Mikal bent his head over the text in front of him and sighed. He wondered if he'd ever understand all the terms used to describe what writer's did when they put pen to paper. He doubted it, but he had more hope for this then the formulas and symbols needed to comprehend calculus, so he returned to work again. The university entrance exams were approaching quickly and he really needed to get in. He didn't know what he'd do if he failed. He sighed again, wondering what his brother was up to. He should be home soon. Mikal smiled, wondering if he'd bring food. Then he sighed again. To himself, he murmured, "foreshadowing." It was the next word on his list. He tucked his hands under his chin and stared at the ceiling, rolling the word around his head. He knew what this meant. It was...when an author hinted at something that would occur later in the story. He went to check his answer and as he did he remembered that his brother said he was going to find one of his college friends to tutor him. He groaned. This exam meant as much to his brother as him, but Mikal new no college friend would actually want to help a high school senior. He sighed, frustrated. He turned back to his paper.
Just get him to love you the way you love him, an inner voice told Uto Remin. He then took in a breathe, and brushed his hair from his face as he and Taskito Feral leaned against the wall, talking happily about Taskito’s new job that he would soon take up. The young male’s raven-wing black hair was natural – dying is so over-rated – and in the sunlight it glistened softly.His eyes, a dim green, were only sparkling because of him. Uto had always been in love with Taskito; ever since the first day of his college year, before Taskito had to drop out because of Mikal. When Taskito's and Mikal's mother and father had been killed in the car accident, and Mikal severly injured, Taskito had made the decision to leave. Since then the two had only been able to meet when both their schedules saw fit to allow that.
“Why must you always talk about work, Taskito?" he teased with a grin, walking to him, his black shirt clinging to his muscular chest. He knew that Taskito had always thought of him as a friend. That had always been enough for Uto…though he always wanted more too. "Even on your days off you talk about work." He grinned and wrapped his arms around Taskito's waist and hugged him, laughing happily.
“Oh, get off of me." Taskito laughed, shaking his head. "Uto!" he said and laughed more as they fell into the hallway with one another and then Taskito looked over to see his brother, Mikal, sitting at a table studying.
Mikal looked up, startled, when Taski and his friend fell into the hallway. He swallowed, eyes wide. That had looked more than innocent...especially the way Uto had lingered to get up. Mikal shook his head. There went his overactive imagination again.
“Mikal, there you are, I hadn't seen you. This is Uto Remin – get off of me, you big oaf!" He laughed more.
Uto finally stood, pulling Taskito up with him, brushing him off. He looked at Mikal, and his brow wrinkled. "He looks nothing like you." He said, his eyes moving down the boy’s body, unemotional.
Taskito grinned, "Oh, hush. Mikal, Uto Remin," (Yes, the writer everyone!) "said that he'd tutor you this weekend." Uto's eyebrows furrowed and then he nodded. He’d do anything to make his love happy, even tutor a high school senior.
Mikal smiled hesitantly, tucking one strand of silver-white hair out of his face, slightly nervous. He had an idea Uto didn't really want to tutor him this weekend. "Erm, thanks Uto. I hope my brother and I aren’t imposing by asking you to help me. This entrance exam is important...to the both of us." Mikal's eyes clouded. He always felt guilty that Taskito had to drop out of school because of him. It hadn't been fair, and he knew it hadn't been his fault, but he till blamed himself. He looked down at his lap, seeming to examine the jeans he wore. He just hoped Uto wouldn't ask about the bandages, one below his left shoulder, one on his right wrist up to his elbow. The tight sleeveless purple shirt he wore let them show. There was one on his neck as well, and, though the jeans concealed it, one on his left ankle. He had been in the wreck that had killed his parents and he hid the scars under the bandages so that he wouldn’t have to constantly see the reminders of his parent's death.
"Right..." He said, starring at the young male before him. How old was he? Eighteen maybe? Ha, nice, very nice. He was forced to tutor him, and then what? He'd have to tell his boss, Sana Turoka, that he'd have to be a little late on the deadline. Oh, this was wonderful. This was just wonderful. She was going to have his head on a silver platter, and then she was going to salt it, butter it, stick it in the oven and watch it cook. But then again, it made Taskito happy. And he knew that was why he was doing it.
His eyes went down the boy once more. Scars. Whatever they were from he knew that they didn't make the boy happy to look at them – that’s why he had them covered in those bandages. They were probably from the night Taskito's parents were killed. Taskito had told him about it years ago, but Uto had never ever asked deeper into it. He knew that it hurt Taskito to talk about it, but was glad he had, since that meant he was special enough to know. "It's fine. Whatever I can do for Taskito...and you. I will do my best." He then cleared his throat and then looked at Taskito. "Lunch?" He asked and Taskito grinned.
"Lunch. Would you like to join us, Mikal?" Taskito asked, but Uto's eyes clouded stormily as he looked at the boy. Ha, who invited him again?
Mikal looked up, a grin spreading on his face, happy to be invited. His brother had been very busy with work lately and he with studying and they hadn't gotten to see each other much. Then, as quickly as it had come, the grin disappeared and he gulped. He shouldn't be frightened, but yet he was. The look he saw on Uto's face meant he clearly wasn't welcome. Mikal looked down quickly, to hide his reaction from his brother. "Uhm, no, I can find something here. I really should.... keep studying...maybe...some other time..." He wondered why he was letting this person stand in the way of his time with his brother. But then he knew. He felt guilty about his brother and now he felt guilty about bothering this Uto person. Besides, if Uto got mad at him, he might not help him study, and Mikal wanted to pass so badly, since he knew how much it would mean to his brother. It wouldn't pay Taski back for what he had done but.... it might be a start.
Maybe he felt a little bad for doing that to his love's brother. Maybe. Just a little. He couldn't help it, really. It was...he only had a while left before his love had to leave and come on. They are family; they see each other every day, right? He never saw his family...ever. He then took Taskito's hand and grinned. Pulling him out the door, he led Taskito to his shiny red sports car and then helped him in, looking up at the house for a moment then getting into the other side. He couldn't help but feel a bit of remorse. Maybe next time he'd invite the little brother along.
Yeah.
Maybe.
Mikal had sprung to his feet as soon as he heard the door slip closed and watched the two leave through a crack in the front window's curtain. His tail lashed. He didn't like the way Uto held his brother's hand so possesively. His ears drooped and he sighed then walked slwoly back to his studying. He suddenly didn't feel hungry, he'd probably just skip lunch. As he sat down he wondered what would happen with the study dates, and he wondered if Uto would really try and help him at all, or just ignore him.
