weird again, like he was back at Vincent's intruding, this was the most laid back job ever. Mr. Vector was awesome! He seemed completely incapable of responsibility. But he was awesome all the same, he completely reminded Issac of Squall. Issac looked through the shelves, selecting four of his favorites, and bringing them back for judgment. To raise his chances of getting positive judgment, Issac picked from multiple genres. He put the first one in, Mr. Vector turning around and nervously as he hit play. The disk could be heard scanning before some classic rock came on, gently at first with a drum line that got the two tapping and slightly jumping/dancing around.
"Yeah......nice choice." Mr. Vector said, stopping the stereo and removing the disk, "now stop sucking up, you obviously don't like this. you're not doing that thing with you ear." he put in another disk.
Issac made a confused look, "What ear thing? And Sun-Dried Station is pretty good."
"But not your favorite, and umm, Nathan was right, when you like something your left ear twitches a little. It happened when you walked in." he noted, lazily, Chorus for the Damned shot on, and with Issac paying full attention he twitched his ear and started to sway.
"Metal!? oh god!" he turned it off, "I see why you sucked up." Nathan walked in with a new shirt and some cola. "He's a metal head?!"
Nathan smiled, "I guess."
Issac blushed a little, "We'll have to work on that." Mr. Vector said turning to Issac again, "We have a while, you're hired of course." Then he pulled Isaac close and whispered, "Thank you, I haven't seen Nathan this happy, and with good company in a while."
And just as fast as he had been pulled in, Will pushed him forward, "Nathan get the new stuff from the back! Stack shelves my worker monkeys!" He put a few boxes on the counter and opened them up, "Stack!!"
Isaac couldn't not laugh, and went about doing his job.