As Life Goes: Gen. 5.4-Matthew

The next day Mom spent a lot of time out with her plants. She had broken down into tears when Dad got home after his attempted talk with Claudia’s mom. He said her mind was made up and that she wouldn’t let her daughter’s life be ruined by some ‘careless fuck-up’.  Dad tried to tell them that we would take the baby, but Claudia refused to be 'fat and ugly'. I needed focus. I needed order. Counting wasn’t even helping. I was restless the whole day. I constantly checked the sinks making sure there were no leaks. I cleaned everything.

I brushed Vor, twelve strokes on one side followed by twelve on the other. Kraig and Dax had both been calling and texting me, but I didn’t respond. Around 5 I got one from her: It’s done. I sat and stared at it. Why did she send that? It was bad enough she was getting done, but to text me? Frustrated I got up, and changed quickly.

“Where are you going?” Dad asked.

“I need out for a bit. Going for a run.” I left before he could say anything.

I ran hoping the air would clear my head. I kept going over that fight with her, her hateful words replayed in my head. “Someone old and rich…having a brat…” I pushed myself harder as I ran, counting each stride. I cared about her. I was her friend, her shoulder to cry on. I’d let her talk me into all sorts of things because I loved her. I was stupid, everyone tried to tell me she was bad news, a user, even Uncle Carter and Grandpa Davis told me I shouldn’t get so serious at such a young age but did I listen? No!

My pace picked up…seventy-three, seventy-four, seventy-five…I can’t believe I was so blinded by her. How could I not have seen what kind of person she really was?!...eighty-two, eighty-three… I kept running, my legs started to burn but I didn’t care. It’s done…the text popped into my head. I’d found out I was going to be a father, then lost that child in a space of twenty-four hours. “I don’t want it…” eighty-seven, eighty-eight...

I was only 17, was I really ready to be a father? Sure my parents would have been supportive and helped, but that would have been a major alteration to my life. I could have done it. I have family, lots of family. How could she just not give me a say? How was that fair? “…the manner I require…” She was nothing more than a user, an opportunist. She wanted the easy way. To marry some rich old guy and live the life of luxury. I stopped running once I reached the cove.

“She doesn’t know,” I said out loud trying to catch my breath. Laughter over took me. Claudia wanted a rich guy that would spoil her but she didn't know that's what she already had. A girl like her was not someone I needed to have in my life, or my family's life. I hated that this whole situation made my mother so sad. I wished I could go back and listen to their warnings, or not lied to my parents to spend so much time with her. There were many things I would change if I could, but unfortunately I couldn't.

The rest of the weekend I spent being extra nice to Mom. I helped in the garden watched those cheesy romantic comedy movies with her. I felt bad for how upset she still was. She'd be fine during the day, but I'd hear her crying in her room at night. Claudia’s decision upset me, but I was more pissed off at how it affected my mother. I had my role in the situation, I knew that, and I was going to do my best to make up for it. I could do that by spending more time with her and making sure she, and Dad knew how much I appreciated them.

I thought I was ready to face Claudia until Monday rolled around. I made my bed, making sure there wasn’t a wrinkle in sight. Brushed my teeth, counting to make sure I did an even number of strokes, then I checked the sink to make sure it was shut off tightly. Mom and Dad noticed I was distracted at breakfast and offered to let me stay home if I needed to, but I declined. I’d done nothing wrong. I could face her. I picked up Kraig and Dax and talking to them kept my mind off her temporarily. Dax was telling me he was glad I’d finally broke up with her. I’d not told them why, it was bad enough nothing was kept quiet in the family.

Mom never used the family’s status to do things, but she’d called Grandpa to see if he could do anything to stop Claudia. He was angry, but there simply wasn’t enough time to try, he’d said if she’d given us more notice we could have taken her to court possibly. I hadn’t been sure if I wanted to deal with all of that anyway, especially knowing the kind of person she really was. As painful as it was to admit it, but her rash decision was for the best. I’d never say that out loud to Mom though.

