Home (Sciles AU)

Chapter 22

Jason POV

On this particular Saturday, Claudia comes over to my house to play, which I'm very excited about. She's my very bestest friend, so I'm always happy for her to come over. Dad is out at some work thing, so Kira is looking after to me today, and she is looking after Claudia too, since she's at my house with us. I feel bad for Dad, having to work on the weekend. The school week sucks enough. I already hate school and Dad laughs about it, telling me that it is only going to get harder. I always huff in response, not knowing how it will get harder, but wish I could be an adult and not need to go to stupid school anymore.

Claudia and I are running around the backyard, playing tag. Currently, Claudia is it. I laugh joyfully as I manage to stay ahead of her.

"No fair! You're faster than me!" I hear Claudia complain loudly from behind me, which makes me go even faster. I make my way over to the tree in the corner of the yard. I smile evilly before I start climbing up the tree. I've done it hundreds of times, so I know where exactly the perfect places are to grab on to and for my feet to stand on, which definitely gives me an advantage over Claudia. I laugh victoriously as I hear Claudia making noises of annoyance from down below as I climb higher into the tree, hiding myself in the leaves.

"Hey, careful up there, Jason! I don't want to see any broken arms!" Kira calls out from near the back door, where she is sitting, watching me and Claudia.

"I'm always careful, don't worry!" I shout back in response proudly. I have never fallen out of this tree in my life. Today won't be any different.

"No fair!" Claudia pouts as she looks up at me.

"Haha, I have won, you have lost!" I tease her playfully. Claudia grumbles and rolls her eyes, starting to move away from the tree, obviously giving up. I grin victoriously again before I start climbing back down the tree, making sure to be careful so I don't fall and break something. Once I'm down, I see Claudia walking over to the sand pit, so I follow her.

"Does anyone want lunch?" Kira calls out to us. I glance back over to her and nod eagerly.

"Yes please, Kira!" I respond excitedly.

"Me too!" Claudia calls out. Kira smiles at us and says that she will be right back before she gets up and walks back into the house again. I then start rushing to the sand pit, where Claudia is already starting to fill a little bucket up with sand. I sit down next to her and begin to dig a hole with my little toy spade. My mom always used to tell me that if you dig far enough, you'll end up in China. It sounded impossible, but I believed her, because she's my mom.

My smile slowly slips from my face as I start thinking about Mom and how much I miss her. Why did she just leave me and Dad here? Doesn't she love us anymore? Doesn't she love me? Did I do something wrong? I don't understand. I sniffle a little bit and I realize that my eyes are starting to water with ears. I silently start to cry, so I try and wipe my eyes with my arm, careful not to get sand in my eyes.

"Jason? What's wrong?" Claudia asks worriedly, obviously noticing my crying. I look up at her to see her frowning at me.

"I just sometimes really miss my mom, Claudia. She used to tuck me into bed and kiss me on the head. Sometimes she would even read me bedtime stories. Now I don't have that. I love my mom and I'm really sad that she left me and dad. I don't know why she did that. She won't even come to visit us anymore. I just feel like I did something wrong. It just doesn't feel right anymore. Families are supposed to have two parents, but I've just got Dad." I admit sadly, a few more tears rolling down my face. Claudia gazes at me sadly for a few moments before shuffling closer and gives me a comforting smile.