Chapter 5

Zeke's P.O.V

"Ezekiel Roman Hernandez, smile for goodness sake" my mum warns me. She has a sweet smile too bad it's fake. She just signed a new deal with a company and they're taking photos of the family.

I fake a smile as it's something that I'm already used to.

"Move closer to each other, you all look like you're not a real family," the photographer says gesturing towards my mum, dad, and me to stand closer to each other. The photographer wasn't wrong, we weren't like a real family. It wasn't always like that, my dad and mum were madly in love, they even went against her parents' wish and got married, which resulted in my family being cut out of the will but a few years ago my mum made up with my grandparents and that was when we moved to this town, things changed since then. My mum became a rich money-making machine with the backing of her parents and my dad lost his job because of the move, the two started fighting every single day it's a surprise that they're still together, personally I think it's because my mum is trying to keep an image of a happy family, it helps her make more money. The only thing that keeps me sane is my art and friendship with Nathan and Emily.

Speaking of them, the two are going through some messed-up things right now. Nathan's mum is battling for her life and I have no idea what's wrong with Emily but something has been off since yesterday, too bad she wouldn't talk to me about it.

"Ezekiel I said you should smile, if you're not going to try then just go it looks like you have better things to do"

"Thanks, mum see you later, love you" I kiss her cheek, wave my dad goodbye, pick up my bag and make my way to my car. Don't get me wrong I know she was being sarcastic but you gotta take a chance when you get one.

I get into my car and start driving to the hospital. I haven't had the chance to visit Nathan's mum and I think now's the best time. 

As I arrive at the hospital, I immediately notice Nathan and Emily walking through the halls 

"Hey," I say as I match strides with them. 

Emily looks at me and has a relieved expression on her face with a hint of something that I can't read.

"You made it. What happened to the thing with your mum?"

I shrug 

"It ended early, are you heading to see your mum?" I ask Nathan

He Shakes his head

"We're going to see a doctor, since you're here the two of you can go together, I'll go and meet my mum"

Then he turns to Emily

"Make sure you ask him," he tells her and then turns around.

"Ask me what?" I ask 

She avoids eye contact with me

"Um let's see a doctor first" 

"Why do you need a doctor?" 

"I'll explain everything later," she says and I decide to let her talk when she's ready. Maybe it has something to do with what has been bothering her.

We walk into a room in the hospital, Emily seems to know one of the doctors well, she tells him something and then he leads us to an empty ward, he asks me to leave while he performs some tests and I oblige. 

After a few minutes, the doctor goes out and I walk in.

"What was that all about?" I still have no idea why she needs a doctor

"The doctor is a close family friend, he gives my dad and me free check-ups"

So that part makes sense but why does she need a checkup?

"Why do you need a check-up?"

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about, can you please sit down"

"Okay" I seat beside her, she nervously cracks her knuckles and bites her nails.

"Before I ask you what I'm about to ask you, know that you have the right to say no, nothing is forcing you to say yes, we would still be friends even if you say no"

Why do I feel like she's about to ask for my kidney

"What do you want to ask? You're scaring me"

She shakes her head and folds her hands 

"I'm sorry it just feels weird to ask for this, you know what. Maybe I should just not ask" she turns to the other side 

"Calm down okay? Ask me, I'm not a stranger, I'm your friend"

She turns to me and looks down, avoiding eye contact with me again

"Okay so the thing is my dad borrowed money from Simon's family and because of that, today he and his gang kinda hit me and that's why I need the checkup"

"Are you okay?" I know how Simon and his family are. Those douchebags have no respect for humans.

"I feel better than before, I'm just grateful that Nathan came when he did, Simon was going to use a knife on me" she pointed to a part of her jeans that were cut open, and my eyes go wide. 

"What kind of a human would do that?"

"The kind that wants to follow in his father's bad footsteps. Which leads me to what I'm about to ask you. Could you please lend me some money, I promise I would pay you back as soon as I get the money? I just need to get them off my back"

So this is why she was nervous, because she wanted to ask for money. I thought that by now she wouldn't be shy when it comes to asking me for things, we've been friends for a long time and this is the first time she's asked me to lend her money. Of course, I'll give her and I don't want her to pay me back but knowing Emily. She won't rest until she pays me back

"How about this, you pay me back in a different way"

"You don't even know how much it is" she states 

"How much is it?" I ask 

"$3000, I completely understand if that's too much"

I bring out my phone and search for her account number. I still had it from her last year's birthday. I send her the amount. 

Her eyes go wide as she receives the alert on her phone, she turns to face me, her eyes welling up with tears, and she wraps her arms around me.

"Thank you so much, I'll pay you back in any way that you want"

"That sounds like a promise" I suggest as I slowly separate from the hug

"It is" she cleans the tears away from her eyes and smiles.

The doctor walks back in with cream in his hand.

"You need to apply this on any part that hurts, your cheeks, your abdomen region, your legs, and your back. There aren't any serious damages so the pain should go away after a while, next time be careful on the stairs or I'll have to call your father"

"Thank you doc but please don't tell my dad about this I don't want him to worry unnecessarily"

The doctor ushers us out and we head to the ward where Nathan's mum is.

We walk into the room and we both stop as we see the condition his mom is in. I fight my body to move and my mouth to speak but nothing happens. I pray she gets through this.

"Emily, Zeke I'm so glad to see you guys," Nathan's mum says ushering us in.

