Trouble (Hijack)

Part 10

Jack sat on his bed and tuned his guitar. He'd cleaned it up and decided to start getting ready for his audition tomorrow. He was wearing his blue hoodie over his brown pajama pants. He was still pretty upset from yesterday fighting with his mom so his hood was up as he played. He finally sighed and rested his head against the headboard. He smiled when he closed his eyes and remembered last night in the woods. His chest felt light as he thought about it.

He suddenly heard a knock on his door and looked up. He saw his mom watching him.

He removed his hood quickly and sat up, "Did you need something Mom?" he asked her rigidly.

She walked in, glancing at him curiously, "I thought you'd stopped playing long ago?" she said as she sat on his bed by his feet, "It's nice to hear you play again."

He looked at his guitar and shrugged, "Hiccup introduced me to a friend who has a band and he wants me to audition tomorrow after school."

"Jack that's wonderful!" she smiled.

He smiled weakly up at her.

She could tell he was still sore from yesterday and she knew it was because of her decision. She took a breath and finally looked at him, "Jack, I'm sorry about how I acted yesterday. I shouldn't have just...sprung that on you."

He listened as she spoke.

"I saw the packets come in the mail and I just...I panicked."

"Mom...you always supported Dad and North, why won't you just let me go and try?"

"Jack...I'm your mother and I love you very much. And my first thought will always be your safety. What happened to your father was an accident, I know that. But I just can't bear the thought of losing you."

"Mom, you won't lose me."

She looked at him sadly, "I wish I knew that for a fact."

"So...you're basically saying in a nicer way today that I'm still not allowed to sign up for it?" Jack muttered.

She sighed, "Jack, I know you want to go to be like your father, but you don't have to do this to be like him. You're playing your guitar again just like he did. I just want you to find something you love and go with it. I don't want you to lose that fun-loving side of you."

"Dad never lost his." Jack said.

"I know, but...I just feel you're meant for so much more."

He sighed, "Mom...if you really don't think I should sign up, then I won't."

She smiled and nodded, "Jack, sweetie, I'm proud of you no matter what you do. And I know you'll get into college and have a wonderful time. I just want you to experience that more than anything. Make friends and have fun."

He smiled a little.

"Just don't grow up so fast, sweetie." She smiled and leaned in to kiss his forehead.

He smiled weakly, "I won't Mom." He promised.

She got up and turned in the doorway to smile at him again and he found himself smiling back at her.

"I meant to ask how your night went with your friend Hiccup." She said, leaning on the doorframe.

He smiled brighter this time, "He's awesome, Mom. He took me to a concert with some friends and...and then we all went out for pizza." He said quickly.

She smiled, "I'm so glad you're making friends Jack, and I know your father is very proud of you."

She finally turned and left and he smiled to himself, but then looked over at a picture of him and his dad. He wondered if his dad was really proud of him or if he was still disappointed.