Second period was History, as I watched the clock tick down at the end of first period the counting started. I walked into class and took my normal seat; she walked in right before the bell rang. One…two…three…she didn’t even look at me as she walked by, bypassing her normal seat which was next to me to take one in the back. At lunch, I saw her flirting with Darrick Abe. When she saw me, she frowned before linking her arm through his. One…two…three…I just stared at them for a minute. How could I have really not see who she truly was? Dad said my ability to see auras would kick in the more I matured, but even that wasn’t a guarantee since other supernaturals didn’t always project one. There was a chance I would have never seen her true inner being had this not happened. Dax got my attention and I tried to put her out of my mind.

Senior year! I buckled down on my studies and earned a full scholarship to Bay University. I was excited to go even though I turned down the scholarship. We could more than afford to send me to college so I thought the money should go to someone who actually needed the assistance. Mom and Dad were very proud of me. Dax had joined the Air Force and would be heading off to boot camp. Kraig got a basketball scholarship to Palm State University in Lucky Palms. It was crazy to think all three of us would be going in different directions after graduation. 

I saw Claudia very little, mostly passing in the halls. She’d called me a few times after everything thinking we could be friends, which really meant she wanted me to listen to how horrible her life was when whatever dude she’d been seeing got tired of her, or her mom was being a bitch. Mom and Dad taught me to be nice, understanding, and that second chances were a good thing, but with her all that went out the window. I wasn’t rude to her, but I also couldn’t deal with her anymore. Of course she didn’t take the rejection well and whenever she’d see me talking to some other girl, she’d make a point to make some snide comment. As much as I tried to ignore her, sometimes she could still push my buttons.

Mom and Dad did have me talk to someone about my ‘anxiety’ issues. I tried to tell them it was no big deal, but Mom had been pretty freaked out that day. I still counted when things got really bad, but I found other ways to channel my nervous energy which was mostly working out. I ran and I got a membership to the local gym. The physical exertion was good for me, it cleared my head and calmed me. I still had to keep things orderly, but Mom thought that was a plus. She never had to worry about a landfill of a bedroom from me.

For my birthday I opted for a small thing with just Mom and Dad. I knew they were planning a big graduation party a few weeks later so I didn’t see the need for two. I was an official adult although I didn't feel any different.

Graduation day was great. I finished with honors, so my hard work paid off.  I was voted most likely to burn down the house, cause one small fire during Home Ec. and you never live it down.

“My baby's all grown up,” Mom cried pulling me into a hug. I saw her from the stage and she’d been in tears most of the ceremony. "What am I supposed to do when you leave?"

"I'll come home often to raid the fridge and let you do my laundry," I responded trying to make her feel better. I wasn't leaving for months, but Mom had been emotional for the last few weeks just thinking about it.

“You’re Mom and I are proud of you son,” Dad said once Mom released her death grip on me.

“Thanks Dad.” With Mom's emotional state, I wouldn't let her know I was a bit freaked out about moving as well. My entire routine was about to be thrown off and I wasn't looking forward to that.

My party was epic! My grandparents rented out the place and hired a caterer for the event. Like with all major events in the family, everyone was there. I couldn’t believe I was done with high school and in a few months I’d be moving out of the house to stay on campus. One chapter of my life had finished and I was excited to see what the next one brought.

**A/N**

Matt was actually Valedictorian, but since I wrote him as having some difficulties with his studies I just changed it to with honors instead. The photo booth got lots of action at the party. Davis/Cora, Jonas/Grace, Hope/Caleb. Starr and Nick were flirting LOL even though in my game she's his step-mom.

Family sightings: Uncle Carter with Mayra

Also Grace and Jonas celebrated their ‘1’ year anniversary but we are going with 20^th for story purposes considering their child graduated high school. LOL Here are shots from their date.

And they of course finished the night with a little woo-hoo out in the fairy house.