Homebound (BoyxBoy)

Chapter 30

Mom & Dad,

I know you don't want me to go to the trial. I know that I promised not to do anything crazy. I know I lied to you the past few months with everything with Javi and I'm sorry. I want to earn your trust again and after this, I will try my best, but I need to go. I need to see them one more time and see what they're saying and I can't possibly do that when I'm in this house. I have to go to the trial and hear the lies and figure out what really happened 15 years ago. I know you'll be mad and disappointed and I expect that and after this, you can yell at me and be angry. But now, I'm doing this for me and I need you to understand. I'm sorry. -Blaine

I write out on a piece of notebook paper. I read back the words that I scribbled out without thinking and I'm shocked. Did I really address Lukas and Paige as 'Mom' and 'Dad'? I go to change it on a different piece of paper, but I check the time to see that if I don't leave soon, then I won't be the first person at the courthouse like I've planned.

I let out a sigh as I grab the paper and start making my way out of my room with my backpack swung over my shoulders. It's a school night, which means everyone's gone to sleep already and I most likely won't be stopped by anyone on my way out. I know that Lukas and Paige will be mad that I'm skipping school for the trial, but I graduate in a few months, which means that a few days shouldn't affect me too much, especially with how good my grades have been.

I take my time on the stairs, making sure to step in the spots that don't creak. Once I'm securely off the stairs, I rush into the kitchen as quietly as possible because the last thing I need right now is to wake Javi in the living room. In the kitchen, I set the note on the countertop where it'll be seen as soon as someone walks in and I hope that it's not Liza, Wynter, or Jackson because I don't want them to know what's going on through a note not addressed to them.

Once the paper's set and it's time for me to leave, I make my way down the hallway until I'm in the living room. The TV is playing some late-night news show, making Javi's body on the couch light up to show me that his eyes are closed and he appears asleep. There are empty takeout boxes surrounding him along with soda cans that're half full and blankets that we've been switching out for him. I don't take time to dwell on my grieving boyfriend and instead, focus on trying to be as quiet as possible as I move towards the front door.

All I need to do is get out that door and I should be in the clear. No one will even know I'm gone and no one can try to stop me.

"Where are you going?"

Well, fuck.

I turn on my heel to see Javi's eyes open and he's now sitting up more than he was a few moments ago. His eyes are focused on me and they roam around to see the bag slung over my shoulder and my keys that're pressed in my hand. As soon as he sees that, he sits up even more and sends me a confused look. With one more glance my way, he lifts his wrist to look at his watch and that's when it dawns on him. "You're going to the trial."

I don't hesitate before nodding my head, crossing my arms over my chest and facing him. "Yeah, I am."

"Blaine," he whispers in an exasperated voice, running a hand through his hair. "we'll get updates every hour about what's going on. You won't be left in the dark, okay? I know that that's what you're worried about, but you don't need to be. We'll know what's happening and what they're saying and-"

"No, I won't," I snap at him, trying my hardest to not let my anger shine through, but it's early and I just woke up. I'm stressed as fuck about what's going to happen today and about seeing my mother for the second time since this all happened and seeing my father for the first time since we got separated. "I won't know what's going on because I won't be there. I need to know what's happening, Javi. They'll be talking about me. About my life and lying about it. I need to know what happened or I'll never be free. I'll never be sane."