eternity// 5SOS

9

Michael

I sat on my bed with Nathan, soothing him as he cried. It wasn't often he cried, but I could tell he'd been doing it all day because his voice was hoarse and his skin was puffy.

I knew I should be mad- he had been violent, and that was our biggest no- but he was absolutely heartbroken, and confused, and just wanted to protect his siblings.

Crystal slipped into the room and sat beside us, giving my cheek a kiss. We'd spoken with Ash earlier, but both of us had been doing a ton of work and hadn't seen our phones the whole day.

"Can you tell us your side? And why you did what you did?" Crystal asked.

"Poppy was crying and I thought those new guys had done it to her, so I pulled him out his seat and was shouting like an idiot. I was gonna punch him until Poppy knocked me,"

"Is your side okay?"

"Yeah,"

"You know that violence is a huge no in our house," I said, "And we know you know that, which is why it has surprised us that you did this. We should probably be mad, but we aren't... we are worried, bud,"

His lip trembled but we kept our cool, trying not to get upset ourselves.

"Everything with your dad has affected you big time, slamming doors, and shouting, and this... and it's all happened very quickly and intensely. We don't think that you have fully worked through this in the past,"

"I don't wanna go to therapy again,"

"Why not ay? It's absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, but we don't have to tell anyone if you don't want,"

"I don't wanna go,"

"We think you should try," Crystal said, "Because what has happened is not okay, nor is it safe for people. We understand you were protecting Poppy, and we understand that you're already really mad, but this cannot be your immediate reaction,"

"It was just a mistake. I promise,"

"We would really like you to try, and it might even be a good idea if you and Bailey go together,"

"It was just a mistake," he cried, "It won't happen again,"

"Even without today's incident, you are still rapidly becoming very impacted by what your dad has done and that shows us that we need to support you better. We need to support everyone a lot better,"

"I know it's scary," I said, "But you will be just fine. We are not mad at you, we are not changing how we look at you, but it is our responsibility as your parents to make sure you're safe and happy, so this is our solution and we would like you to at least consider it, and maybe try it,"

"I don't know why I did it,"

"We can learn from this. You're not a violent person, and you are nothing like your dad, sometimes our emotions just get the best of us.  Why don't you go and talk to Bailey?"

"I'm sorry,"

We both gave him a tight hug and then he left, Crystal laying her head on my lap.

"I will talk to Poppy on the way to her physio,"

"Okay. How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay, just tired. What's for tea?"

"I was just gonna do pasta salad because I am exhausted too,"

"That's fine by me,"

"Maybe you could cook one night?"

"Nope," she said, popping the p.

I laughed and she smiled, holding my hand as it was wrapped around her waist.

"How was Bailey today?"

"She's still quite upset at Nathan but hopefully they'll talk it out. Jasper is hella hung over,"

"I don't think he's gone out before,"

"Do you know much about what Jasper and Lauren went through?" she asked, turning onto her back to look at me.

"No. Hopefully he will tell us soon,"

"You should probably cook,"

"Oh should I?"

"I'll help,"

"No, go and make sure Poppy is okay. I'll get Lauren to help,"

"You are one brave man,"

I kissed her and she got up, both of us going downstairs. While she went one way, I went to the other, scooping Lauren off the chair which sent her into a fit of giggles.

She wrapped her arms around my neck and placed a kiss on my cheek, then ran her hand down my beard and giggled again. She was always full of giggles.

"Please can you be my kitchen helper?"

"Yes!"

"Okay. There are two rules though. Don't touch anything hot, and don't do anything I haven't told you to do,"

"Okay,"

"What are the rules?"

"Don't touch hot, do what you say,"

"Good,"

I got the kitchen step out for her to stand on and then let her pour the pasta into the pans; I liked to use two instead of one big one.

"Now, this is hot so keep your hands away. Please could you find me the tomatoes in the fridge?"

I opened it and grabbed the other bits we needed, then she found the tomatoes and brought them back over.

She watched as I chopped it up, and I let her have a small go as well, but not for too long because she got distracted by the bubbling pasta.

"Did you have a good day at school?"

"It was okay. People didn't play with me,"

"Why not?"

"I am annoying,"

"You are not annoying, sweetheart! You are always positive and energetic, which is a good thing,"

"I ruin games,"

"What has made them think this?"

"I think I am too bossy,"

"As long as you let everyone take turns, or have fun, then you will be able to play just fine. Promise you will tell a teacher next time?"

"Promise,"

"Good. Please can you get me the biggest bowl you can find?"

She went into the cupboard and got one out, then I strained the pasta and put it in there. She helped me mix up everything in the pasta, then we were done, so I put it in the fridge while we got some plates.

Today the weather was really nice, so I decided to get the plastic plates and set them up outside, Cameron and Payton tagging along with the cutlery.

I wasn't sure who would come out and eat with us, but everyone apart from Nathan and Jasper came, so I served some up for them and took it upstairs to them.

"How much did you drink, Jasper?" I laughed , "Here, you need to eat. Do you want some water?"

"Yes please,"

I took his glass and filled it, then had him sit at the desk to eat. Nathan was curled up in his covers, so I put it on his beside table and playfully laid on top of him to hug him.

"Hey. Mistakes happen, we learn. You should message Alfie and see if you can work it out,"

"Okay,"

"Are you sure you don't want to sit with us all?"

"I am sure,"

"Well I will be downstairs if you need anything. I love you, bud, and I really hope you feel better soon,"