This chapter took this long because I am currently going through Hunter X Hunter withdrawl. ;_;
"M-mom?" Jack stammered.
"Jack. What are you doing?" his mother asked as he began walking towards her.
"Mom I-what're you doing here?" Jack replied.
"Well, since you didn't come home right away I decided to come down here and see you. I figured that you were having fun with your friends...why did you hit that boy?"
"Well, uh, he was bothering my friend. Arc-I mean, Arin." Jack answered slowly.
"Alright. However, like I said before. Why did you have to hit him?" Jack could see that his mother was slowly growing more and more agitated the longer that they stood there talking about it.
"Mom I-"
"Jackson." Damn, the full name intro. His mom was either really worried or really pissed. "That isn't like you. I know you. I've begun noticing subtle differences in your behaviour ever since you started high school. But not like this. What's wrong Jack?"
"What? No, no mom nothing's wrong it's just-"
"He was helping me Mrs. Darby." Arcee had come over to the two. "That guy was being totally aggressive and Jack stepped in to help like any good friend and faction comrade would."
"...faction comrade?" Scrap.
"Faction comrade. As in, the faction war?" Mrs. Darby asked.
No seriously. Scrap.
"Uh yeah. Jack has been a great part in the faction war. I mean, don't worry he hasn't gotten hurt or anything but-"
"Oh don't worry. I get it. Completely. Now, c'mon Jack. Let's go home." Mrs. Darby kept her smile on her face but Jack could practically feel the rage building within his mother's person.
"Mom I-"
"Jack," his mother shot him an icy glare from over her shoulder. "We're going home now."
Jack nodded wordlessly and followed his mother to the car. He looked back at his friends. Raf and Miko looked like they sort of knew what was happening, while Arcee looked completely dumbfounded.
The car ride home was completely silent. Jack tried to keep his eyes away from his seething mother, stealing glances at her pale white knuckles as her fists were clenched tight around the driver's wheel.
June Darby was not the kind of person who got upset. She was a patient, understanding, non road raging type of person. During his seventh grade year Jack brought home a failing grade and June merely lightly berated him and told him to do better next time. He did, but Jack still knew that June was incredibly disappointed.
The only times Jack had ever seen his mother truly angry was when he broke the law, any adamant rules, or at his father...
After what seemed like an eternity, they finally pulled up into their driveway.
"Get out," his mother spoke in a low voice, "wait for me at the kitchen table."
Jack didn't say anything. He simply did what he was told. Jack put down his backpack at the front door and sat down at the kitchen table.
His mother finally came in and sat down on the opposite end.
"Jackson, why have you been lying to me?" June asked.
"Because I...I joined in, on-on the faction war." Jack muttered.
"You promised me Jack. You gave me your word that you wouldn't join in on that foolishness!"
"It's not foolishness, mom!"
"Oh really? Pointless competition, fights, hospitalization?"
"It's-it's not pointless. There's a lot more to it than that!"
"And I suppose that that would include lying to you mother as well! I told you not to include yourself in all of that Jack!"
"I know I know but, it's all a part of the experience y'know? I made friends in one of the factions and they're really passionate about this and I thought that being a good friend would be by supporting them!"
"Then support from the sidelines Jackson! I refuse to having to put anymore stitches on my own son's body. Especially if they are due to injuries that could have been easily avoided, rather than a cruel part of our lives!"
"I won't get hurt there mom!"
"Jack stop! You lied to me! You know that I can't handle the lying! I thought i wouldn't have to deal with it after your father finally left but it would seem that I just can't escape it!"
"Mom! I promise, I swear, I am and never will be like dad! But, please. The faction war is something that I really care about."
The two opposing sides stared at each other.
"Jack...from this moment on you are grounded." June spoke.
"For how long?" Jack wondered.
"Indefinitely. After school is done you will come right home and do your homework. No TV, no phone, not unless I say you can."
"Mom-"
"Jack. Go to your room."
"Mom-"
"Go to your room, Jackson!"
Jack flinched, before nodding and obeying his seething mother.
Oh boy. I felt bad writing this. But hey, story progression! :D
Let me know what you think! Comment and review!