Chapter 10

Make or break

Jack

He walks through the halls, solemnly. As he gets to his locker, he spots Kim with Jerry. They're arguing quietly about something. Jack continues to stare until Jerry glance over at him. He adverts his eyes and focuses his attention on his locker. He starts to put the combination in when Jerry walks up to him. He doesn't say anything, he just leans against the locker by Jack's.

Jack closes his locker and looks at Jerry.

"You really messed things up."

"Excuse me?"

"With Kim. She's not doing karate anymore."

"She's going back to the Black Dragons?"

"No. She's quitting it altogether and it's all your fault."

Jack sighs, "stop it, Jerry."

"No. We were a inseparable family not even a month ago. Now, all we do is lie, avoid each other and argue. It sucks and i'm sick of it."

"Sounds like your blaming it all on me."

"Kim leaving... that's all you."

"You know what? I'm sick of you, Jerry. I want my old friend back not this judgmental, shift-the-blame Jerry. Until then, don't talk to me."

Jack turns and starts on his way toward his next class.

"Whatever. Your just afraid, Brewer. Always have been." Jerry called.

./.

Jack tapped his foot against the floor, rapidly. The burn of what Jerry said was getting to him. The more he thought about it the angrier he got. Jack didn't fully understand why they all were falling apart. Or that Jerry could be so mean. He could understand that Jerry was upset, he would be too if in his position, but that didn't give to go off criticizing his best friends.

He then remembered all the discussions they had about Kim and him. They always ended in loud arguments. Jack wanted to wait for the right moment. Jerry wanted him to tell her right away.

Jack tried shake the thoughts from his head as he glanced up at the clock for what it seemed to be the thousandth time. He looked back down at his homework that the teacher had given them.

5 more minutes.

Jack wrote his name on the paper and then tried to focus on the first question. Someone behind him tapped him. Jack sighed and turned to see Kent.

"What?" he asked, quietly.

He thumbed it to Eddie, who was beside the seat behind him. Eddie smiled when Jack met his gaze. He pointed to his phone and made a texting gesture. Jack nodded and turned back around. He pulled out his phone to see he had a message from Eddie.

Dude, what's going on with you and jerry?

Nothing

Really, man? I know you better than that

I'm sorry eddie, just not in the mood

Its aight, after school come to my house, i wanna show you something.

idk, don't we have karate

Come on just skip it, just this once

Alright

Cool

Jack looked back at Eddie and half smiled. He honestly didn't feel like doing anything but, Eddie was one of his friends that didn't avoid him or treat him like crap. He was thankful for that. His mind then momentarily floated to Milton.

The bell sounded and everyone rushed up and out of the classroom. Jack waited at the door for Eddie.

"So, what is it you wanna show me?"

"You'll see."

./.

Jack stood in front of a d.j set. He smiled, confused.

"Is this it?"

"That's all you have to say?"

Looking between Eddie and the equipment, Jack noticed three things. One, Eddie was pursuing his dreams, two, he was getting noticeably taller and slimer and three, he didn't need the Wasabi Warriors to help him. Eddie turned it on and it lit up.

"No, i'm happy for you and I'm glad you're doing better."

"Yeah, it took me a minute but, I realized that the only one holding me back was me. Thanks for talking to me that night."

Jack thought back to what happened after that talk. He runs his hand through his hair and tries his best to smile and hide his discomfort.

"Call me crazy but, i'm singing at the Once Upon an Autumn's Night dance in a few days."

Jack had completely forgotten about the dance with all the drama going on. He didn't want to go then and he definitely didn't want to go now. Only problem was that Eddie was singing there. He had to be there for his friend.

"Seriously?"

Eddie nodded.

"Dude, that's great. I'm glad you're stepping out of your comfort zone. That's really brave."

Jack grows silent and leans back against the Foosball table.

"What about you, man? You gonna finally ask Kim out and go with her to the dance?"

"No."

"Why?"

"She's going with Drake."

Eddie looked at him for a moment, thinking.

"Jack, what's really going on?"

He mentally contemplated telling him. He was, right now, his only friend. He also really needed someone to talk to.

He took a deep breath and looked up at him.

"I had the chance to tell Kim how I really feel about her but, I didn't. I stood there, like an idiot, while she told me that she liked me but, valued our friendship. Then we avoid each other until we argued and she left the dojo. Next thing I now, she's with Drake and I'm alone. I was a idiot and afraid and that cost me everything that I really cared about. So, I'll go to support you but, I will not go with Kim."

Jack leaned back against the Foosball table, Eddie looked at him.

"Jack, I... didn't you talk to Jerry?"

"Jerry blames me! He hates me! He says its my fault that we're falling apart and he's probably right. If I just manned up and talked to her, we would be in this mess! Jerry's right. For the first time in his stupid life, he's right."

"No, he's not. We haven't fell apart. We're just... going through a little scuffle right now."

Jack laughs but, its not a cheerful one, its was bitter.

"Yeah. Scuffle."

"C'mon, dude. Enough talkin'. Start groovin'."

