I walked back into my house as Mom was beginning to cook dinner. I snuck past her, not wanting to deal with anyone right now. Especially her. She had allowed Dad’s cruel punishments to overtake her own opinions for the second time and I wasn’t about to let it go like last time.

I walked towards my room and I heard your door open. You briskly walked past me into my room and sat down on my bed. I stood in the doorway, not sure what you wanted. You stared back behind your glasses like you didn’t know what to say.

“They…” you stuttered to start, “They won’t let me do the case.”

I pursed my lips. “I could have guessed.”

You took off your glasses and cleaned them nervously with the hem of your shirt. “Why are they doing this?”

“Dad doesn’t want us to do it. Isn’t that understandable for his perspective, knowing him?” I closed the door behind me and folded my arms over my chest, leaning against the door.

“No,” you said. “It’s my choice. It’s my fight. I mean if they are letting you do it.”

I sighed, “But they aren’t letting me do it under any easy circumstances.”

You put your glasses back on and looked up at me, “What do you mean?”

I looked away, “They said I have to move out on Monday.”

“What?” you stood up. “No, they can’t do that.”

“Yes, they can, Mikey. I’m 18. I’m not their responsibility anymore. They can send me packing and I think they are serious.”

You stepped towards me. “What are you gonna do?”

I swallowed and pulled at my sleeves, “Elliot. He offered me space at his house.”

“So that was your day?” You raised an eyebrow.

My brain rushed, “Sit back down.”

You looked confused but did as told.

“Klause came to Elliot’s office.”

Your eyebrows furrowed and your head cocked. “Klause? Like Dr. Klause?”

I nodded. “He… he wanted to warn us. Warn us that we can’t win.”

You huffed. “well, that’s bullshit.”

“Mikey,” I sighed.

“What? You know it is. We can’t lose. We are the good guys.”

“Well,” I shook my head. “What if we aren’t though? What if we are the bad guys?”

You stopped. “What are you saying?”

I shifted. “What if this is our fault? I mean Klause wouldn’t have done that stuff if I wasn’t so stubborn or irresponsible or…sick-”

“Stop!” you shouted. “Stop it! You are letting him get to you again. Can’t you see that? You aren’t sick. And neither am I.”

I looked back at you. “But who are you to say that? It’s illegal. You and I. It’s frowned upon. I mean, people write horror stories about this stuff.”

“Mikey!,” Mom called from downstairs.

You stood up. “I’m not arguing about this.” You walked towards me and grabbed one of my hands. “Just forget about it, Gerard. Please?”

I nodded, though I couldn’t guarantee anything.

You gave a slight smile and kissed my cheek before leaving.

Even though I wanted to, I wasn’t sure I could forget.