Fourth Stall Oneshot Collection

Vince

It wasn't that he didn't want to go to the game. It wasn't that he didn't respect or care for his best friend in the world. It was just that... This was his responsibility. Or at least, his other responsibility. When it came to the point where he had to choose between his best friend and lifelong dream and his family, he had to choose her. His mother. Mac could never understand. They just didn't live the same life anymore. Not since Mac had moved out of the park. He didn't understand, couldn't understand how much he needed this.

Mac didn't get why he had stolen from the Fund or why he had lied to his best friend in the world. And he never would. Vince understood this. He understood why Mac had been so angry, why he had felt the way he did. What he didn't understand were his own feelings. He knew that lying and stealing were wrong. He knew that Mac had a right to be mad, to accuse him of being selfish, and maybe he was. Maybe he was being selfish when destroyed their shared dream in favor of his delirious mother. But the anger he felt when Mac exposed him and the fear and anxiousness he felt leading up to it, that he could not explain. He was terrified of being found out, terrified of Mac leaving him.

He did it anyway. He didn't confess. He didn't return or replace the money. And he didn't know why. He endangered their business, their dream, even their lives by not exposing Staples. Mac didn't understand. They were different now. No longer the two friends defending their sandbox, they were now the problem-solvers, the go-getters, the epitome of 'One for all, and all for one'. Gone were the days of the retributions in the form of harsh words or light blows. Now they faced injury and, in Mac's case concerning him and Staples' car, even possible death.

Life had advanced, and so had Mac. Vince was left behind in their wake. Left to watch over his mother and her ramblings, leaving her small gifts that only enforced her delusions. Mac was then in a better neighborhood, a better house, and, questionably, a better life. Was it better to have a nice residence, or to be spared the pressure of solving everyone else's problems? Would Vince trade what he had, for what Mac had? No. He wouldn't. Even with his mother, the Fund, and Staples, there was no place he would rather be. He had earned his place, even is stealing and lying contributed to it. He had earned his life, and it was his. Mac had earned his. It was the way of life. Mac solved others' problems, and in return, lost his. Karma. That's what it was. Even if Vince's crimes had brought him bad luck, he would be sure to make up for it in the future. He would make it up to Mac, and himself.

END

Hello there! I hope you enjoyed the first installment of The Fourth Stall One Shots Collection. This is my first attempt at... Well, anything, so any kind of comment is appreciated!

Do you have any requests? Would you like to see the inner workings of your favorite character? Did I miss a topic you would like touched on? Leave a review! Each one shot is supposed to be (hopefully) 500 words each and about 12 in total.

IMPORTANT NOTE BEFORE YOU GO!

This story is also uploaded on Fanfiction.net under ArtemisGriffin. That story is one chapter ahead of this one. If you're interested in reading an analysis about Kitten, then that's the place to be. There, we investigate the definition of 'self', how to utilize your natural born abilities, and the importance of being who you are. Come on over!

Thanks For Reading!