The First Punch [t.h.]

Chapter 17 - Finding Home

Tom lets out a breath through his nose, leaning against SJ's door as he runs his hands over his face and through his hair. His eyes are squeezed shut and he's fighting every ounce of him not to walk back in that room. The look she gave him was enough to shatter him. She looked at him as if he just betrayed her in the worst way possible and in a way, he did. He said and promised he wouldn't leave but he did. However, SJ isn't fair to him and sometimes, the right thing to do is to walk away.

With a deep breath, Tom pushes away from the door and heads for the stairs. He hesitates walking down, hoping SJ will open the door. He might be walking away but she's also letting him and it hurts. A small part of him is almost relieved SJ has the respect to let him walk if he wants but that small part is outweighed by the guilt, assuming she can let him walk because she's her own mess of shattered glass right now. So, it's with a heavy heart that he peels his eyes from her door and starts walking down the stairs.

Mikey, Matty, and Harrison are seated in the living room, all three of them turning the second they hear someone coming from upstairs. Their eyes land on Tom and he pauses for a few seconds, the air stiff. It's written across their faces that they probably heard everything that was said between Tom and SJ and it just makes Tom's stomach turn but he can't take it back. That's the thing with words. Someone can apologize all they want, but it doesn't take back what they said. There's no rewind. Now, Tom's left having to face them as he finishes descending and moving to the couch. Harrison prepares to get up but Tom just sits next to him. The other boys all look at Tom with pure confusion, brows raised and eyes slightly narrowed.

"What?" Tom asks, looking between them all.

"You said you were leaving..." Matty says.

"Yeah," Tom says, looking to his hands and back to him. "The situation. Told her I wasn't gonna leave and I won't but I'm not gonna be someone she's gonna scream at or use to get over whatever she's going through. So, I'll be here when she wants to talk."

Matty cracks a smile and turns to look at Mikey. Regardless on if SJ will say it or not, Tom means the world to her and her friends know that. While Tom and SJ were arguing Matty and Mikey were busy questioning what they were going to do if he left. They'd have to not only pick up the pieces SJ's mom so gracefully destroyed but also the new pieces Tom would leave behind. They'd do it because they're her friends and that's what friends do, but they were hoping they wouldn't have to. SJ deserves someone who will stay even if she isn't always a deserving person.

Mikey leans forward, expression showing his skepticism. "Why?" Mikey asks.

"Why what?" Tom questions.

"Why are you willing to just give her the chance to talk? She took out everything her mom is bringin' up, on you. She uses you, like you just said. We heard the argument, every word of it so why are you staying?"

With Mikey's question, Matty and Harrison turn their attention to Tom who's just staring at Mikey with furrow brows and his mouth in a straight line.