Phoenix

Chapter 16

Phoenix's POV

After briefly explaining what my mother and I had talked about, more like what she had told me and what I had to agree to, Jackson just nodded his head slowly.

"I need a little bit of time to think. You know to process all of... This," he said as he motioned his hand from me to the window. Probably referring to the wolf situation when he pointed outside. I nodded my head in understanding.

"Right," I replied. Honestly, I'm surprised he hasn't run for the hills yet. He's taking this a lot more calmly than I had expected. Then again he did take me being a pyro pretty okay. And not even I know what to make of the wolves. That surprised the both of us. But after meeting my mother, I don't think he'll ever want to come back. Not that I blame him.

"As much as I don't want to go home because I don't want to face my grandparents, or the wilderness for a while, I get the feeling that I'm not welcome to stay here either." Jackson said, glancing between me and the kitchen door, which I'm sure my mom was still behind, eavesdropping.

"I would disagree and say you are, but.. I'm not too sure. Maybe she can give you a ride so at least the wilderness is crossed off your list?" I suggested and before Jackson could even respond, my mom walked through the kitchen doors holding her car keys in hand.

"Let's get you home, it's late," She said and started leading to the door without any hesitation. I know how she suspicious she can be, but I think she's taking this a little too far. Jackson is a good guy.

"Alright then, I guess the decision is made," Jackson said with a less than encouraging smile. "I'll see you at school, Nix."

I waved a little as he started to follow my mother out the door. "See ya," I replied weakly, not having too much confidence in whether he was serious or not. "Good luck with your grandparents."

He stopped for a moment before turning his head around towards me, "Good luck with your mom." He said before disappearing behind the thick wooden door.

After watching the car disappear from the driveway, I headed upstairs to my room. On a day like today, I want nothing more than to relax in my room on my comfortable bed. That and since my mom is gone I can play around and relax without having to worry about getting caught.

I collapsed onto the comforting duvet on my bed with a sigh and grabbed the closest pillow to me and hugged it. A small part of me wished it was a real person that I was hugging. Kind of like the time when I was in the locker room and Jackson hugged me...

But this was enough. Sometimes it's nice to be alone and have a little time by myself. Not like I ever really have anyone else around anyway. Having Jackson around has lifted my mood, though. I really need to stop thinking about him so much. I need to focus my mind onto something else.

I know if I keep thinking about him like I have been I'll get attached on an unhealthy level. Although, when does it start to become unhealthy to think about someone too much whenever you've never had a friend before?

I don't know. I guess I can mess with my phone to find something to do, but that doesn't seem to interesting. I sighed in defeat and stared off at the wall, thinking about the wolves from earlier. It's crazy that, that happened. I wonder if they were just wild or they were stalking us. I don't think it's the latter, it was probably just random. If they did claim this land instead of just passing through, then I don't think I'll ever be able to go in the forest again without fearing being eaten.

Then again, I don't think my mom will ever let me go out there again. That was my favorite spot. Where am I going to go now if I want to take a breather from my mom? I guess school is a thing, but Blythe and his g**g are there. That's not exactly the place I would think of as a break. My house should be it, but my mom is constantly breathing down my neck when I'm here.

Maybe I can just sleep, and my dreams can be my safe place. I thought as my eye lids began to feel heavy and I started to drift off to sleep.

~~

Jackson's POV

I sat in awkward silence in the passenger seat of the car while Phoenix's mother sat in the driver's seat. I don't know her name, but honestly, I kind of don't want to ask. I probably should for courtesy reasons or maybe even to try and lift some of the tension that filled the air the car like a heavy odor. Even though I live just down the next street, it felt like I lived all the way across town.

A part of me wanted to ask to walk the rest of the home, but I also didn't want any chance of being attacked by those wolves again. And even though this woman gives me some- several strange vibes and has a heavy aura, I would much rather put up with that for another minute or two rather than be eaten for dinner. I may not be the happiest person or want to go to school again, but I don't want to die. At least not until I've completed a few things on my bucket list.

As soon as my house came into view, I mentally sighed in relief, glad that my thoughts distracted me from any awkward small talk. The woman pulled up into the driveway and I mumbled a small thank you to her, but I made sure she could hear it. She only nodded in response and put the car in reverse as soon as I stepped out of the car. Once I shut the door she was already backing out without a second look back at me.

I can't believe I was worrying about being rude, she clearly doesn't care, nor does she seem to like me. What a strange lady...

A loud growl made me jump and I quickly looked around, before realizing that it was just my stomach growling at me. I sighed 

and shook my head. "You asshole, you scared me, you're my body, you're supposed to be helping me out here, not giving me heart attacks," I muttered to my stomach as I made my way back up to the house before me. It was a little harder to see in the dark, luckily the front porch light was on.

My steps became heavier as I slowly stepped up the creaky, wooden steps of the old house that my grandparents have owned my entire life. I'm surprised the steps haven't decayed yet.

I mentally braced myself as I turned the door knob of the front door and stepped inside the home that was much warmer than the bitter cold fall air outside. My shoulders relaxed whenever I wasn't met with any angry or disappointed adults standing in the entry way.

I checked around once more before walking towards my room so i could hide away from my grandparents until I go back to school.

Then I'll probably hide out at Phoenix's house. That is until they eventually catch me and force me to have a conversation-

"Jackson," My Grandfather said, standing at the bottom of the staircase to my room. I thought too soon. I rolled my eyes and walked down the stairs anyway. There was no turning around now and I definitely wasn't going to leave the house.

"Where have you been? You worried your grandmother sick, I just barely convinced her to go to bed and rest." He said, clearly irritated with me that I had worried his wife. And I bet he was a little worried himself, not that he would ever admit that.

"I was a little busy trying not to get eaten by wolves," I said, letting my own irritation show as I pushed my way passed him and towards my dresser.

"Really Jackson? You think this is some kind of joke? Your grandmother and I are not wolves, we just want what's best for you. At least that's what she would say. I know I'm hard on you, but that's because you've done nothing but sulk in this room for over a year now. It's time you man up and get on with your life." He said with a low growl at the end of his rant.

"Get out." I said, not responding to anything he had just said. I just wanted him out of my room, I didn't want to deal with this right now.

"Excuse me? This is my house, you're not going to tell me to get out. You better watch yourself boy," My grandfather warned, but I just continued to glare at him and repeated myself.

"Get. Out. I don't want to listen to your bull s**t right now. If you want me to apologize to Grandma, fine, I will. But I don't want to hear another word about-"

"I don't give a damn about what you want!" He interrupted, losing any patience he had left. "I'm so sick of your attitude! Your grandmother may out up with it, but I am done. Say another word to me out of line, I dare you. You listen here and you listen good, if you don't start treating me with respect and yourself by going out and making something of yourself, then I guess you need to learn the hard way on your own. Maybe you can go find a nice box to sulk in under a box and a troll to have an attitude with because I am done." He finished and stormed up the stairs, slamming the door behind him and left me speechless. I didn't say another word, I didn't know what to say. I should have felt guilt or sadness, but all I could feel was anger. I was shaking from being so pissed. But honestly, I couldn't tell if my anger was aimed at him, or myself.