Chapter 518: Seaview Manor

Monday, February 20th, Morning

He stood in the window looking out towards his neighbor's property. There wasn't much you could see from his window, maybe a top of the window and a bit of the roof. The last week had been torture, but tomorrow he returns, has to face the music, and face the one person… what was that person anyways? Were they a friend, or were they more. It was like life wasn't any more difficult; add a new complication to it.

"How are your school assignments coming?" Doctor Meggy Reuter, MD, asked from the door.

"Good," Gareth Reuter said from the window.

"I can't tell since you're at the window," Meggy said.

"I was taking a break," Gareth said.

"By looking over to Leighton?" Meggy asked.

"It's where the window points," Gareth said.

"Gareth, it's okay to admit I miss them too," Meggy said.

Gareth shrugged.

"I miss them as well," Meggy said.

Gareth walked away from the window and returned to his desk. "I have assignments to finish," Gareth said.

"You've been avoiding this conversation since you were suspended," Meggy said.

"What conversation is that, Mom?" Gareth asked.

"The one where you tell me the real reason you got into that fight?" Meggy said.

"I told you," Gareth said.

"Let's ignore the fact that you know my stance on fighting and violence in general since you broke it. Why did you fight this kid, Jackin?" Meggy asked.

"Jackin was harassing the girls, I asked him to stop, and it just went from there," Gareth said.

Meggy nodded her head, "It's because of Sawyer, isn't it?" Meggy asked.

"It was Keni and LK as well," Gareth said.

"I know you grew up together with those girls, but I don't think you would've reacted the same for LK or Keni," Meggy said.

"Yes, I would; they're my friends," Gareth said.

"So, we agree on one thing," Meggy said.

"You never looked at Keni or LK like you did Sawyer," Meggy said, and then under her breath, "I always thought Keni was prettier." She shook her head and looked at Gareth, who stood silently. "Gareth, you've always had a different relationship with Sawyer than the other girls."

"We grew up next door to each other," Gareth said.

Meggy chuckled.

"What's so funny, Mom?" Gareth asked.

"It's so obvious, but I missed it," Meggy said.

"Umm, okay," Gareth said.

"I couldn't see the tree through the forest," Meggy said.

"Run, Forrest, run," Gareth said.

"Don't be a wiseass," Meggy said.

"Now, I am confused," Gareth said.

"It's such a cliche," Meggy said.

"Okay?" Gareth asked.

"My son is in love with the girl next door," Meggy said.

"What? No!" Gareth said.

"Don't deny it, Gareth," Meggy said.

"Deny it? Mom, I don't know what you're talking about," Gareth said.

"Don't," Meggy said.

"Don't what, Mom?" Gareth asked.

"Deny, play dumb or change the subject," Meggy said.

"Oh, like when we had them over to dinner so you could spend time with Mister Scott," Gareth said.

"That was old friends reconnecting over dinner with their kids, also friends," Meggy said.

"Right, Mom, you want to date Mister Scott," Gareth said.

"Yes, date, that too," Meggy said.

"Mom, I don't need to hear that," Gareth said.

"You're old enough to know such things," Meggy said.

"Not about you, Mom," Gareth said and shook his head, "So, you used Sawyer and me to get close to Mister Scott."

Meggy shook her head, "You're getting better at the deflecting," she said.

"I don't even know what we're talking about," Gareth said.

"Yes, you do, but you keep avoiding the topic," Meggy said.

"What topic is that, Mom?" Gareth asked.

"The fact that you're in love with the girl next door," Meggy said.

"I am not," Gareth said.

"You are," Meggy said, "It's okay; it's perfectly natural, Gareth."

"No, it's not," Gareth said.

"How so?" Meggy asked.

"She's practically my best friend," Gareth said.

"Best friends can fall in love, Gareth," Meggy said.

"No, Mom, it can't happen," Gareth said.

"Why?" Meggy asked.

"Because, well, Mom, she's Sawyer Scott," Gareth said.

"So?" Meggy asked.

"I'm, well, I'm…." Gareth said, trailing off.

"Spit it out, Gareth," Meggy said.

"I'm me," Gareth said.

"So, you're you, and you're great," Meggy said.

"You're my mom; you have to say that," Gareth said.

"Yes and no, but when have you not known me, to be honest?" Meggy asked.

"When it comes to Mister Scott," Gareth said.

"Never mind that," Meggy said, "What does being you entail?"

"Mom, I don't want to say it," Gareth said.

"Say what?" Meggy asked.

"I don't want to," Gareth said.

"Gareth," Meggy said in her best "mom" voice.

"I'm always going to be in the friend zone," Gareth said.

"With that attitude, you will be," Meggy said.

"What?" Gareth asked.

"You'll put yourself there," Meggy said.

"But, Mom," Gareth said.

"No, buts, and finish your assignments," Meggy said and left.

Gareth just shook his head and went back to work.