TW - mention of past neglect
Paul is in PSHE with Miss Campbell, she's set a new homework task to complete, "Ask your guardians about their family, learn more about your famillies!" For Paul, thus meant learning more about Eddie rather than his 'family' considering he didn't know half of them
The bell rings and everyone jumps up, ready to go home, Miss Campbell dismisses them and Paul meets up with Eddie in the car park "Alright bud?" Paul nods, seemingly quiter than usual. Paul heads into the passenger seat and Eddie asks, "Whats up" he gets a brushed up reply from Paul, "Nothing". Eddie shrugs it off as just a 'bad day'
They arrive home and Paul throws his stuff to the floor and rushes up to his room, being careful not to slam the door because he knows what is uncle was like. He doesen't even bother to change and he lays straight on his bed, figuring out in his head how he could ask Eddie about his birth family but there feels like theres no right way. Hes in his own thoughts ehen hears a knock and he jolts upwards as Eddie walks in. "I'm making pasta alright?" Paul nods and gives a slight smile as Eddie exits again.
Paul throws on some pyjama bottoms, not daring to look at his thighs. He then swaps his shirt for some band tee that Eddie listens to. He then hears his name getting called, nows the time to ask but will he even be able to find the right words?
Paul rushes down the stairs and sits at the table, he moves slowly through his meal and Eddie asks, "Bad day?" Paul shrugs, trying to find the words and courage. "Eddie i've got a homework project and-" he stops and gives a faint smile and Eddie gives me a confused look, "And?'. Paul shrugs and begins to speak again, "I need to know about your family...parents..if you've got siblings." He puts his fork down and crosses his arms staring right back at Eddie who has a suprised look on his face.
"Oh well- erm" he clears his throat as Paul watches intently "Interesting people they are..nothing like me" he giggles but turns stern when he sees Paul isn't laughing but waiting to write something down "Go on..?" Paul says, wanting this all to be over. "I don't really talk about them alright" he doesen't shout but his voice is stern so Paul flees back to his room wishing he'd never asked, he knew it would turn out like this.
A few minutes later, Eddie knocks on Pauls door and walks in, shutting the door behind him "Sorry I didn't mean to shout or get angry-" Paul hugs Eddie tight giving him an 'apology accepted' look.
"They weren't the best growing up, so it's hard to talk about it. But, I'll try for you, okay son?" Paul nods understanding exactly what he means, the pair sit on Pauls bed, backs to the wall, Paul leans into Eddies side, excercise book on his lap and pen in his hand, ready to listen to Eddie when he's ready.
Eddie takes a breathe before saying, "My mum, she was erm yeah, she was the best out of them. She was a stay at home mum she was nice enough-" he shrugs and smiles at Paul who's written down very little. He's nodding away when he comes to a stop and looks back up at Eddie. "Nice enough?" Eddie speaks again in a more saddened tone, "My dad- he was a dick..excuse my language. He was a buisnessman I think that says enough. He made me feel different from our family, made me feel weak when I showed emotions...when you and I both know crying doesen't make you weak. Constant comparing to my older brothers"
"You've got brothers?" Paul says curiously as he stops writing, wanting to listen fully. "Yeah two.." "What were they like?"
"Just like my dad but worse" he giggles, trying to be able to cope with all the memories flooding back. "They'd shove me and stuff use me as a punching bag - even when I did nothing wrong my ma always told me to stop winding them up, I never understood though coz well I hadn't done anything, 'ad i?" His voice breaks and he wipes his eyes abit. Paul leans into a hug knowing exactly what it meant, "Its not your fault yknow? They sound horrible" Eddie says nothing, just keeps hugging paul, occasionly wiping his eyes and taking a deep breathe.
Paul scribbles out his writing and says, "I'd rather get a detention anyway..I love you" Eddie replies with a shaky voice, trying to compose himself, "I'll make sure you don't get one alright? Love you too bud."
