Clouis: New Start

Chapter 8: Ericson's

A few weeks later (After New Years!)

It was a tough holiday season for all. The joy just seemed to be sucked from everyone. The kids and their families went through the motions of the holidays, but none felt the spirit of the season. Clementine has still yet to leave her bed. Violet has daily anxiety attacks. Louis has yet to speak since finding out his commitment to Ericson's. Mitch's parents see him turning more violent since breaking the news to him and alongside that Marlon hasn't been able to control his anger anymore. As time goes on, every parent is more sure they made the right decision in sending their child to the boarding school to get the help them need.

"I don't need to go to some stupid fucking boarding school!" Mitch would scream at his parents before slamming his dorm closed. Well, closed the best he could. He hasn't been able to have any real privacy at home since that night when he and Marlon broke his door down.

He felt weird being in his room, like somehow being in here makes him guilty of something. He and his mom had changed the sheets on his bed as well as bought him knew pillows. He took down his curtains, allowing for the afternoon sun to rain into his room. Still will all the changes, it didn't feel like his space anymore.

His father had packed up most of his clothes for his move to Ericson's. He had asked his son to do it, but Mitch never did. The duffle bag of his clothing sat at the bottom of the stairs near the door, ready for travel tomorrow morning. It was up to Mitch to pack up everything else. Whether he did or not was up to their son, but either way he was going to this boarding school.

Marlon's House

The blonde stands in the kitchen in a stare down with his parents. This was his last chance to change their minds. He knew once they were in the car tomorrow morning, there would be no turning back. "You don't need to send me. I'm fine," he tries to convince them.

"Marlon. Like we've said before. This is what's best for you right now," his mother responds. It's the same thing he's heard since they broke the news to him.

"Bullshit," he also shouts back. They would only shake their heads in response. This is what is best for their son, whether he can see it or not.

His father sighed. "Marlon. Go pack your stuff or me and your mother will have to do it for you." Marlon rolled his eyes and rushes upstairs. With nothing else to do, he gave into his father's wishes and began packing his suitcase.

Violet's House

Unlike the hot headed boys, Violet was compliant. She had packed her bags days ago. Not only that, but she had emptied her room completely. The sheets were removed from her bed, the walls bare of photos and posters, and her desk was cleared out entirely. The blonde had been curled in a ball, sitting in the center of her room for days. Her mother would bring her food every once in awhile and make small talk with her.

Ms. Skye never questioned her daughter. She let Violet cope the way she wanted to until leaving for boarding school. The last thing she wanted to do was push her further down the black hole her daughter fell into.

During her last night home, Violet's mother brought her a plate of chicken nuggets, her favorite! Anne sat on the ground next to her daughter, putting the plate in front of her. "Look what I made you," she quietly says to Violet.

The blonde's lifeless eyes stare at the dinner on the floor. "Thanks, mom," she relies. There's no emotion in her response. There hasn't been for awhile.

Violet slowly reaches out for the chicken and cautiously brings it to her mouth. "Everything packed for tomorrow?" she asks her daughter, who nods in return. They sit in silence for a bit as Violet eats her dinner. Anne longs for time with her daughter, especially since she'll be leaving soon.