*Mason’s POV*
Rolled up in my blanket, I hear a knock on my room door and lazily roll out of my bed, accidentally falling on the floor as I struggle to get out of the blanket. When I’m successful, I get up, opening the door to see my mom’s assistant whose gaze is on the floor.
“Sir Arnold, your father is expecting you in his office. Now.”
I frown and look down at my cozy onesie that’s of a cat, a gift I had gotten from Lily’s mom.
“I’ll be there in a minute,” I say. As she leaves, I close the door and wear a baggy white shirt and a blue jean, heading to my father’s office right after.
Actually… father probably heard the news, didn’t he? I soon come to a stop in front of his office door, my heart palpitating. Crossing my fingers, I take in a deep breath to calm my racing heart, opening his office door afterwards.
His office is the same design as his old office in the urban part of Anthon, a place in our old house that fairly suits his demeanor, and I do remember leaving that place when I was six or so.
Father’s cold gaze meet mine as I stop in the middle of the room. I guess this distance is safe enough.
“Mason,” Father calls out as he rests his elbows on his table and clasps his hands. “...the last time we talked was yesterday and if I remember correctly, I reminded you that you weren’t being an utter disgrace to this family in society yet you decided to cause trouble.”
Staring at the ground, I avoid his gaze. I guess we aren’t exchanging pleasantries.
“…You probably know why you’re here so I’ll get straight to the point. Do you know what you’ve done? Do you know how much of a mess you’ve made with my relationship with them?”
I continue to look away, my fist clenching. He… doesn’t even notice I’m hurt. How typical of him.
He lets out a heavy sigh, tapping his finger against his table. “…For reasons I do not know of and for your own gain, you had a fight with Brian Allen, and his father is someone I have a good relationship with. And this further proves that you don’t think before you make decisions. I wonder what I’ve taught you throughout the years since it’s like you haven’t learnt a single thing.”
I feel his cold gaze staring daggers at me and suddenly, he stands up from his chair, his figure stopping inches away from me.
“Are you even an Arnold? Maybe you’re the son of another man but even then, is there something wrong with you?”
…What… is he saying? I’m his son but… what prompted him to question that? Maybe I’m not exactly like him, maybe I’m not perfect but why on earth would he even think of such a thing?
“Look up at me,” he commanded with anger. Hesitantly, I do so, not daring to disobey his orders. Looking into his cruel gaze, my heart beats rapidly, my throat feeling dry.
“Why can’t you be like Liam Myers?” he ranted. “He can control his emotions, he doesn’t fight with others like you did, he is way better of a son than you can ever be in every way-”
“Seriously, do you want me to say that I’ll try harder?!” I fumed as I cut him off, my voice growing louder with each word. “That I’ll promise to be something that I can never be? A fucking replica of someone as shitty as you-“
A harsh slap cuts me short, my gaze moving to the floor. It… stings a lot. Fuck.
“…You’ve said that more times than I can count so I would prefer it if you didn’t,” he points out, dropping his hand to his side. “Also, change your manner of speech. You’re greatly disappointing me, and I haven’t even talked about how much you hangout with that florists’ daughter. It’s irritating.”
He takes a step closer, my legs unconsciously taking two small steps back. Is he… going to slap me again? What should I… do? Abruptly, an intense tightening in my chest causes me to wince, my fingers pulling onto my shirt, my heart throbbing in my ear.
“Even now, you look as pathetic as ever,” he chuckles maliciously. “Get out.”
“…What?”
“Are you deaf?! Get out of my sight and don’t even think about staying the night here. After all, you’re all talk and no action so just get out before I lose my patience with you.”
Not wasting a single second, I walk out of his office without another word as tears block my vision, shutting the door behind me and running to my room. With shaking hands, I pack some clothes to wear into my school bag, tears leaking from my eyes. Why… why does he detest me so much?
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Swinging my bag on my shoulder, I leave the house without looking back, because at the end of the day, I’m an outsider in a house that isn’t mine, a house that isn’t my home. My gaze moves to Lily’s house in front of me and I let out a frustrating sigh, running my fingers through my hair. They’ll be concerned if they saw me in this state, especially Lily, and it’s one of the reasons I love her.
