Damnit Mr. Fischbach

Sit Still and Smile

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Jack's POV

I walked into my house; it was eerily quiet. My mom walked in behind me.

"Mom?" I asked

"Yes Sean?"

"Where's Ryan..?" I was expecting him to greet me with his usual Cheshire grin, but to my delight he hadn't emerged from the house. My mother scratched her cheek and giggled, nervous about something.

"Uh- Well, I don't really know how to put this but um..." She surprisingly sprung into tears and began to sob uncontrollably. I was so shocked and confused. I had never seen my mother cry before. I rushed over to the crumbling woman before me and wrapped my arms around her.

"Whats wrong mama? What happened? Are you okay?" I bombarded her with questions, I had no idea what to do in this situation. My father walked into the front door behind my mother. He looked tired and sorry. "Dad? Do you know what's got mom so upset?" I asked as though she weren't there.

"Yes... well, everything kind of happened so fast..." He stopped with a heavy sigh and rubbed his, now watering, eyes. "Your brother... is the one who hit you..." I interrupted him,

"Oh my gosh! What?! Well where is he? Was he injured? What h-" My father interrupted me in return,

"He's dead Jack. Ryan... is dead. He passed away on impact." A single, tragic tear ran down my fathers stubbly cheek. While my parents were crying, I was trying to contain my feelings of euphoria... Ryan... he's finally gone! Tears began to run down my face too, though these were tears of joy. I began to wail while simultaneously laughing hysterically . My parents must have thought I was sad, they swarmed me with a group hug and we all just kind of melted together into a mess of tears and struggled sobs.

That night, we took it extra easy. Mom ordered my favorite foods and we all watched a funny show together. I've never felt such a feeling of... pure content. This was all so new. I didn't have to worry about Ryan's abuse, I didn't have to spend the night alone, I didn't have to be in a toxic environment with Mark. I could get used to this...

The next morning I woke up to the smell of waffles being made. I smiled to myself and forced my heavy eyelids open. Today I'm going to do this right. This is a new beginning for me. I got ready for school and headed downstairs for breakfast. To my surprise, my mother was sitting at the kitchen counter drinking coffee, while my dad was making some Eggos in the toaster. I stood at the bottom of the stairs smiling from ear to ear. My mother must have felt my eyes on her, she turned her head and looked at me with such a lovely smile. It was like in an anime, when a bunch of flowers surround a person when they smile. I've never seen her make a face like this. It was lovely. I smiled wider.

"Good morning sweets! Did you sleep okay?" She asked, setting her pink coffee mug down on the counter. I giggled, I almost didn't think she could possibly be talking to me. Thank you god for this second amazing chance.

"Yeah, I slept okay. Thank you..." I giggled quietly "How did you sleep mama?" She looked surprised at my returning the question. Her look of shock didn't last long, it was quickly replaced with another pleasant smile.

"I slept okay, thank you for asking Jacky." She looked down at her watch checking the time. An expression of mild panic crossed her face, "Oh no! Honey, we're gonna be late! Shoot!" My dad turned to me without skipping a beat,

"Son, there are some waffles for you in the toaster, don't forget your pills before class too." He pointed a finger at me, trying to look menacing. I just giggled.

"Love you!" They said simultaneously as they left the house.

"Love you too." I gave them a wave.

"Oh! And Jack," My mom popped her head back in the house, "Me and dad are gonna be home late as usual. We have some frozen dinners in the freezer. Don't forget your night meds too!" Once they had left, I ate my waffles and got ready for class. I grabbed a glass of water and downed my prescribed pills. I smiled to myself, today is gonna be a good day, I can feel it.

I arrived in class on time today, now Mark won't have anything to scold me for! I sat down at my usual spot and smiled to myself. I took out all my materials and set my desk up for class. I took a deep breath and let out a sigh of relief.

"Psst!" I heard somebody from my left trying to get my attention. I looked to my side to see Tony smiling at me. "Hey Jack! Are you okay man? ...I heard about what happened..." His eyebrows met in worry. I just gave him a reassuring smile and said,

"I'm feeling great actually, thank you for asking!" I said excitedly. This visibly reassured Tony. I smiled to myself. Mark interrupted our pleasantries,

"Okay class! Let's get to the lesson, shall we?" He asked the class. Nobody said anything. He laughed awkwardly and continued. I was smiling the whole class and could barely focus. I kept obsessing over the fact that Mark can't keep me after class today. This was the day that my life began to end. This time, this is the day that my life is just beginning. I get to be normal. I get a second chance.

Before I knew it, first period was over and the bell rang.

"Alright kids, don't forget to read pages 74-89 in your textbooks and remember, I suggest you take avid notes!" Mark yelled at the kids as we all ignored him and walked out the door. Even though I didn't even want to think about Mark anymore, I felt like he was always staring at me and I couldn't stop obsessing over that. We'll get past this, I know it.

    Science class had arrived and I was seated at the lab table with my lab partner when the intercom came on. I suddenly got deja vu. It's Felix asking for me, isn't it..?

    "Jack McLaughlin to the office please. Jack McLaughlin." The secretary chimed. Shit, I really don't want to see Felix... I remember what happened the first time... I shivered at Just the thought and got nauseous. I hadn't gotten up to leave which caught my teacher's attention.

"Uh, Jack?" She asked, waving her hand in my face. I jumped to alert,

"Y-yes ma'am?" I asked stuttering. The class quietly snickered. "Oh, right. Um... Miss, may I please go to the nurse first? I don't feel very well. I think it's an emergency." She didn't look phased at all.

"Of course Jack, go ahead." She returned to her spot at the front of the classroom and continued her lecture.

I walked to the nurse and saw a large, mean looking, woman. I forced a smile and approached,

"H-hi miss! May I go home early please?" I asked in my sweetest voice. She looked unimpressed,

"And why exactly would I allow that?" She asked with a bored expression. I thought hard,

"U-um... We're holding a family memorial service for my brother!" I shouted with eureka. I was smiling to myself when I realized I should probably look sad when talking about my dead older brother. The woman looked at me skeptically.

"Sigh* Fine. Sign yourself out and leave through the main exit. Thank you." She spoke like an automated voice message. I smiled and filled out the sign out form. Another problem evaded! Yes! I practically skipped home.