The Grey

Underwater

The dining table was silent and Noah had barely touched his food. He also didn't lift his head and always stared at his plate, but his grandparents didn't seem to mind.

The last night conversation still made him gag, but Noah still wasn't sure if he should believe it or not.

As always, he offered to wash the dishes at the end of dinner but his grandmother refused, saying it wasn't necessary.

— So I'm taking to take the dog for a walk. – he murmured unwillingly, already walking towards the door, but stopping when heard his grandfather speak.

— You can not go. – he looked at his grandfather for a while but the man didn't look at him, he continued to be engrossed in the news on TV.

— Why not?

— It’s late.

— But I always took him for a walk at this time.

— Don't argue, Noah. – he heard his grandmother say but didn't pay attention.

— Why can't I go? – the grandfather finally looked at him.

— Because I said no.

— I want you to give me a real reason.

— Noah! – the grandmother scolded, but once again she was ignored.

— I don't need to justify anything to you, Noah. You live under my roof, eat the food and wear the clothes I buy. As long as you depend on me, I command and you obey without me giving you reasons, understand?

Noah stared at his grandfather for a few seconds, then laughed in disbelief, but didn't say anything else. He left his grandparents in the kitchen to go up to his bedroom, slamming the door loudly. He took his phone out of his pocket, checking the time. 8:35 pm. He knew his grandparents slept early and always went to bed around 9pm.

He took a deep breath. Both his mind and his heart told him he must rebel in some way. Noah went to the window, opening it to look at the lawn outside. There was a small balcony at the kitchen door, which was below his bedroom, so it didn't seem like it would be too difficult to jump over.

He picked up his phone again, opening the messages and looking for Will's number.

“Are you home? Or are you still in New Jersey?"

It was the first time Will took a long time to respond.

"I'm home, I just arrived" the message came without any smiley face, as usual.

“You can go out?"

"Yeah why?"

"Do you want to go to the dam later?"

"Later? Can't it be now?"

"My grandparents won't let me go out now. I can only go later. Around 9:30 pm."

Once again Will took a long time to respond.

"They won't let you go out now but you can later? -.-'"

"Actually, I'm waiting for them to sleep so... but if you can't that's okay"

"I can, I just didn't understand..." for some reason Noah felt uncomfortable with that conversation. Will looked different.

"Are you mad? Is it because I didn't answer you?" a few minutes passed and Noah didn't receive any response. "I'm sorry if that's why. Some shit happened..."

"I'm not mad" Noah didn't feel any truth in that message but he soon received another, completely changing the subject. "You drink alcohol?"