Living Not Dreaming [Suite Life on Deck]

16 - News

Jack boarded the ship against. 

His friends were waiting for him at the smoothie bar.

"Hey," Evan said.

He was the first to notice.

"Hey," Jack said.

"Are you okay?" Bailey asked.

"Dang, your parents are..." Zack said.

"My parents are pulling me out of Seven Seas High at the end of the school year," Jack informed his friends.

"What?"

"They can't do that!"

"Why?"

"No, you can't leave!"

Evan was the only one who didn't say anything.

"They said because my best friends dad told them I was homesick," Jack said, "but I don't think that's the reason."

"You're homesick?" Cody asked, concerned.

"A little," Jack shrugged, "but I don't think that's the reason."

"Than what's the reason?" Marcus asked.

"I think they just want me to come back home because it's convenient for them," Jack said. "People are beginning to talk about..."

"They're beginning to talk?" Zack repeated.

Jack nodded. "Yeah. I've been in contact with some of my parents business partners and they've been telling me... people are now saying that my parents sent me off to boarding school because I need to be put in my place."

"So your parents are worried of what people think of their family?" Bailey said.

"No, Bailey, they're concerned about my mental wellbeing," Jack rolled his eyes.

Bailey gave him a look.

"Do you want to leave?" Cody asked.

"I honestly don't know," Jack shrugged. "I want to stay, but..."

"You want to go home," Evan finished.

Jack nodded.

"Don't get me wrong," Jack said, "being on the ship has been great, but... I guess I was just meant to be on the ship for a single school year."

His friends looked sadly at him, wishing that he doesn't have to leave at the end of the school year, but he has no choice. His parents had made the decision for him.

"I'm sorry, guys," Jack said. "I wish I could stay, but..."

"We get it, man," Evan said. "We know that you don't have a choice."

"I, uh, I'm going to head back to the cabin," Jack said. "I just want to..."

His friends understood. He wanted to be alone for a while.

Jack laid on his bed. 

He didn't get a single text or call from his parents.

The door opened and Evan entered with Mr. Mosbey. Jack sat up on his bed when he saw the manager of the ship enter.

"I've been looking for you everywhere," Mr. Mosbey said. "I just talked to your parents."

"Let me guess, they told you they're planning on pulling me out of Seven Seas High at the end of the school year."

"They did," Mr. Mosbey confirmed. 

"What else did they say?"

"They were saying they wanted to talk to you."