He’d hoped to have gotten out of this. Even hoped to just expose his mother for the person she really is, except Andrea Katherine Moore-Grace has other plans. Doesn’t she always have a plan? One such plan just so happens to involve her sitting two tables away, watching with defiant scrutiny. She’s not about to let him ruin what she’s spent years building up. Selfish as usual. Nothing changes. He’d get up and leave if he knew she wouldn’t make a scene. Across from him, Matthew is just as uncomfortable if not agitated. After all, she did follow them in. Thank goodness, she didn’t have any more kids after me.

“Does your mom follow you everywhere?”

“Surprisingly, this is actually the first time she’s done this since I became an adult.”

“High school too?”

“I was abroad so no.”

“I’m surprised it’s her and not like your dad or brother.”

“My dad isn’t considered capable of taking care of me. And my brother is away for the time being.”

“Away?”

“Yeah, he never really says what’s going on though.”

“You’re sure, because my aunt was adamant I not screw this up or your brother might kick my ass.”

“I don’t know how he could if he’s out of town. Maybe she saw someone who looked similar to me somewhere.”

“But then who’s this?”

Alex lifts a brow and waits for Matthew to turn his phone around revealing several pictures of Alex after he left his parent’s home and went back home. There’s even a clip of what sounds a lot like Marie and Aaron arguing over whether or not it’s him. What the actual fuck? Did she follow me? What kind of creep? There’s an aggressive smirk on Matthew’s face when Alex looks back up at him. Like he knows something Alex doesn’t want him to. I could say I don’t know shit, but she made a point to get the license plate in the photos. Shit. Something says things are about to get ugly in a matter of seconds.

“Kind of weird though, because you never came out after that.”

“Yeah, ummm, I’m staying with some people who know my brother, but I don’t really come out much since I have my own things to worry about.” Some of us have lives. That don’t involve stalking people.

Alex is yanked violently from the booth. He’s not even allowed to get his bearing before something cold and stick is poured over him. More than once. As though someone went out of their way to set this up. All he can hear is laughter. Echoing and singing in his head. When he tries to walk his foot slips and he tumbles to the linoleum. This is what I get for living. I fucking knew this was a bad idea. And I’m the one taking the fucking heat for it. It’s never her. He struggles a bit more, gripping onto the diner table in order to finally get to his feet. The laughing sounds like howling now. Like a pack of stupid wild dogs who have nothing better to do than torture their prey. It’s near impossible to get whatever they dumped on him out of his eyes as he heads for the door. Careful of any other patrons or employees. Right behind him are his mother and Matthew with his friends. The latter still insulting him. Calling him a fraud and a liar. They’re also still laughing. It’s a miracle they can see to stalk behind me. He’s not surprised no one’s tried to help him. Not even his own mother. And he’s pretty much decided if this is how she’s going to be then he might as well just be on his way. Making his way to her car to grab his belongings from inside.

“Where are you going?!”

“Anywhere you aren’t! I’m so fucking tired of dealing with this shit! I’m drenched in god knows what and you’re getting mad at me for leaving! You can’t be fucking serious! And you!”

Alex’s glare turns to Matthew and his friends.

“You and your aunt are a piece of fucking work! This little stunt is something children do, which obviously all of you still are! Your aunt needs help because stalking someone home is a crime! That and she can’t dress to save her fucking life! So is aggravated assault! As for the rest of you, you might want to get some DNA tests going because it looks like there’s a lot of inbreeding going on in your families. Maybe even get some other tests done to make sure there were no birth defects besides being ugly. It’s no wonder that all of you are single as fuck! I wouldn’t date baby hyena’s either!”

“You’re the one wearing the dress gay boy.”

“And your next sentence will cost you.”’

Alex blinks in surprise, shocked that not only is Aaron here, but he’s defending him as well. Usually it’s the two of them fighting.

“Of course one of you heathens would show up. Don’t you have a prison sentence to be serving?”

“Not yet. But if the Alabama crew here says something I will. Might even hit you too because, why not?”

Andrea’s face sours. With limited vision Alex smiles just a little. Someone’s wiping his face free of what was dumped on him with towel or cloth. Other than that, it’s quiet. Dangerously quiet. Aaron can be heard shifting his weight from one foot to the other. Waiting to see if any of them are bold enough to tempt him. That’s been his thing lately. Or so it seems. Alex can’t really tell anymore since aaron’s been pretty angry the last several days. Everyone’s pretty much stayed out of his way. Alex, himself, included.

“You’re just going to let him talk to me like that?!”

“You’re a big girl. Deal with it on your own. Isn’t that what you always tell me.”

“I gave you life!”

“Then take it back. It’s rather useless to me. What with not being able to live it how I want.”

“You insolent little-!”

“The threat still applies, Andrea. Even if you aren’t part of the I fucked my cousin group.”

“That’s sweet, you’re bonding. So why haven’t the five of you left? Pretty sure at least two of you got fired. Andrea, we can take Alex home. He’s made himself quite clear on how he feels about you.”

“He my son!”

“That you treat like a dress up doll because your chromosomes fucked up. You don’t consider him your son. He’s only your kid when it’s convenient. Alex, get in the van.”

When attempting to protest, Bryant simply turns him and shoves him towards the van. Aaron waits a bit before following them and getting in himself. The sliding door slams shut as Bryant climbs back into the front passenger seat. They’re halfway down the street when Alex finally bursts into tears. Sobbing hard enough to choke up his breathing every now and again. No one says a word. None of them have ever seen him this upset. Not that it matters to them. It’s not really their job to make him feel like shit. No matter how angry he can make some of them.

“Can I just ask why it now smells like lemonade in here?”

“No you cannot. You can shut the fuck up and keep an eye out for Marie.”

“For what? She’s the one who keeps disappearing.”

“Ella said she showed up to school and not even ten minutes in was called to the main office. Was told to bring her belongings too. After that she didn’t see her for the rest of the day. Or week.”

“She’s legally not our responsibility.”

“No she’s not. She’s our friend. The same way we just helped Alex is the same way we should help her. She trusts us even though none of us have ever given her reason to.”

“Still not out problem.”

She’d d-do the s-same for us.”

Aaron pats Alex on the head, forgetting he’s coated in layers of lemonade. Probably with added sugar.

“Let’s just get you home so you can wash this off.”

“I want to go with you.”

He’s not entirely sure why he suddenly wants to make sure she’s okay. Not even sure what prompted him to even come to her defense. Especially, since all he’s done is bully her. Literally putting her down every chance he could get. Maybe looking for someone slightly weaker than you to pick on. She’s always been an easy target for you. Since you don’t actually have the courage to stand up for yourself. Pathetic. The thoughts sting and he can only imagine what she thinks of him. He catches the way they eye him between sniffles. They know what he’s done to her and are probably just as confused as he is about his sudden attitude towards her just as he is. Still, they remain quiet. They’ve no need to say anything. At the end of the day they all know she’d do the same for them. And that’s all that really matters.