Damon doesn't return with his backpack for a few minutes. I wait until I decided maybe he's not coming back. I sigh before pulling out my phone to call my mom. Thirty minutes later she pulls up in the parking lot and I get in the passengers seat looking a little disappointed.

"What's wrong, dear? Are you feeling sick again?" she asks.

"No, I just want to go home." while we're driving home mother speaks.

"Your principal called me." I close my eyes in horror. "I didn't tell your dad." I open them in hope and surprise.

"Y-you didn't?"

"Did you start the fight?"

"No,"

"Did you throw the first punch?"

"No, but I threw a punch."

"Why did you do that?' she isn't asking like I thought she would, panicked and worried. Instead she's asking slowly and calm.

"Because he was insulting my religion and was being a bully."

"Were you sticking up for someone?"

"Yes," she glances at me before getting her eyes back on the road.

"That's being a man of God,"

"B-but,"

"The bible says in Luke 10:30-37, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him." I stared at my mom in awe as her eyes began to water.

"You defending others, different from us or not, is all I could've asked for. That is being a man of God. Not what that little spawn of Satan says, what was his name Serpent?" she half-joked. I laughed out loud.

"His name was Seth." I tell her. She chuckles.

"Don't let what ignorant people say affect who you are, Tristan. People are always going to doubt and criticize us for the rest of our lives. We can only pray that they learn from their mistakes, that they are forgiven, and that God may have mercy on them." my mother is so unlike my dad. She's wise, forgiving, and understanding. If I were with dad he would've told me to fight like a man, then he would've grounded me. Speaking of consequences...

"Uh, mom?"

"Yes, son?"

"Am I, in trouble?" she glances at me again before stopping at a red light. We're nearing the grocery store.

"No, you're not in trouble. Just hope next time they don't call your dad or you will be in trouble, as a matter of fact, let's hope there isn't a next time, okay?" I smile.

"Yes ma'am."

—

When we got home, Charlotte texted me.

*hey u okay*

I text her back.

*yeah, what's up?*

*we're going to a house party, wanted to kno if you'd come. we might need some protection ;) *

I smiled at her text. I thought they'd think I was weird or scary for almost knocking out Seth, but instead they embrace and joke about it with me. I text her back and tell her I'll need to ask my mom. She suggests sneaking out. I tell her that will be plan B.

"Uh, mom," I catch her alone in the kitchen making dinner. Dad is upstairs in his study and Theresa is out with friends.

"Yes?" she asks mixing the salad. Luckily she hasn't made enough food for the three of us yet.

"Is—is it okay if I go out with some friends?"

"Where?"

"To a party," she stops and looks at me.

"Will there be drinking?"

"Well considering it's at a house with no parental supervision, probably."

"Will you be drinking?" Although I wasn't planning on drinking, I make a promise to my mom that I won't drink at the party. "What time do you think you'll be back?"

"Ten at the latest, but today is Friday." I remind her there's no school tomorrow. I can see she is thinking long and hard about her decision. Finally, she smiles.

"Be back by midnight."

"Are-are you serious?" I ask excitedly.

"Yes, go have fun, but not too much fun." I smile and hug her tightly before getting my coat and grabbing my keys. I text Charlotte.

*what's the address?*

—

a/n: I was gonna make it longer but I have to get ready for something lol. Oh and Tris' mom finding out wasn't originally planned. His dad was supposed to find out and get grounded for a month but when I was writing this happened so... yeah :) make sure to vote, comment and share! Thanks for 165 reads you guys OOOOMMMMMGGGGG