Troubling Days

The next morning, I woke up early, my mind still reeling from the events of the previous day. I got out of bed, feeling a mix of weariness and determination. The house was unusually quiet as I made my way to the bathroom to freshen up. Once I was done, I walked to the kitchen and found my mother preparing breakfast. There was a solemn silence that hung in the air, a sense of tension that hadn't been there before. My mother glanced at me briefly but didn't say anything, her focus fixated on the task at hand. "I'll go buy the Canola Oil from somewhere today." My mother looked up from her work, a small appreciative smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Thank you," she said quietly, her voice carrying a hint of gratitude. "But be careful when you're out. Don't go too far, okay? And be back before it gets dark." "I can leave work early today if you need something to be done." My mother paused in her work, turning to look at me with a mix of surprise and worry. "No, no, sweetie. You've already done so much. You shouldn't be skipping work just to help me." She protested, a flicker of guilt etched on her face. "Do you need help?" I asked again just to make sure. My mother seemed to hesitate for a moment, her expression torn between saying yes and not wanting to burden me further. She eventually sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly in resignation. "Well, there is something," she admitted, her voice heavy with the weight of unspoken worry. My mother set down the spatula she was holding and leaned against the counter, a weary sigh escaping her lips. "It's just... I've been meaning to go to the bank to deposit some money, but I don't feel safe going alone. Especially after yesterday. Do you think you could come with me? Just for moral support?" I raise an eyebrow and respond, "Or, I could do it in your name. Or maybe this is just an excuse for you to spend some time with me outside?" I said with a smile. A small, amused smile tugged at the corner of your mother's lips as you said that, her eyes softening as she looked at me. "Maybe." she admitted softly, her voice filled with a hint of affection. "But truthfully, I do feel safer when you're around." I nod and continue speaking. "I'll come pick you up around 4 P.M." My mother nodded, her expression tinged with a hint of relief and gratitude. "Thank you, sweetheart," she said quietly, her voice filled with genuine appreciation. "That would make things so much easier for me. I'll be ready by 4." Afterwards, I took out 200 dollars from my wallet and put it on the table. "You can give it to my father." My mother looked at the money on the table, a mix of surprise and uncertainty crossing her face. She reached out and gingerly picked up the bills, her eyes flickered up to meet mine. "Are you sure?" she asked, her voice betraying a hint of skepticism. "Just make sure he isn't spending it on alcohol." My mother nodded, her expression solemn as she tucked the money into her pocket. "I'll make sure he doesn't," she affirmed, her voice firm and resolute. "Not a single cent will go towards that." I gave a reassuring pat on her shoulder and replied. "I'll catch you later okay? Take care." My mother smiled weakly, her expression filled with a mixture of worry and affection. "You too, sweetie. Be careful." She replied as she watched you head towards the door. My mother's gaze lingered on me as I left, her eyes reflecting a silent plea for my safety. She let out a shaky breath, her mind swirling with a blend of concern and gratitude. The journey to school was familiar and mundane, the usual sights and sounds blending into a haze of routine as I went about my day. However, the events of the previous night and the upcoming plan to spend time with my mother lingering in the back of my mind. Wade, my friend, noticed my lost expression and gave me a gentle shake. "Hey, man, you okay? You seem a million miles away today." He said, his voice filled with a hint of concern. "I have never been a fan of physics. Easier to pass time while overthinking." Wade chuckled softly, giving me a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. "I hear you, dude. Physics is a pain in the ass for me too. But seriously, you seem a bit off today. Everything good at home?" "Yeah, everything good. How did your basketball practice go?" Wade's expression brightened at the mention of basketball. "Practice was alright. We've got a game coming up next week so we've been doing drills and stuff like crazy." He said, his tone filled with excitement. "You should come and watch. It's gonna be a great match!" "Was it on Tuesday next week?" I asked. Wade nodded with a confident