AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She blinked a few times before a smile broke out on her face. A mixture of pride and relief filled her eyes, and something shifted within me.
Ellie’sneverbeen proud of me.
“I think that’s wonderful, Logan,” Mum whispered, steadying herself on the kitchen counter.
The tired lines around her eyes made me swallow hard, and I reached into my pocket, tugging out the wad of notes I’d counted out earlier.
“Mum, I want you to have this.”
Mum’s eyes widened as she stared at the notes, her head shaking back and forth as she gasped. “Logan, is that...where did you get that?”
“Fighting,” I admitted, offering the money to her. “Please take it. I know you need it.”
Mum closed her eyes, tears spilling down her cheeks as her hand covered her mouth. Her sob escaped her, though, and my sister wrapped her arms around her, murmuring things in her ear.
“Mum, it’s okay….” I whispered, not sure what to do. “I’m sorry….”
She lifted her head up, folding the money back into my fist with a warm smile, her cheeks still wet with tears.
“Listen,” Mum croaked out. “That’syourmoney. You keep it. Use it for your course….” Her words trailed off as she gasped again.
“Mum?” I said, moving towards her anxiously.
“No, I’m just, I’m shocked, Logan. You’ve never looked this happy… and it’s so nice to see.”
Ellie looked at me and extended her hand to mine, her eyes misting over.
“It’s Jess, isn’t it? She’s changed you.”
I took Ellie’s hand, allowing her to pull me into their hug, my arms circling them as they cried.
I swallowed down my tears and wondered why they were so happy for me for finally taking control of my life.
They’re right, though; it is because of Jessica.
My Jessica, the beautiful angel she was, had convinced me to meet with a career advisor to discuss my interests at her college. She pushed me to apply for the course and the fast-track application to retake my GCSEs.
In short, I’m in awe of her.
“I just want to be better,” I whispered as Mum gripped me tightly, wailing against my chest as I realised just how bad she’d been hurting.
“You’ll be anything you want to be once you let the anger go,” Ellie mumbled. “You’re soangry, Logan.”
Almost as if on cue, a spark fizzed in my stomach, and I was tempted to argue back, but I knew that was an issue I had to deal with on my own.
Well, not entirely, but you know. One step at a time.
“Can you blame me? No, you can’t, but you’re hurting too.” I sighed as we moved apart. “We’ve all been hurting. We all need fucking therapy.”
“Language, Logan,” Mum chided, dabbing at her eyes. “But this is so good, so, so good! You’ll be brilliant with those kids. They’ll listen to you.”
She’s right. They will. Because I’ve lived many lives in my years. It’s time to give something back.
“Does this mean you’re off the coke?” Ellie blurted out as Mum bit her lip.
“I’m trying, Ellie,” I answered honestly.
I just needed to avoid the same haunts, the usual crowds.
