Not All The Same ⭐(Completed)

Chapter 16: Our Goodbyes.

If Seth had hope things might turn out a little better than yesterday, he was deadly mistaken. Yesterday proved to be much better than the next day. At least yesterday, he comforted himself with the thought of their parents not being involved in their mess and had hope he might find a way to solve things. He had spent his night thinking of Becky, of what she was probably going through. He knew perfectly well how much wrestling meant to her and being able to train at a school had been a dream come true for her. That's way he had done everything he could--even asking his father for help--so that she could apply. He couldn't imagine how he would have felt in Becky's shoes, no amount of words or kisses will be able to comfort him and he knew nothing--not even his hugs and kisses could fix that for Becky.

But all the same, he had wanted to slip out of his room and go to hers to comfort her, to hold her and kiss her, to assure her he will fix everything. But he had watched by his window the entire night, waiting for a light to spark in her room, to tell him she was there. He hadn't seen a light in her room or her silhouette to confirm she was indeed in her room. He had been afraid for a moment that Annette had somehow managed to find out about everything but then again he realised he was only over thinking things. There was no way Annette could have found out about what had happened and even though Fergal's father had told them to tell their parents so they could come the next day and discuss things, Seth couldn't gather up the courage to tell his mother anything that night. He was sure Becky wouldn't either. The possibility of her flopping down on her bed and crying herself to sleep in the dark--no matter how disheartening the image was--Seth comforted himself with it, that she was in her room, sleeping and not arguing with her mother.

The telephone rang the moment he stepped down the next day, halting him at the stairs. Fergal's father hadn't trusted them to inform their parents so he had taken it upon himself to call them. The moment Holly finished the call, she launched herself into a rant Seth has heard so many times but this time it felt different. He hated to admit it but this time his mother had a point to be angry as long as she believed Becky has indeed been taking drugs.

"You are grounded. Indefinitely," his mother declared, rubbing her temple.
"Grounded? I need to go to school. I can't be locked up in the house. I need to see Becky, I need to know how she is. . . ."

Holly slammed her cup on the table in fury, "I can't believe you're still thinking of that girl. You wanted to be wrestler, right? All these years, you've done nothing but complain I don't give you anything you want. Just when I think you're doing something right with your life, just when I thought you can be happy training at the wrestling school. . . ." She began to pace, "Do you think of what could have happened if you got expelled along with her? Thank your stars that didn't happen. Stop thinking of that girl and focus on your life."

"But mom Becky didn't do anything wrong," Seth said.

Holly grabbed her bag from the chair, waving the matter away with her hand, "I don't care. Just stay away from her and focus on your grades and become the wrestler you want to be. You're grounded and until I see some improvement in your behaviour, you're not moving out of this house." She glared at him to make sure he got her message. Seth looked down at his hands, hardly finding the will to protest. "I'm going to meet the owner of the wrestling school. I'm going to beg him for your sake so he doesn't inform the police. I won't have you getting expelled from school before you even graduate. I'm locking the door and don't you dare leave the house through the window." With the last of her warning delivered, clear and bright, Holly slammed the door behind her. Seth heard the sound of the knob locking in place.

He followed his mother's advice and kept himself in the house only because Annette's car was still parked at the house. Annette left a few hours later but Seth still stayed at home. He needed to go back to school, to talk to Mercedes and Mr. Anderson. His mother came back in the afternoon in a much better mood. It seems Fergal's father had consented to not inform the police and Holly was only glad his son won't have any problems because of Becky.
Seth ate lunch in his room and dinner was left in the fridge. When he was sure his mother was asleep, he sneaked out of his room through the window. Light was in Becky's room this time and he could see her shadow moving back and forth, something that seemed like a box, clinging to her chest. When she opened her window for him, he noticed her eyes, dull and lifeless. A sad smile graced her face as she let him in.