SO BAD [MXM] [MAFIA] ✓

6: BUSINESS

"I'm busy." Skylar replies, walking towards the door to lock it. He does so upon reaching it, and prepares to continue and tell Jessie some sort of excuse as to why Skylar needs to be alone. However, then Jessie continues.

"I'd rather get this out of the way sooner than later."

This actually intrigues Skylar, so he decides to ignore his desire for rest and instead just sighs, running a hand through his hair and hoping he's not about to receive bad news.

"Can't you just tell me what's going on now? I'm tired."

There's a silence, and Skylar is not appreciating the suspense. Seriously, he would much rather be unconscious right now. He has no desire to talk about anything, especially when Jessie's voice sounds almost nervous. This has him losing hope of receiving any good news.

"Alright," Jessie says, voice sounding odd still. Skylar frowns. "I got accepted to a university. I'm transferring there from community."

Skyler still doesn't understand how that is a big deal at all. So what? Since when is he supposed to care where Jessie goes to school? Is the guy trying to brag or something? Flex the fact that Skylar will never be as academically successful as him? No, that doesn't seem like something he'd do.

"Uh, okay? Congrats."

Another pause. Then, Jessie speaks again, and clears up exactly why this is such a big deal.

"It's three hours away. I'm going to be moving at the end of summer."

Skylar's heart drops to his stomach.

Skylar unlocks the door and pulls it open with a speed he didn't even know he was capable of in this state, immediately after the words leave his brother's mouth.

He finds Jessie standing there with a nervous expression on his face, and vaguely processes Ashton in the background. He doesn't even acknowledge him, already freaking the hell out. Jessie's leaving him?! With these fucking people?! Jessie has always protected him so well from their fury and impatience with him. If Jessie leaves, Skylar is so screwed.

"What? Three hours? You're fucking with me—"

"What," Jessie has pure alarm on his features, taking a step forward. Skylar sees Ashton move from the corner of his eye, but takes a minute to curse himself and his forgetfulness. Shit, he forgot the shape he was in. "The fuck happened to you?"

Skylar takes several steps back. "Doesn't matter, what do you mean you're leaving? You're- you're gonna leave me with them?"

"Skylar—"

As if Skylar wasn't stressed enough before. He begins pacing back and forth, running a hand through his hair as he freaks the hell out.

"They're gonna kick me out. Oh my god, I'm gonna be homeless—"

"What are you talking about?"

Skylar sees Ashton enter the room, finally, behind Jessie. Skylar flicks his gaze over to him just in time to catch the exact moment Ashton lays his eyes on his bruised, battered face and body. Skylar instantly averts his gaze, ignoring when Ashton walks further into the room, passing Jessie.

"Dad! I went to see him today, and he threatened to kick me out if I get into shit again. Oh my god, I'm so fucked. You are literally the only reason they haven't disowned me, I'm—"

Skylar cuts himself off when he feels his jaw get grabbed none too gently. Ashton does so, moving his head so they're making direct eye contact. The fury in his eyes actually catches Skylar off guard. His jaw is clenched, his pitch black eyes somehow turning even darker. Skylar has never seen the typically laid back (to the point where it's almost infuriating) guy show such visible hatred.