The Bucket List

Chapter eighteen

-Aaron

Toby's hand squeezed around mine tightly and his thumb caressed mine. Even now, practically in his lap, I still felt scared. This was happening, it was going to happen. Toby wrapped his other arm around my waist and held me tightly in his side as Jackson cleared his throat. "We need to talk, about legal matters." Neither Toby or I said a thing, just pressed into each other as if we could somehow become one. "I want legal guardianship over you. It's been a month since you got out of the hospital and I've tried to think past this, but you need an adult in your life. It's been three months since you last saw your mother and it's time we talk about this."

I felt myself pale and Jackson raised his hands up in panic. "No, I'm not talking about going back to her. But come with me!"

That made me feel worse. I gave up being modest and pushed myself over Toby's lap to sit between his legs, ignoring the people around us staring. So what if we were in a public restaurant, he's my boyfriend. Toby wrapped his arms tightly around me and moved any drinks from me that I might spill. "No offense, but Aaron would benefit more here." You go Baby, tell him what's what.

Jackson sighed. "He needs to be out in school and in a safe home with an adult."

Toby stroked my hair and I kissed his chest that was exposed in his V-neck. "We already have this planned sir, we are taking this year off, then I will be returning to school with Aaron."

"He needs to start now! He's already almost missed first semester!"

Toby sighed in aggravation. "My point exactly, he wouldn't be able to catch up and he doesn't need the stress. I have already signed him into a class this summer to get him caught up on the smaller things. I also want him healthy when he returns to school, not on a testing drug."

Jackson huffed and I watched Justin elbow him. "Jackson, he's right about the school thing. Leave him alone."

You go Justin.

Jackson on the other hand, wasn't done and I sighed. "He still needs an adult to be in his life, he need to move in with me."

Toby copied my sigh. "Listen, he's safer in our small town with me than he is in a city where you're never home."

"Why doesn't he speak for himself then?" Jackson snapped.

I groaned and moved so I was facing him. "I don't want to move."

"Why?"

Idiot. "Because I'm happy here."

"You need an adult-"

I held up my hand and he stopped. "Ok, get this. I've been fine with just Toby, I don't need you." Hurt flashed across his face and I winced. "I didn't mean it like that. Why can't you just move back and call or Skype me? Toby is right, you'd never be home anyway. The only outcome with this is that id just be alone and miserable. Just leave me here and visit me."

Justin again stopped Jackson from speaking. "Babe, just listen to him. He's happy here an dragging him off the the city isn't going to make anyone happy."

"We still need to talk about your mother and this situation!" Jackson growled.

"No we don't!" I snapped. "Just drop it!"

Jackson pushed away from the table and Justin sighed. "I can't drop it! In fact, I've already found her! We are going to go see her and we are going to talk about this!"

Tears prickled my eyes at the thought of seeing my mother. I was a mistake to her, why would I want to talk to someone who was disappointed by me? "I don't want to see her!" I trembled out. "I can't see her!"