2|| Whispers in the Wind

27|| choices

Wilder

Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck.

This was not happening. Wilder was about to escape his house, only to be held up by a woman who was five foot three. Namely his mom. And he was definitely terrified. This was going to fuck his entire plan up, and she was definitely going to be asking him questions. 

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-"

"You're going to meet with your friends, aren't you? This is the time they told me to meet. You said we were going to bail on them. We as in both me and you."

"Yes? We are, I was just checking the mail."

She ignored him. "Tell me your plan. Now. You know it's dangerous, and you're risking yourself completely by doing this. You are the one who doesn't want them to find out."

"You're right."

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. Yeah, I'm just going to meet with them. We'll wait for you to show up, and when you don't, we'll leave it alone."

"I know you better than that. I know you'd do anything for your friends, and you've started to truly care for the new girls. I can't risk letting you go out there, you understand? I've already lost your father, I can't do it again."

"Please don't trap me in here?" he squeaked.

Her face softened. "I know the importance of this, and I understand, believe me. But you can't risk yourself. 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. They can't risk staying here and battling Roxanne."

"You know I can't do that. Kalyani and Aria and the rest of them are completely invested in this. And I've been helping this whole time. If I just tell them to run away, they'll think I'm a coward." Well, they will either way. 

His mom uncrossed her arms. "Wilder, listen to me. Just leave this. You are going to stay in this house, because I know what you're planning to do."

"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 and tell them you can't sacrifice someone for this."

"I can't. I'd rather hide." Please fall for it please fall for it please fall for it.

"I know. 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 you are safe."

"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 there was only one path left for Wilder. So he did the one thing he could. The only thing he was getting much practice at these days, other than guitar. He lied. "Okay mom. I will. I'll tell them to back down. I'll go back to my room and stay there."