A/N: I wrote my heart out with only half an idea of what I was actually doing. Then I left this draft sit on my computer for a week or so. I really had no idea what to do with it. XD Anyway I wasn't sure I was going to post this at all, honestly, but I showed it to my friend and she immediately smacked me over the head for not doing anything with it yet. So . . . read it and tell me what you think! :P
Also, super quick! I wrote another chapter before this one and posted it ages ago, but for some reason FanFiction didn't update my story. The chapter appeared, but the story itself didn't bump to the top of the list and those of you who followed the story didn't get an email. I'm really sorry and I have honestly no idea why that didn't happen. XP Anyway, it's called Words and Deeds, in case you missed it. Thanks!
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
The ten-year old's complete stillness was the only outward sign that he was finally beginning to break. Sitting on the cold bench, Shawn's feet hung a few inches short of the ground, the most motionless they'd ever been since he was born. He waited without wondering, listened without focusing. It didn't matter what they said behind the closed doors - the outcome would be the same. The outcome was always the same.
Shawn was used to the fighting - the constant tearing at each other, always trying to bring the other down, always needed to be right - but today was different. Today they weren't just straining things. Today was the day something finally broke.
A woman knelt down in front of Shawn, trying to get him to meet her eyes. He continued to stare at the floor like she wasn't there, and when she put her hand on his knee he flinched.
"It's going to be okay," she said.
"You don't have to lie to me."
"I didn't."
Her tone made Shawn finally look up. He saw her smile, unfamiliar but somehow comforting. Shawn suddenly realized something - she wasn't looking down on him or pitying the boy sitting alone outside the courtroom.
She was honestly trying to help.
"Thank you," he said simply, hoping the two words would convey everything. But, he realized again, whether or not she understood didn't matter.
What mattered was that he understood.
The courtroom doors swung open, and, at the same time, the peace he felt inside disappeared like it was a door abruptly slammed shut. Shawn's cheeks burned under his mother's momentary glance - then, like he was a complete stranger to her, Madelyn turned her back and walked away without a second glance.
Shawn stared hard at the ground, refusing to let the screams bleed out on his tongue.
I will not look up. I will not look up. I. Will. Not. Look. Up.
The click of a closed door informed him that she was finally gone.