heal// 5SOS

27

Calum

As Sage approached the car, they didn't look me in the eye. They climbed in, put my wallet on my lap, and buckled their seatbelt up.

"Sage,"

"Yeah?"

"I love you. I care about you, and I want to see you happy, but what you did today was not okay. However, I want to know your side of the story before I comment,"

"I just wanted to see my friends. They make me happy, I just wanna be happy,"

"How did you do it?"

"I got a taxi,"

"And how much did that cost?"

They shrugged and I sighed, turning to them.

"I'm disappointed, to be honest. I know your friends are important to you, and I know you love school, which is really good because I know you used to hate it, but your health is important to me. And you know I am open to suggestions and listen to you, but I made it clear that you were to stay off school today,"

"I wanted to see my friends,"

"I know, darling, but it was dangerous, and now makes me wonder how much I can trust you,"

"You can trust me,"

"But you haven't shown me that today. You're a kid. You're 14, and even though you feel like you can be an adult, you can't and shouldn't be. I'm so glad you are safe, but I am really upset,"

They began to cry and I leant over, hugging them. It didn't mean they didn't deserve love and support.

Punishing Sage was hard. I didn't want to not allow them to dye their hair or have a piercing because their self expression was important to me, I didn't want to take away anything that would prevent them talking to their friends, and I didn't want to take away from their free time activities because it was important for their mental health.

"What am I gonna do with you, ay? You can't do things like this,"

"I won't do it again,"

"I'm not gonna give you pocket money this month, but if anything like this happens again, I am going to have to be more strict. Okay?"

"Okay,"

"I love you,"

I gave them a squeeze and then started the car, heading over to their therapy. There were some tensions between us, but I could tell they had anticipated a lot worse.

Once they were inside, I drove to a supermarket and did our food shop because we were really low on everything. I got plenty of fruit and snacks for the kids, and got a mix of fresh ingredients and premade sauces. I dis love making all my food fresh, but sometimes I was too tired, or the kids were too tired and would be picky.

I put all the frozen and fridge food in a cool bag and took it all to the car to load it, then drove back to pick up Sage and waited outside for them.

When they came, they went to my door and opened it, hugging me.

"Sorry,"

"I accept your apology,"

"Thank you for not shouting,"

"Shouting gets you no where. Come on, let's get the little ones,"

"I got a C in my maths test," they said, climbing into their seat.

"Oh well done, that's amazing,"

"Is it good enough?"

"As long as you have tried your best, I will be proud no matter what,"