Moments

09-25-15 Friday: prompt "Terminal"

Summary: If only Eugene could secure his reality as easily as sinking the ball into the net.

Word Count: 1165

…

The chain net clinked as the ball – finally – fell through. It bounced back to Eugene and he caught it. Basketball was one of those sports that could be played alone without looking foolish. The only opponent needed was the stationary giant holding the hoop still.

He was in the small park close to the building that Martin's lab was in. The half court was run down, with cracks in the pavement and tufts of grass struggling within them. There was no boundary fence, which meant good luck if the ball was thrown too hard, and if the net had not been made out of chain link it might have rotted away without any notice ages ago.

Since nobody noticed him – a recently turned fourteen-year-old boy in dark wash jeans, a white tee shirt, and matching sneakers – he claimed ownership of the court, a playground for the awkward age of not yet a man but no longer a child.

Eugene was not interested in playing professionally. He knew that he didn't have the skill for that, or any sport, for that matter. He could clear the hoop more than once and a while and dribble the ball proficiently, and that was enough for him.

Instead, the sport was like meditation to Gene. He focused on three things: the flow of his breath, the movement of the ball, and the rim of the hoop. As he threw the ball, he was tossing away accumulated thoughts and worries that had built up since his last visit.

Today, the rim felt further away, or it was possible life had dragged him down to a smaller size. Amidst his labored breathing, sighs of irritation could be heard when the ball bounced against the rim again and landed at his feet. The hoop didn't care how much confidence he pretended to have in the real world: here, he was only judged if he could secure the ball into the net.

If only he could secure his reality as easily.

He was a perfect medium, and oh, what a profession to be caught up in. Some worshiped you if you could tell them, yes, your mother really did love you. And others scoffed and made you feel ten inches tall as they asked if you intended on getting a real job when you grow up.

Was it normal to be worried about not being noticed in the grand design of things at only fourteen?

The sun had started to nestle itself in between the houses lining the west side of the court. He wasn't ready for the dark to arrive. Some people could hide their real selves better in the night, but it made Eugene feel more exposed. The ball hit the ground in time with the beat of his pounding feet as he ran to the opposite side of the court.

As he moved faster, in his mind's eye another opponent entered the court: the future. Though there was no one there, he spun away and fled, with the ball bouncing in front of him. He laughed out loud, a war cry against bleakness of his thoughts. What in the world did he have to worry about? There were people who dreamed to be in his shoes. They tried to fit him into their standard of success because they would never reach what he had achieved already. His emotion lifted, and the moment stretched until he hoped it would last forever.

In reality, Eugene worried too much about the well being of other people. His brother came to mind. Eugene thought he was too young to worry about what he wanted to do as an adult, but Oliver had already chosen. Why did Oliver push himself so hard? What did he hope to gain?

Oliver was not just pushing the boundaries of his mind by attempting to finish school early. He was also working his body with what he could handle with his PK – and it never ended well unless Eugene was there to balance him.

Yesterday Eugene wasn't there, and Oliver almost went to the hospital.

What would Oliver do if Eugene was actually gone? Would he ever gain control over his abilities?

Just that easily, fear gained control over Eugene again and spread through him like a terminal disease.

The ball went astray, and Eugene dove to put into back into line. His body had not intended on changing direction. He tripped over his own feet and as he went down, he attempted to duck and roll.

"God damn it!"

He found himself on his back, any remaining breath wasted from swearing. His hands and elbow stung.

The moment had snapped. Maybe he would just stay on the ground for awhile.

"For someone who doesn't believe in a God, you take his name in vain enough."

Eugene sat up with a wince. Oliver sat on one of the benches on the sidelines. He wore a gray jacket but his arms were still crossed against the chill that had crept in. Eugene did not know how long he was there, and for a psychic, that was just plain embarrassing.

"You're supposed to be in bed," Eugene said.

"I feel better. Madoka dropped me off on her way to the lab."

Eugene peered at his brother, and realized that it wasn't his fault that he had not noticed Oliver's presence – Oliver's mind was locked up tight.

"Did you break anything?" Oliver asked.

"You still look pale."

"You're avoiding the question."

Eugene tapped his temple and stood up. "You would know the answer if you were not hiding from me."

"I'm fine, all right?"

Eugene located the ball, which had rolled away into the grass. He carried it over and sat down next to his twin.

"You scare me," Eugene finally said, "when you collapse like that."

"You weren't there," Oliver said.

"That doesn't mean I didn't feel it."

"You can't protect me forever, Gene."

"That's what I'm afraid of."

""You should focus on yourself," Oliver said. "Give me a break for a moment."

"But at this moment, I'm generally happy." Eugene leaned back on his arms. "Are you happy?"

"If I say yes, will you drop the subject?"

It had gotten dark. Martin was going to come looking for them soon. There were no lights on the court, but a streetlight went on across the street. The city hummed in the background.

Eugene let Oliver off the hook and dropped the subject. He couldn't trust a straight answer when their mental door was shut, anyway.

They entered into a period of silence. Eugene looked over at Oliver, who had his eyes closed. A faint night breeze ruffled his hair and put some color into his cheeks again, though it could just be a trick of the poor light.

This exact moment would never come again, Eugene thought. So he had to ask himself again: Am I happy now?

He had barely finished the thought before the answer came: I am.

…

Based on the lyrics of 'The Best Moment in Life', intro to the EP of the same name by BTS.

I know I say this so often but it never hurts to repeat it: Thank you so much for your favorites and comments. Every time a reader takes the time to say in one way or another, 'I read your work,' it fills my heart and you all are the reason why I continue writing for this fandom.