Reconnecting

'Hello, Zeus.'

'Oh! Hi Mr Bolton!'

'Wasn't expecting you...'

'How's it going?'

'Not bad, thanks... um, what about you?'

'I'm okay too.'

'I thought I'd take a walk on the beach. I live pretty close, you see.'

'Oh, nice... bet it's nice being able to go into the sea whenever you like, huh?'

'Yeah, I do enjoy it. We have a pool as well, so I tend to go in there more. It's easier anyway, with my leg.'

'Oh, sorry...'

'No no, it's okay. I think we're lucky to live in a town like this, with a nice beach.'

'Me too... I just hope it stays that way. If we carry on going on like this, it won't... Ah, shit, sorry. I won't bore you with the environment...'

'Hey, you're right. I heard from Edward that you're involved in campaigning. That's commendable for someone your age.'

'Thanks...'

'Stick with it. It's good to see people standing up for their principles.'

'Oh yeah, I will.'

'What else do you believe in?'

'Well, I'm a pacifist... but i-it's not like I expect everyone to be! I know you used to be a soldier, and that's fine... You must've had your reasons, and they're no less valid than mine... I mean, everyone's got their own opinions. Apart from when someone's being bigoted, I respect that.'

'Oh, me too. I've got no room for intolerance, and I've seen my fair share, being both gay and disabled. As for why I was a soldier... well, up until that point, my life didn't have much direction. Without going into too much detail, my childhood was neglectful, and I was starting to go off the rails a bit. The military gave me discipline and I learned some useful life skills. Certainly helped my shyness.'

'Aww, that's good.'

'Yeah. How's Tristan doing, anyway?'

'He's getting better. We're doing all we can to be there, y'know?'

'I'm glad to hear it. Send him my regards, will you? I'd talk to him myself but I don't think he'll return to Sunset Valley High, will he?'

'Mm, probably not... please don't tell people though. Wouldn't want Dad hearing and getting the wrong idea.'

'It's okay. My lips are sealed.'

'Why does she wanna talk to me anyway?'

'She didn't say, specifically. I think you two just need a catchup. It's been a while, hasn't it?'

'Yeah. That's true.'

'Go on, she's in the dining room. Come find me when you're done. I'll just be catching up on some crappy soaps.'

'Hey.'

'Hey. Sit down.'

'Now, I'm gonna be really hypocritical here because I'd hate it if someone asked me this, but what happened to you? You've got a bruise.'

'You're probably fed up of the topic of Miles, but... yeah.'

'He did that?'

'No, not him. Rikard.'

'Oh, that asshole... How'd it happen? Did they kidnap you too? Are you hurt?'

'I'm fine. I promise. They didn't go after me; I went after them. I went to Midnight Hollow.'

'What? Why? Because of me?'

'Partly. What happened to you just tipped me over the edge. To tell you the truth, I've wanted to kill him for a long time.'

'Fucking hell, Aria. I don't want you getting hurt on my behalf! I-I wouldn't expect you to avenge me or anything! What if they'd done something awful to you too? I'd never forgive myself.'

'I know. I haven't really been thinking logically recently... As you can tell, I'm not known for making good decisions. That being said... I'm serious about wanting him dead.'

'Fuck, aren't we all? So what did happen if they didn't torture you?'

'Okay. I'll explain.'


...

'Wow. Well, I'm glad you're okay.'

'Thanks. I didn't just wanna talk about that though. I haven't had the chance to talk to you much... I'm sorry I haven't made more of an effort over the years. I should've made more time.'

'Not your fault. Father's done a pretty good job of stopping you seeing us. But that doesn't matter any more.'

'You're right. From now on, we're gonna hang out on a regular basis, okay?'

'Yeah. I'd like that.'

'This is gonna sound awful, Tristan, but I never used to like you much.'

'Heh. That's okay. I wouldn't have liked me much either. I was a little fucker, to be honest.'

'And while you were still defending Tate, it was difficult for me to get close to you.'

'I'm sorry. I was such an idiot to keep ignoring it all, to keep pretending he's a decent person deep down... I'm really ashamed of myself.'

'Don't be. It's not your fault. He put you in a shitty position by treating you as the favourite. Besides, you're still a kid. God knows I was unbearable at your age. Not saying all teens are evil, or anything, since we know some good ones, like Charon or your siblings.'

'They're great.'

'They are. And you know what? You are too. It's obvious how much more mature you've become recently.'

'Thanks.'

'You're a person to be proud of, not ashamed of. You're helping your family escape, and before you know it, you lot are gonna be far away from all this. A fresh start.'

'Well jeez, considering the business and how much money I have now, I owe it to everyone to put it to good use. If it helps repay Mum for all she's done for us, I'm glad.'

'Good shit. You don't deserve any kind of self hatred. Leave that to me!'

'Hey, you shouldn't hate yourself either. Are you okay...?'

'Not really, but don't you worry about any of that. Focus on getting better yourself. Physically and mentally.'

'If I'm gonna be dragged into having therapy, you should too.'

'Hah, with Edward and Raya on my back, I won't get away with not having it.'

'I don't blame them for watching over you. Sounds like you gave them a real scare.'

'Yeah, well, I won't do it again.'

'Good. Because if we're gonna spend more time together, you need to be alive for that.'

'You've got a good point there.'