See You Next Saturday

Fragile Facades

Ezra made his way to the familiar mansion that had seen a great deal of his childhood, his mind a jumble of thoughts and emotions.

He'd missed Bruno's party the night before, something he wasn't necessarily feeling guilty about, but he dreaded the inevitable conversation with the boy.

He had promised Bruno he would show up this time, but once again, he had failed to keep his word. He imagined his friend wasn't pleased with his latest absence.

But more than anything, Ezra worried that Bruno would start to piece together the real reason behind his lack of appearances. The last thing he could afford was for him to know about Alex—he imagined the worst would happen if he did.

As much as he cared for his childhood friend, he knew Bruno could be ruthless. Most people were unfortunate to have caught themselves in his wrath, but Alex wasn't going to be one of those people—Ezra was going to make sure of it. He would protect her with his life.

That meant he had to save face and keep Bruno from suspecting anything, no matter what it took.

Ezra had long-term plans to distance himself from the boy eventually—keeping him as a friend and being there for him, but also maintaining a safe distance from him. It was going to be for his own good, but doing so subtly was his goal.

The only way he would change his ill-fated ways was by disposing of the people who held him back. The people who wouldn't welcome it if he became an improved version of himself.

Perhaps Bruno did care for him but he also preferred it when he could control him.

Ezra was famous and beloved because of his tumultuous reputation, but he hoped he wasn't too late to start making better choices. Alex's presence in his life made him feel like it wasn't.

He had been thinking a lot about his education and how he needed to start taking it more seriously, and he was determined to do it all—for himself and for her. If only Alex knew the impact she had on him.

But Ezra knew the change needed to be gentle and cautious. Bruno wasn't exactly known for his understanding nature.

When he finally reached Bruno's house, he found Bruno's mother, Mrs. Madden, standing on the kitchen balcony that overlooked the posh
suburb.

She was in her underwear, with a cigarette hanging from her darkened lips—an image he'd gotten accustomed to.

Ezra immediately averted his gaze, causing her to laugh slightly as she turned around to face him, "Oh, come on, Ezra. It's nothing you haven't seen before."

He muttered a greeting, trying to keep his eyes averted.

Mrs. Madden chuckled, her eyes scanning him with a mixture of amusement and something darker. "Bruno's not very happy with you, you know. But he's just jealous... understandably so."

She studied him as she said, somehow managing to lick her lips with the cigarette still in place.

She sauntered closer to him, her eyes scanning him up and down. "You've grown into such a big boy now. I bet you're even bigger below the belt. You were quite something even when you were younger."

Ezra felt his face flush as a wave of unpleasant memories attacked his thoughts.

"Mrs. Madden..."