Leaving The Country 2

Mr Thompson could tell, something was off with Riley, something about him had changed.

He went over to his bedside table and sat on the chair, he gave a hard long look at Riley, and surprisingly, Riley didn't look away. Seeing that Riley was not planning on looking away, he cleared his throat.

"What is it you want to discuss with me?"

Riley kept on looking into his father's eyes, and didn't break eye contact, even as he spoke.

"I want to leave the country."

The father's expression changed. He really was surprised that Riley would bring this up again.

He composed himself, and with a frown on his face, he said

"You can't leave."

Riley chuckled, his eyes no longer fixed on his father. He looked out to the sky through the windows. Luckily for him, there were no tall buildings in the street, which gave him an access to look into the dark night, even through the windows.

"I am not asking you dad. " he suddenly returned his gaze to his father.

"I am telling you."

The father sat still in shock. This really was no longer the Riley he used to know.

Riley got up and proceeded to leave.

Mr Thompson felt much more surprised seeing him stand up to leave. He had to take control of the situation. He couldn't just let the boy think he had grown into a man, and could now make decisions for himself.

"Have you told your mum about this?" he asked in a calm voice.

Riley paused by the door, his palm on the doorknob.

"Yes."

"What did she say?"

Riley looked at his father still with that lost face.

"She doesn't care what I do with my life."

'Of course, she couldn't care much towards a boy she hates.' Mr Thompson thought to himself.

"Fine. So when do you plan to leave?"

'The fact that the mother hardly cares for her son, and the son hardly cares about himself, much more reason for me not to care so much about him.' Mr Thompson thought to himself again.

"The next three days."

"Oh! You seem prepared. That's great." he said, nodding his head along.

"Have you found a place to live?"

"No, I will find one when I get there."

"OK, we are all good then, I suppose?"

"Yes." he said as he opened the door. "Have a good night sleep." he said and walked out of the room.

*****

Riley stepped into the bathtub, and when he had settled in, he took a deep sigh. He looked at the sky blue colored ceiling and a sweet smile formed on his face.

"There, I'll be out of your life, even before you know it. I know you will feel hurt, that's why I really can't tell you. I can have every one else dissuade me from leaving, except you. So I won't be telling you a goodbye, cause we definitely will meet again. It's a win-win for us both. I get to be free from all those bullies, and you get to live for yourself. I just hope I get a better life there."

He smiled, and closed his eyes so passionately, as though when he opens those eyes of his, he would open them to a new him, a new life.