I walk over to her and give her a hug

"We're happy to see you too"

Emily also hugs her and asks 

"How are you feeling today?"

"I'm a lot better now" she replies but breaks into fits of cough in between her speech. 

Nathan looks uneasy. He has this worried look on. From where I'm standing I can feel the pain he's going through seeing his mum in such a condition. I wish there was something I could do to help but sadly all I can do is pray she gets better and be there for Nathan.

"Nathan get up, let the lady sit," His mom says to him. He immediately stands up from the only chair in the room. Emily sits down and smiles at his mom

"Thank you"

"So kids, how was school today?"

We all look at each other and at the same time in sync we all say

"Fine" 

Realizing how weird that was, we all burst into laughter.

"So what really happened in school today?" She asks with a keen eye 

"Nothing much same old same old" Nathan replies 

We all start talking and laughing, but then it gets late so Nathan tells us to leave.

***************

"We're at your place," I say to Emily. I just parked the car in front of her house but she doesn't get off 

"I know," she says but she's still sitting in the car

"If you know then why are you still here"

"If we don't discuss the terms of our agreement, I wouldn't be able to sleep this night"

The corner of my eyebrow rises in confusion

"Terms of agreement?"

"I mean how am I going to pay you back"

"Oh" typical Emily, always overthinking things

"Yeah so how can I pay you back?"

I honestly haven't thought this far but if she's so serious about it then 

"How about with some services, like for each thing. I'd cross off an amount"

"What kind of services?"

"Anything and everything, from tutoring, driving, being my escort to all those boring events I always get dragged to etcetera"

"That doesn't sound fair, those are all things that a friend should do for free. I can do all that for free"

"But those are also things people get paid to do"

"Okay once again thank you"

"What are friends for? See you tomorrow"

"Bye," She opens the door and waves at me with this really cute smile before closing the door and walking into her front door.    

Looking at the road, I make my way home. The road is mostly empty so it's no hassle.

I get home in a few minutes. My mum is sitting in the living room like she had been waiting for me or something.

"Hey mum"

"Don't 'hey mum' me young man. You left your dad and me there alone" my mum yells and before I can even reply my dad comes out of nowhere to answer my mum

"Stacey. You clearly told the boy to leave so he left"

"I was being sarcastic. Shouldn't he know when I'm being sarcastic? You're supposed to reprimand him instead you're siding with him"

"I'm not siding with him. All I'm saying is if you didn't want him to go then you shouldn't have said it"

"Well Miguel I'm sorry that I expected our eighteen-year-old son to be able to differentiate when I'm being serious from when I'm being sarcastic"

"First of all the boy is seventeen, he just became seventeen last month. How can you not know your own sons' age? I have the answer to that. You don't know his age because you don't care. All you care about is your business" 

"Hey, guys. I'm sorry I left if that's why you're arguing" I say but they don't even hear or notice me. I walk around them and go to the top of the stairs and they're still going back and forth insulting each other.

"Miguel, Stacey" I yell and I finally get their attention, they turn to me.

"Did you just hear that he called us by our first name? This is because you've spoiled him" my dad says, annoyed.

My mum rolls her eyes at him

"Clearly you're the one who spoiled him"

"The two of you should just get a divorce" I yell and this time, their countenance softens

"Zeke honey, your father and I may fight sometimes but we still love each other"

"I don't think the two of you love each other. If you care about your marriage, how about you get a counselor or something? If not then just separate cause your relationship isn't a healthy fit for any of us"

"Look, young man. You have no right to tell us what to do. We're the parents"

"But he does have a point, let's see a counselor"

"Now you're siding with him. I don't blame you, after all, he got all his disrespect from you"

"At least he gets something from me. The only thing you ever taught him is how to be a lazy man"

My dad yells at her and she tells back. The back and forth arguing continues again. This is how my day at home always is. I had to install soundproof walls in my room and secretly in my parent's room so I don't hear all their arguing.

It's just so frustrating. The last time we had a family dinner was before we moved to this town. I can't even remember ever seeing my mom and dad have a conversation that didn't lead to a fight. If this is what marriage is like then I don't want to ever get married. Don't get me wrong. I know not all marriages suck but it's hard to think good about something when the only representation you have sucks a lot. I slam the door and walk into my room. 

"Why are they always shouting at each other? Does it hurt to just talk in a low voice?"  I ask out loud. I just wish one day I could come home and meet a loving family. Even if it's for a day. I'd appreciate that a lot. I drop my bag and bring out my notepad. I began to make a sketch.

I learned from therapy that It's good to channel one's aggressions into something creative and productive and not destructive. Yeah in case you were wondering. I meant that. Yes, I go for therapy. My parents aren't stupid, they know that their constant fights could affect me so they signed me up for therapy. I only go because I get a hundred dollars from my mum for every session I attend. It's easy cash and h it actually helps me. I just wish they could take their advice and go for couples counseling. 

After minutes of sketching imaginary characters. I take off my clothes and have a shower.

Running a towel through my hair. I walk out of the bathroom. An envelope slides into my room from under the door. 

I pick up the envelope and open it.

It contains a note of apology from my mum. There's also an invitation card to a night party on Saturday to celebrate my mom's new deal. The last thing in the envelope is two hundred dollar bills. I put the cash in my drawer and stare at the invitation card. It has a space for a plus one. 

I smile at the plus one written on the card because I already know who my plus one is going to be.