Close To You

1

Cover by: SxmplyMoxxi

TW's (or CW)
-Starvation due to money issues

Clay's POV

I opened the door to my house and put my bag down as I fell down on the couch after, resting my feet on the table. It was my last school day before the holiday and I was happy to have a break from all the homework and stuff.

After I sat down for ten minutes, I stood up and walked to the kitchen. 'Mom?' I yelled as I looked through the cupboards.

My mother walked up to me from upstairs and smiled. 'What's wrong?'

'Do we have any food?'

My mum looked down at the ground with a sad look in her eyes. 'I'm sorry, sweetie. I have to tell you something.'

I nodded and grabbed her hand as I saw she was almost crying. 'Don't cry, it's fine.'

'Sweetie, I would have wished to spend this holiday with you, but our money is actually running out. I told my boss that I will be working every day for the next few weeks. I might stay at work at night so I can get us some money again.'

I didn't know what to say and stared down at my hands in silence. My mum rubbed her thumb over the top of my hand and kissed my cheek. 'I'm so sorry, Clay. I wish I could have been here with you during the holiday, but I can barely pay for our food anymore.'

'It's fine, mom. I understand, will you be home sometimes?'

My mum took a deep breath and shrugged. 'I don't think so, honey. Even if I would come home, you would be asleep.'

'But-.'

'Do you want some of my food? I know you only had an apple for breakfast and lunch today, I will give you two sandwiches and skip my dinner today.'

'No, don't. We can both eat one sandwich.'

'But you're hungry, honey. I will eat something else.'

'Mom, please ask for help.'

'I can't, sweetie. I have to take of care of you, so I'm going to work more.'

'Have you eaten today?'

'I haven't, but I'm going to eat an apple. I'm leaving tomorrow morning at five am to start working, okay? I'm sorry that I don't have food for you, I wish I could buy you something tasty.'

I gave my mum a hug and smiled. 'It's fine, I'm not that hungry. I'm going upstairs to call George and Sap for a bit, is that alright? Do you want me to stay with you?'

'No, it's fine, sweetie. I will try to make soup if you want. I don't have much to make it with, but I will try.'

I smiled and kissed her cheek. 'It's fine, I'm going upstairs. Call me if you need me.'

My mother nodded and I went upstairs, grabbing my laptop to open Discord. I started a group's call, waiting if someone would maybe join. Both Sapnap and George joined around the same time and I smiled at them.

'Hi guys,' I said.

'Hey! What's up?' Sapnap asked.

'Nothing much, I just wanted to talk to you.'

'You're a bit pale, Clay,' George said. 'Are you alright?'

'Just a bit tired,' I mumbled.

'Clay, don't lie,' George said. 'What's wrong?'

I sighed and didn't have the courage to look up anymore. 'It's nothing much, the money is running out,' I muttered. 'I haven't eaten much today so I don't have much energy.'

'What have you eaten?'

'An apple,' I said quietly.

It was quiet for a little and then Sapnap cleared his throat. 'That's everything?'

'Yeah, but it's fine. I will have a sandwich for dinner,' I said with a smile. 'My mom is going to overwork to get some more money. The downside is that I'm going to be alone for the whole holiday, but I'll manage to have some fun alone.'

'Dude, no. We're not going to do that,' Sapnap said. 'I'm going on a holiday the last two weeks, I can go to your place.'

'No,' George said. 'Let me make it even better. I'm going on a holiday in a week. What if we have a sleepover for the first week and I'll ask my parents if you can go with us on the holiday. We are going to France and I would love you to come with us.'

'But I can't do that, I'm going to be fine. I'm just a bit hungry and tired.'

'You're our best friend, I'm not going to let you starve and be alone during the holiday. I'm coming tomorrow so I'm going to pack my bags,' Sapnap said as he ended the call.

'I'm going to pack my bags too, but wait,' George said. 'Give me a few minutes.'

He ended the call and I smiled as I realised I had really amazing friends. They were always here for me whenever I needed them. They knew my mum couldn't pay for a lot of stuff and they also knew I didn't have a dad who could help.

I sat back like this for ten more minutes as I suddenly heard my mum yell. 'Clay, there's someone for you.'

I stood up and ran downstairs to see George standing in the room with a smile. He was holding two bags and handed them to me. 'There you go, for the next few days.'

I looked in the bags and smiled brightly as I saw they were filled with food. George grabbed something out of it and handed me a chocolate bar. 'Eat this. I'm going to cook dinner for you today.'

'Are you serious?' I muttered as I unwrapped the paper from the chocolate bar. I started eating it immediately as George handed my mother a sandwich, giving me one after.

I had tears in my eyes and walked closer to George to give him a tight hug. 'Thank you so much, this means so much to me,' I muttered.

'You're actually the best friend I could have wished for, Clay. I'm not going to let you both starve.'

George broke the hug and smiled at my mother. 'Don't worry about Clay, Sapnap and I are going to stay here for a week and then he's coming with me on a holiday,' George said with a smile.

'Thank you so much,' my mother said as she hugged George as well. 'I'm so glad that you're Clay's friend.'

George smiled. 'What do you want for dinner? I'll prepare it.'

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