Game Over: Life's Over

The Secret's Out Now

Once we got back home, I secluded myself to my bedroom. I wanted to be alone after the debacle at the restaurant. I didn't want Mom to try and sugarcoat what Jenna had said. There was no point.

I finished packing most of my clothes into boxes and labeled them all for my new bedroom. At least I could unpack the first day or two I was at Eric and Theo's.

My phone started buzzing on the top of my dresser as I stacked my boxes on top of one another. I glanced at it and it showed Alex's name and face.

I really didn't want to talk to him.

I ignored the call and kept looking for things to pack up. I grabbed a few pairs of shoes I knew I wouldn't need and I stuck them in their own box.

My phone started buzzing again and, again, it was Alex calling. I stared at it as it buzzed a few more times before it stopped and things were silent again.

He kept calling. My phone went off again and his name popped up on the screen.

Fed up with the constant buzzing, I answered and put the call on speaker. "What do you want, Alex?"

"Jake, I wanted you to know it wasn't me. I didn't say anything."

"Then how'd Jenna find out?"

He was silent for a few seconds before he spoke. "I-I didn't think she'd say anything. I made her promise to keep it to herself."

"Whole lot of good that did."

"Jake-"

"No, you don't understand. You have no fucking idea what I'm going through. This isn't some joke or some gossip. This is my fucking life, Alex."

"Jake, I didn't mean to-"

"It doesn't matter what you meant. What's done is done. And you know what? So is our friendship."

"You can't be serious. I wasn't even-"

"I'm dead serious. I'm not some joke you can tell your girlfriend for a good laugh."

"This is stupid. What are you gonna do without me? It's not like you have any other friends you can talk to."

"A good friend wouldn't do this. I don't want you in my life if you're gonna treat me this way. Bye." I hung up the phone and turned it off. I really didn't need any more insults or excuses. What was done was done.

My secret was out.

Who knew how many people knew? I certainly wasn't telling people about my mutation. I was hoping it wouldn't have been Alex but clearly, he didn't care about me enough to keep my darkest secret private.

I sat down on my bed and stared at the boxes that filled my room. I only had two days left before I had to move. Two days to fill with memories with Mom and my childhood home and the town I grew up in. It didn't seem long enough. Yet I was ready to get away from all the rumors and jokes and high school drama.

I hated that things were going so sour so close to when I was leaving. I didn't want to remember my old life as being bad and awful and full of painful memories. I wanted to remember playing football and video games with Alex and all the sleepovers we had when we were young. I hated that it was all going to be washed away like it didn't mean anything.

"Jake, do you need any help packing?" Mom walked into my room. She had her hair pulled back which meant she meant business. She was ready to get to work packing.

"Mom, I... Not now." I didn't want to clean. I just wanted to wallow.

"Honey, I know this is a big change for you and I-"

"That's not- I just..."

She sat down on my bed beside me. "What has you all worked up?"

I hunched my shoulders. "Alex... he's the reason Jenna and probably the whole school knows what's wrong with me."

She was quiet as she processed what I said. She reached up and ran her fingers through my hair. "I don't think there's anything wrong with you."

"You're only saying that because you're my mom."

"Not entirely. I think you have new challenges to deal with and face but I don't think it means there's anything wrong with you."

I leaned into her and put my head on her shoulder. "I don't think I would hate moving so much if you were coming with me. I know I was dying to move out and get away when I turned eighteen but now that things are different, I don't want to be so far away from you."

"It's only a few hours. I can come visit you whenever you miss me or need me."

"But you have work."

"Only during the week. I'm going to cut back and make sure I have time for you. I'm not going to be as busy as I am now."

"I don't want you to do that because of me."

"You're my son, Jacob. I'll do whatever I need to to make sure you're happy."

"Do I have to pack tonight?"

"I think you've done most of it already. Take a break for a while. We can start back up in the morning."

I nodded. I turned on my TV and scooted back on my bed.

"Do you want me to stick around or do you want some space?"

"Can you stay? I could use the company."

"Sure, honey."

"Actually, um... do you think we can make some stuff to eat? Like some pizza rolls and those mac n cheese bites I like?"

Mom smiled. She loved to pig out just as much as I did. "Sure. Come help me. You can get the drinks."

I was really going to miss spending time with Mom once I moved. We never got to do it enough as I got older and her job got busier. I just hoped we could continue it whenever she could visit me. Or vice versa.