smile. "Yep, it's next Tuesday. We're playing against West High, the biggest rivals. You definitely need to come and support us, man. We can use all the help we can get." "In that case, I'll go watch Sophie and Melissa's Volleyball match this Friday. You wanna come and watch with me?" Wade's expression perked up at the invitation. "Friday?" He repeated, his voice filled with a mix of surprise and curiosity. "Sure, why not? I'm always down to check out a good match, and the girls are pretty good at volleyball. Got any special reason for wanting to go?" I sighed at the stupid question and flicked his forehead. "Girls, man. Girls." Wade winced slightly, rubbing his forehead where I flicked him. "Oh, right. Girls," he chuckled, his tone filled with a hint of amusement. "Trying to score a date, huh? Smooth, dude." I thought to myself for a bit and continued. "Man, to be honest I've been interested in Sophie for a while at this point. But she is way too friendly. I feel like I am lost in the friendzone area." Wade nodded sympathetically, a understanding expression on his face. "I get it, man. But you gotta shoot your shot, you know? Show her you're more than just a friend." He said, his voice filled with encouragement. "Worst she can do is say no, and then you can at least say you tried, right?" "The problem would be things going awkward if she attempts to keep being friends." Wade's expression took on a more serious note as he considered my concern. "Yeah, I get that. It can be a tough spot to be in, not wanting to wreck a friendship if things don't go the way you hope." He agreed, his voice filled with a touch of empathy. "But sometimes, you gotta take that leap of faith. Otherwise, you'll be stuck wondering "what if" and beating yourself up forever about it." "They got my boy Wade out here spreading wisdom as if he doesn't change girls every 2 days." I nudged him with a slight smile. Wade laughed and shrugged, his expression filled with a hint of playful defensiveness. "Hey, man, I'm just trying to help out my boy. And for the record, I do not change girls every two days." He protested jokingly, shoving your arm lightly. "2 and a half days. That's it." I replied. Wade chuckled, rolling his eyes playfully. "Oh, come on, man. You're making me sound like a total player here!" He said with a smirk, his tone filled with exaggerated wounded pride. I sighed once again and flicked his forehead again. "You are a player." Wade held up his hands in mock surrender, a grin still on his face. "Okay, okay, maybe I do like to have some fun. But that doesn't mean I don't have feelings too, you know." He retorted, a hint of defensiveness in his voice. "Oh boy... Now you are dragging it." Wade chuckled and shrugged, his expression filled with a hint of playful resignation. "Yeah, maybe I am." He admitted, his tone softer. "But hey, doesn't change the fact that I'm trying to give you some solid advice, right?" "Yeah, I feel you. I am just lowkey overwhelmed with all types of different shit." Wade nodded understandingly, sympathetic expression on his face. "I get it, man. It can be a lot to handle all at once. But you've got this, okay? You're a tough guy. And remember, I've always got your back, man. Whatever you need, just let me know." "Yeah, I appreciate it. Now I'll listen to the teacher a bit. She has been eyeing me for a while because we were whisper talking." Wade laughed quietly and nodded, his expression knowing. "Yeah, you better pay attention before she comes over here and chews you out." He teased, shooting a glance at the teacher who was indeed eyeing the two of you. To fix this issue, I gave the teacher an apologetic nod. The teacher, a stern but fair woman, seemed to accept the gesture and turned back towards the whiteboard, continuing with her lesson. Wade chuckled softly at the exchange, patting you on the shoulder in solidarity. The day went by and the final bell rang, signaling the end of school for the day. The classrooms quickly filled with the sound of students gathering their belongings and preparing to head home. I packed up my books, my mind still buzzing with a mix of anticipation and apprehension for the upcoming task of having fun with my mother. I made ny way out of the classroom and into the crowded hallway, the sound of chatter and footsteps filling the air around me. I navigated through the sea of students, the hallway becoming less crowded as I walked further down the corridor. As I walked through the now less crowded hallway, something caught my eye - a woman walking a few feet away from you, with tears silently streaming down her face. Her gaze was fixed on the ground, shoulders slumped in a mixture of sadness and dejection.