At the End of the Day

20

Chapter 20// Blue

"Bluey?" Arabella taps my arm and I look down at the girl with a small smile.

"Hmm?"

"Please, can you cut up my chicken?" She whispers shyly and I coo at how cute she is. I cut her chicken up and then look across the table to see my mum smiling at the both of us. "Thank you, Bluey." Arabella nods once I'm finished and carries on eating her dinner.

So far, everything has been okay. Apollo has stuck by my side, but he hasn't uttered a word. From the corner of my eye, I can see him clenching tightly to the fork as Cameron talks about himself as per usual. He's holding back, and I'm proud of him for doing so.

I grab hold of his hand under the table and give him a reassuring smile. A smile that he cannot return. My smile instantly drops.

"You know, being me can be quite hard. It's been a proper struggle for some days." I roll my eyes at Cameron's words. The boy has been nothing but privileged his whole life, so I have no idea what the idiot is going on about struggling.

Apollo's hand tightens around mine, and when I look at him, I can see that his jaw is clenched tightly.

"Son, I wouldn't exactly say you've struggled through life." Harrison chuckles before taking a sip of his wine. "You've never worked a day in your life." I pick my glass up and smirk behind the glass.

"So? Doesn't mean I haven't struggled with other things." He scoffs.

"Like finding your next fix," I mumble to myself, but unfortunately, it gets his attention.

"What was that, Blue?" He tilts his head and every head on the table turns to face me.

"I just said I agree with your dad." I shrug my shoulder, placing my wineglass back on the table.

"Yeah, well, when I want your opinion, I'll ask for it." He snarls and my eyes widen because he's never spoken to me like this in front of our parents.

"Hey, don't speak to her like that." Harrison scolds his son, giving him a displeased look. "Apologise." He says with a clenched jaw.

I look back at Cameron, who looks to be holding a lot of colourful words back, but eventually, he apologises. I give him a quick nod and rest my head on Apollo's shoulder, finding comfort in having him so close to me.

"Apollo, what do you plan on doing once you graduate from university?" My mother questions him and he gulps, looking down at his plate. My body tenses and I sit up straight.

"Well, since I'm doing accounting, there's a company I'd like to work for, but it's... erm... it's slightly out of town." I keep a poker face, trying not to be shocked at the news that Apollo could move away.

"Accounting? Why don't you work at my firm? I offer great internships." Harrison offers, and Apollo gives him an appreciative smile.

"Thank you, sir, I'll think about it." He nods, still avoiding eye contact with me.

I can't be mad at him for wanting to have a good future, but I'm slightly hurt that he never brought it up in conversation. When was he planning on telling me he wants to move out of town?

"How's your dad?" My eyes slowly close at Cameron's question.

"Fine."

"You sure? You two looked to be in quite a heated conversation and I saw you throwing his things out the door." I glare at Cameron as he spills Apollo's life out onto the dinner table.

"I said he's fine." Apollo grits his teeth.

I look over at my mum, to see her looking at Apollo with worry written over her face.