Back In Time

Chapter 17

Alana was easy to deal with.

The only reason Jared ever talked to her in the original timeline was professional purposes only. They weren't close friends or even family friends. He'd call her a co-worker or something like that. They didn't know each other very well.

However, when Heidi walked in Jared's room crying to see him alive and breathing, he had no idea how to handle that.

Jared wasn't good at comforting people in the first place. Comforting Heidi while keeping up an angsty attitude was something far beyond Jared's skill set, so basically, Jared had no idea what to do.

"Jared, I- you're... you're back?" Heidi walked closer to Jared's bed. Each step towards him made Jared want to disappear even more. "You're back, but we saw you at your funer- how?"

"I really don't want to be asked questions right now, Heidi." Jared's tone was laced with anger, and although he tried to show the least amount of empathy he could, it was still a little present. It was hard not to, I mean... Jared cared about Heidi.

"Jared, please. Evan- he told us about you, and- and I want you to know, you can be honest with me. With us." Heidi's desperation was clear, and it was getting harder and harder to deal with.

"You have no idea what you know and don't know about me," Jared said, glaring at her.

"Jared, I do know you. And I love you-"

"-You don't love me!" Jared snapped, yelling so loud that it shocked Jay even. "You don't love me, Cynthia doesn't love me, nobody loves me! You know that damn well!"

"Jared-" Tears appeared in Heidi's eyes. "I... I had so much hope, I..."

"Why is everyone saying they had hope? I have never changed! Do you think I want to change?!"

Jared in that moment realized that he was straight up shouting, and the words that came out didn't even resemble Connor. It was just...

Him.

Amplified a bit, but.

"I believe you want to. You wrote it. In your note."

Jared looked down at his hands, his heart sinking in his chest. "I... I'm s-"

"You can't apologize," Jay said, and even his voice shook by how Jared just yelled.

"...leave."

"Jared-"

"Please. Please, just go."

"I want to help you-"

"Go!"

~

It only got worse from there on out.

Cynthia was an easier conversation since she was Larry now. One yell, and she stopped trying.

Heidi never did, though.

Heidi talked to him a lot. Every night, she'd try convincing Jared that he could do better. Jay kept on staying adamant that he'd never change, but Jared... Jared wasn't so sure about that.

Heidi... how could anyone be so senseless to everything she was trying to do? She's practically begging. Just... something good in her son. Anything.

Alana didn't even try talking to him. Dinners were awkward, but Jared typically sat as far away from everyone else as possible, not responding to Cynthia and Heidi's questions and staring at his meal the entire time.

Jared had two weeks off because of suspension, but he wasn't expelled or anything. Once those weeks were over, Jared would be able to see Evan again. However, two weeks in an alternate timeline? It was... a lot.