I walk on the sidewalk, sobbing quietly as I head to my other mom’s place, hoping that he would let me stay for the night. Looking up at the dazzling stars in the dark sky, I wipe my tears, a pitiful smile making its way on my face. If only it could rain right now and hide my pitiful tears, if only I could be a better son, if only… I wasn’t so pathetic.
•••
“...Dude, it’s the twenty-fifth time this year,” Austin says, his hand still holding his front door. I let out a sigh, his baby blue eyes looking back at me with concern.
“...You’ve been counting?”
“Of course! I’m your friend after all and aren’t you coming in?”
Before I can answer, he practically pulls me into his house, closing the door behind him. Why is he so informal when he’s off work?
His living room is how I remember it to be, a colourful eccentric with a green statement wall with artworks hung on it, a mustard couch placed facing a side of the room, a round marble coffee table in front of the couch and a light wooden floor.
“Take off your shoes quickly,” Austin states as he crosses his arms. “You are not dirtying the floor or my precious rug.”
I look over at the large boho rug underneath, the couch and the coffee table, nodding at his words and taking off my shoes.
“Yes mom,” I reply. He scoffs and rolls his eyes, a chuckle escaping my lips. Gosh is he such a mom.
“By the way… will you like to talk about why you’re here again or do you just want to sleep in my room as usual?”
“...Please just make sure Scarlett is in his enclosure,” I say, not wanting to talk about it.
“But Scarlett loves you,” he pouts before leading me to his room.
Immediately I enter his room, I drop my backpack onto the floor and jump onto his grey bed, covering myself with his blue-gray blanket.
“...Oh and by the way,” he begins with an evil smirk. “Scarlett is under the blanket.”
I abruptly sit up, looking under the sheets, my eyes landing on something red. Picking it up, I bring out the snake and put it on the sheets.
“Why would you let Scarlett out? I could have hurt him, you know?”
“But you didn’t,” Austin points out, plopping onto the bed beside me. He carries Scarlett who later wraps himself around Austin’s arm in a slow manner. “Oh and… what happened to your face?”
“...I …I fought with… Brian-”
“I’m not talking about that but that one red mark on your face. It looks recent.”
I pause with a frown, my eyes wandering to his room as I ponder his words, looking at the white walls, the wooden floor that’s partially covered with a grey carpet, paintings of Scarlett hung on the wall above his bed, his two tall but narrow windows, each at the corner of his room that is covered slightly with dark blue curtains.
“…My father did it,” I answer after a while. Austin frowns, crossing his ankles.
“...Okay!” he replies afterwards and I give him a confused look. What kind of reply was that? Actually… that was to be expected. He does know of how Father treats me after all.
Right after, he looks at me with puppy-dog eyes, an annoyed look forming on my face.
“Can I care for your wounds-”
“No,” I immediately say. “...But actually… it would be fine if Lily saw that my wounds are healing.”
He huffs, crossing his arms “Why are you thinking about Lily at this moment?”
I shrug, looking up at his white ceiling with a smile on my face.
“Because I love her?”
“...Wait… so it went from being in love with her to loving her?” he questions, covering himself with the blanket. “When did you realise something so obvious?”
I roll my eyes, laying flat on the bed. “It was when we hung out during school hours, but I realised I have loved her for a while without noticing.”
“Oh my~ How romantic Casanova,” he comments. “Oh and how was your date with her?”
“…It was good but… it wasn’t a date.”
“From your perspective, yes, but everyone in school thinks it was a date,” he explains. “But at least you had fun with your girlfriend.”
Too tired to answer, I let out a sigh burying my face in his blue pillow. “I guess but… I kinda feel sleepy now so stop talking.”
I shoo him away with my hand, my eyes closing.
“This is my room and my bed you airhead and I’m not going to give it to you just because your day was rough. But… since you’re my friend, I’ll let it slide.”
I chuckle at his words, the room going quiet. I’m glad I have a friend like Austin but now that I think about it, today was fun despite its ups and downs. I'm glad that I have people who comfort me during my hard times, and I’m glad… I have good people in my life.
——————————
Lily's Playlist
• Windy Day by Helios Relaxing Space
• Melancholy by Helios Relaxing Space
• Dandelions by Ruth B
• The Other Side by Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron
• At My Worst by Pink Sweat$ feat. Kehlani
• N/A
Mason's Playlist
• The Other Side by Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron
• At My Worst by Pink Sweat$ feat. Kehlani
• N/A