The Ages of Charming

Life Choices

For almost a year now, I've been deciding on what I should do with my life. Go down a long path that could possibly get rocky from time to time, or, leave the state and make something of myself. I have pondered on for a long time now but I still don't know which path I should take.

Abel!

Snapping fingers in my face made me come back to realization,

Emily:"What's wrong?"
Me:"Nothing, just got lost in thought."
Emily:"Are you okay?"
Me:"I'm fine just thinking."
Emily:"Well you need to focus, final game is tonight before graduation."
Me:"Yea.."
Emily:"That's it. Abel I want you to talk to me."

My eyes trailed towards the tile floor,

Me:"Fine. I don't know what I want to do Em. I know I should leave Charming but my gut is telling me to stay.."
Emily:"It's your life Abel, you can do anything you want. Why is your gut telling you to stay?"
Me:"I feel something very bad is about to happen, and I can not shake the feeling."

She was quick to grab my hand and hold it close to her, my focus went to her.

Emily:"Whatever your choice is, I will be by your side."
Me:"That's the thing Em, I don't want to ruin your life."
Emily:"Abel, we've been together since sophomore year. You are my life babe."

Staring deep into her eyes, I noticed them slightly sparkle. Smiling softly I then nodded,

Me:"You've been my life since I first laid eyes on you. Are you sure about this?"
Emily:"Believe me, I thought about it for awhile. I am sure."
Me:"Alright."
Kenny:"There you are Abe."

Looking over my shoulder, there stood Kenny.

Me:"Something wrong?"
Kenny:"Yes, it's Tommy. Those damn bullies again."
Me:"Excuse me for a moment Em."

In a swift motion she had let go of my hand, standing up I then followed Kenny.

Me:"What's going on now?"
Kenny:"You know how the science fair was the other day? Yea they didn't like how Tommy took home first prize."
Me:"What's so wrong with being smart?"
Kenny:"Nothing, you know how kids are."

Straight ahead I could see Tommy pinned against the lockers with three out of the numerous bullies. Picking up my pace, I shoved the bully out of Tommy's face and watched him tumble to the floor.

Me:"You three need to scram."
Tyler:"Fuck you Abel! This is between us and that nerdy freak!"
Me:"You need to watch your tone. This nerdy freak is my little brother. You mess with him then your messing with me!"

Tyler scrambled to his feet then found his way towards me, we stood there glaring down one another.

Me:"Hit me if you want but you will not win."
Tyler:"You should be helping us! I know you don't like the freak!"

That was the final straw for me and I began swinging. Tyler fell onto his back with his hand over his nose, I knelt down getting mere inches from his face, anger seeped through my gritted teeth.

Me:"I care a hell of a lot for Thomas. Rather he was a jock or whatever he will always be my brother. I told you to leave him alone and what do you do? Torment him relentlessly! I catch you around him again or even catch wind of it, a bloody nose won't be what you will receive the next time. Don't fuck with my family!"

I stood up then grabbed Tommy's arm pulling him with Kenny and I.

Thomas:"Abel...thank you."
Me:"Your my brother Tommy, I will always be there for you."
Thomas:"You shouldn't have done that, you could get in trouble."
Me:"And? What was I supposed to do? Just stand there and let you continue getting bullied? No, I did what I was supposed to do and that's it."
Kenny:"Yea besides we need to leave anyways."
Thomas:"Leave? We have over an hour left before we can even go home."
Me:"Tommy shut up."

Silence took over but he still followed us. Getting into Kenny
Kenny's truck, he then pulled out of the schools lot to head home, or so I thought we were heading home. After a long moment, I spoke up.

Me:"Where are we going, Ken?"
Kenny:"TM."
Me:"What?! Are you insane! Addie will kill all three of us for ditching the last hour."
Kenny:"No, she won't Abe so relax."

Rolling my eyes lazily I already knew exactly the reaction Addie will have. Kenny pulled into the lot of TM only to park beside Ope's truck. The three of us climbed out of the truck and soon enough here comes an angry Addie.

Addie:"Why the hell aren't you three in school? This I had expected from these two, but Tommy? What is going on?"
Me:"Bullies. They wouldn't leave Tommy alone so I handled it."
Addie:"Tommy.."
Thomas:"I'm okay Addie."
Addie:"Okay since you three are here I might as well put you to work. This is your punishment for leaving school grounds."

Right on cue, us three groaned about her decision. She was right, we did leave school grounds and do deserve punishment for it.

Walking inside the house, my eyes felt heavy. I knew I was exhausted. Working all afternoon and then running all over the football field tonight, I can barely feel my legs.

Addie:"Next time you will learn. Go upstairs and shower."

I nodded as a response before disappearing upstairs.

Thomas's pov

I've sat on the couch since we made it home. Addie walked out of the kitchen with Ope who both looked at me,

Me:"Don't be so hard on him Addie, he did defend me."
Addie:"I'm not mad about that, I'm mad about you three leaving school grounds when it wasn't time to."
Me:"I know... I'm sorry.."

Addie sighed then sat beside me.

Addie:"It's okay. I get it, bullies suck."
Me:"They really do...when Abel and Kenny leave, I don't know what I will do without them.."
Addie:"I do. I believe it's time you learn how to defend yourself."
Me:"Come on Addie, we all know I'm not a fighter."
Addie:"No you're not, but you need to learn anyway."
Me:"Who is teaching me?"
Opie:"I will."
Me:"You will?"
Opie:"Of course, you think Addie was always a fighter? No, I helped her learn as well."

I looked to Addie in disbelief but she only nodded.

Me:"Uncle Ope taught you?"
Addie:"He did. He'll teach you everything you'll need to know."
Me:"Okay I want to learn."
Opie:"We'll begin this weekend."

The front door opened and in walked Kenny.

Addie:"Now you come home."

Kenny chuckled,

Kenny:"I know it's been awhile ma, I'm here to pick up Abel."
Addie:"Why?"
Kenny:"We have a double date tonight?"
Addie:"Shit! I completely forgot."
Kenny:"It's okay, is Abe upstairs?"
Addie:"He is, don't bring him hone too late."
Kenny:"I won't."
Addie:"Alright well enjoy yourselves."