2|| Whispers in the Wind

25|| your decision

Wilder

Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck.

This was NOT happening. He was about to escape his house, only to be held up by a woman who was 5'3''. Namely his mom. And he was definitely terrified. This was going to hold up his whole plan and he wasn't exactly super excited for it. She narrowed her eyes at him. "Where are you going, Wilder?"

He gulped. There was a hint of steel in her voice. Definitely not good. "Uh, I-"

"Spare me the excuses. I know where you're going. You wanted to meet with your friends, didn't you. To meet with Sarah Wesner?"

"I-uh, yes...?"

"And their parents don't know they're going to do it either, do they?"

"No..."

"So you are all getting into this without permission nor knowing why?" She crossed her arms.

Wilder contemplated whether it would be best to jump out the window or lock himself into his room.

His mom snapped her fingers. "Wilder!"

"Sorry what? Oh. Well yes. We don't have permission."

"You know I can phone Evelyn's father and Leo's parents right now to put a stop to this, right?"

"Please don't?" he squeaked.

Her face softened. "But I won't. Because I know the importance of this. Maybe you should tell your friends that meeting Sarah Wesner is pointless. It would be best to create a scenario in which the girl's family would move away. Nobody dies, the end!"

"You know I can't do that. Kalyani and Aria and the rest of them are completely invested in this. If I break my promise now, I'd show up as a coward. And most of all, I'd miss my only chance with..." Wilder trailed off.

His mom uncrossed her arms. "Wilder, listen to me. It's your decision on what you do, but I will give you my opinion. Just leave this. You know what the only way is, but I refuse to let you do it. Do you think I would? After-" her shoulders heaved. She fell silent.

"Make them leave. Keep everyone safe. Roxanne will find someone else to bother," she repeated.

Wilder looked down at his feet. "So what should I say to them? 'Sorry, you gotta move 'cause I can't help you'?! They've found all the proof they need, they've stayed up nights-"

"And for what? What did they do it for? All for nothing. You're the only one who knows. So tell them. Take away their false hope."

"I couldn't."

"I know. You are too sweet for that. But think of an alternative. Because as your mother, I have every right to stop you. I don't care for your reputation, as long as it's your safety."

"Even if it means I abandon my friends for myself?"

"No, you abandon your friends for your family. Family. It's too precious, something you get to enjoy for part of your life. Or if you're lucky, at least most of your life."

But Wilder didn't want to. So he did the only thing he could. The only thing he was getting much practice at these days. He lied. "Okay mom. I will. I'll tell them to back down. Good Night, I'll go back to my room."

She nodded approvingly. "Good. But remember this: I'll say it again- this is your decision. You could handle it differently. Just don't do what it takes to get rid of Roxanne. You know I wouldn't live through it."

Wilder made a beeline to his room and the first thing he did was lock the door. He turned off the light and left the flashlight of his phone on.

He turned to his bed and piled and clumped the covers together, and set a ball on the pillow. If his mom looked through the hole in the door, all she would see was a sleeping figure, which she would assume was Wilder.

Now for his escape. Not quite sure how to do it, he thought for a moment. There was, of course, sneaking out through the front door, but he was likely to be caught by Malia and her boyfriend of the day. Another thing he should have told his mom. At least he'd written it down.

Wilder promised to give it to Kalyani first thing. Or last thing. Or somewhere-in-the-middle thing.

The point was he would give it to her. He looked around his room. There were a few photos. Framed photos of him and his dad, him learning to ride a bicycle, and one of Malia forcing a headband on his head. Back when she was nice.

There was a few of the whole family, and a few of his mom and his dad standing together. And his favorite, the picture of his dad standing with an arm around him, both wearing identical police hats.

He thought for a moment, then picked it off the shelf. Then he thought better of it and put it back, but slightly off angle so his mom would notice.

The window slightly creaked open. Wilder took that as a sign and thought. If he jumped, it was likely he would die- or at least break a leg and cause drama. He looked down. There were some footholds on the pipe. They were tiny and risky, but they'd have to do.

Maybe he could write a message to Malia too... one her door. Vandalism Fboy #2 was back for just a moment.

He picked off his sharpie and silently unlocked the door. Thankfully his mom was back outside, and his sister wasn't home yet. So, he thought. What would he write? There was one thing possible anyways. So, silently praying that his mom wouldn't read it first, he scrawled on:

You're a bitch, but I used to love you anyways. Try being your old self for mom again, Malia. Bye.

Hopefully she would freak out, which was his intention. Meh.

Before the footsteps started up again, he ran into his room. He decided not to lock the door since someone would have to open it anyways.

And so, Wilder Ramirez took a good look around his room. He was ready. He wasn't ready.

But he had to be. He leaned out of the window, breathing in the cold night air and hoping his friends  didn't appear under his apartment. Oh! He'd almost forgotten.

Wilder pulled out his phone and texted each and every one of them: I'll be a bit late- sorry!

His dramatic entrance needed to be cool- Roxanne or no Roxanne.

And so, finally, Wilder lowered himself out into the first step. Then the second, hoping his message would be seen.

He remembered to stuff the paper in his pocket.