The Shadows Of Us

A Little Help (4/1)

It's been at least five days since Red joined this school, and two weeks since he and his mother came to the city to live and start over.
He wasn't really expecting to ever say this, but everything was going perfectly so far, and that was because his idiot and abusive father wasn't in his life no more. He slept with peace of mind without fear of being dragged out of bed or yelled at for not being awake for to serve his lazy butt, and he felt comfortable and an overwhelming sense of security in his own home, not terrified of having a bottle of wine thrown at him when all he do is just ask for food to fill his empty stomach or even asking him to play and spend some time with him.

And in the other hand, he noticed that his mother was brighter and more glowing than what he usually see her before. Her bright smile and charming laugh echoed in his ear every morning, and she would look up at him with her eyes full of love and happiness that was directed to him and only him. He felt wonderful, as if he could finally breathe the fresh air freely and fill his lungs with it without worrying about disturbing his father or making him notice his presence near him, because now he wanted to make people notice him, he wanted to make them see that he wasn't just an annoying sound to them.

"So, I was thinking-". Blue started, his voice a little too loud as usual since they were in the schoolyard, "-What if we all went to the arcade after school? They have that new fighting game, right?".

"Yeah, totally". Chimed in Yellow, "We could even stay until it gets dark. I don't know about you guys, but I'll stay at Blue's place after that".

Red, lost in his daydream about finally going to the arcade with actually friends, nodded absentmindedly. Of course he won't stay until it actually gets dark, but wouldn't it be fun to have a sleepover with one of his new friends? It's not like his mom would mind but he just didn't want to leave her all by herself, she was all he had and he was all she had, they had each other's backs and he wasn't about to leave her bored and feeling alone in that big house.

He was about to respond by saying that he'll probably go home before any of them, but then heared the sound of his phone buzzing and, shattering the moment and drawing everyone's attention. Red then took his phone out of his pocket, then saw the name 'Mom' flashing on the screen. He politely excused himself, walking to a more quiet place and hearing his friends voice's fading away as he got far enough.

"Hey, Mom!". He answered, tone bright and cheerful for hearing his mom's angelic voice.

"Hey, sweetie". His mom's voice chirped from the other side of the phone. "How's school?".

"It's okay". Red exclaimed, trying to ignore the feeling that something wasn't right, because why would she called him to ask about school, when he already know that they talked about their day at lunch every single day.

"We were just talking about going to the arcade after school".

"Oh, that sounds fun!". She said excitedly, but suddenly, and after a long silent that made Red not dare say anything, his mom spoke again, her voice crackled with a hint of weariness, "Listen, sweetie. I've got some... Important business to take care of today, so I won't be able to pick you up after school. Don't worry, I left some money under your pillow. I'll be home late, too".

Oh, it's today already? Wow, how time flies by. He completely forgot that today is the day of the trial for who will get custody of him, who the law will throw him to live the rest of his years with. Though, and for the sake of his mom, he forced a smile on his face and tried as much as possible to fake the sweetest and less scared voice he have.

"No problem, Mom. Good luck!".

"Thank you, honey. Love you, bye". His mom replied, a quick flurry of kisses echoing through the phone before finally she hung up.