He walked over to his d.j set and pressed a button.

Milton

"And that's how you make Carbon-"

Milton clicks the button and it shuts off. He sets the remote down and leans back against the couch. He's been really down lately. Mainly because the Wasabi Warriors were falling apart. First, it was skipping practice then it was arguing all the time and avoiding each other. Milton didn't do anything wrong but, he felt like it was all his fault. He should have been there for them but, he's been slammed with doing projects and schoolwork that wasn't even assigned yet.

He cursed to himself for being so down. He refused to say that he was depressed. To Milton he wasn't depressed... just a little down.

His parents weren't making it better with their constant pressure that seemed to never let up, especially since he was in the middle of his junior year. He just has to buckle down and do the work.

Milton sits up and puts his face in his hands. They were so bony as they messaged his temples.

The front door opened and talking was heard. His dad wasn't in a good mood, he could hear it in his voice.

Leave me alone Leave me alone Leave me alone Leave me alone.

"Milton?"

It was like God was punishing him.

Milton looked up at his father who was frowning down at him.

"What are you doing?" he asked harshly.

"I-I was just taking a break."

His father looked away then back at him, "what?"

"I said-"

"I HEARD YOU! I want to know why you are not doing some work?"

"I was just..."

"'I-I was just'," his father mocked, "you were just wasting time."

He runs his hand through his hair and looks away. Milton's mom rubs his arms and tries to calm him.

"I'm sorry, dad."

"SHUT UP!"

Milton was scared. He jumped as his father's voice boomed through the house. He moved away and stood away from the couch. His father turned away from him and started to rub his temples.

Milton stared at his father almost bewildered. As the shock wore off he begin think about Jack. He didn't know why his mind fluttered to him. He did know that the thought of him brought all the times he and the Wasabi Warriors beat up bad guys and Black Dragons. How they never doubted their success. How they never give up on each other or on themselves.

Confidence and security flooded his body relaxing him. He took a deep breath and looked to his father.

"I'm tired, dad. And i'm just talking about my body but, my brain is too. I need a break and with you I think I'll never have one. It's always go go go. And I'm sick of it. I not going to do this I will work my butt off like I always do but, I need time for leisure. This is my future and I will worry about it."

After he got what he wanted off his chest, Milton felt as if he was floating. He didn't, however, notice that his dad had slowly mad his way over to him. It wasn't a second later until the back of the hand of his father connected with his face. His face whipped to the left and he fell to the floor. Milton gasped and held his cheek. He scooted away from his father who stood over him as still as a statue.

"You belong to me , Milton. You are my son and you will do as I say. You can rest when you are sleep but when you are awake..."

He grabbed Milton's collar and yanked him up to his face.

"You will WORK!"

He then slammed him into the wall hard. He backed away as Milton tried to keep his breathing steady. Tears blurred his vision and pain riddled his upper back and cheek as he tried to stand.

I gotta get out of here.

Milton started panic as he stared at his dad. He tried to keep as calm as he could as he stood. His father watched him with a straight face while his mom quietly sobbed into her hand. Milton took a couple of breaths then rushed to the door. He got the door open and run as fast as he could away his house.

. / .

Milton stares at his screen, waiting on a reply.

I'm here

Milton looks around for Jerry's car.

Where?

In the parking lot

Milton walks on the path past benches and green grasses. It was quiet because it was getting late and only a few people were walking around. Milton avoided them easily. He didn't want any of them asking about his bruised cheek. He kept his head down as he picked up the pace toward to the parking lot. He spotted Jerry's 2003 Mustang near the curb. Milton jogged up to the car, opened the door and jumped inside.

"What the heck happened to your cheek?"

"Just drive."

Jerry looked at him for a few more moments then pulled the car out off the parking spot. After they got on the road, Jerry turned up the music on his radio. It was playing a song unfamiliar to Milton but, he enjoyed it anyway. He placed his elbow on the arm rest and laid his head on his hand. He stared out the window at the passing stores.

"You like it?" Jerry asked.

Milton didn't look at him, " like what?"

"The song, its by Drake."

"I don't listen to Drake."

"Just asking if you like it. No need to get defensive."

Milton looked up and sighed.

"I'm sorry, Jerry. Not in the best mood but, yes the song is nice."

"Mhm. You gonna tell me who did that to your face?"

"Food first."

"Sounds good." Jerry answered.

. / .

They sit in a McDonalds with burgers in from on them. Jerry stuffs a fry in his mouth.

"It was my dad."

Jerry almost chokes on his food from surprise.

"What?"

Milton nods and solemnly bites a fry. Jerry wipes his mouth and leans back against the seat. He frowns deeply.

"I'm sorry, Milton."

"You didn't hit me. My father did."

"I know but... It's just everyone has been so distant with each other and if we were closer this wouldn't have happened."

Milton was itching to get off the topic of his bruise.

"So, what's up with you and Jack? Eddie said you two aren't exactly the best of friends right now."

"Jack's wimp and an idiot. He has someone like Kim who has been in love with him forever and he does nothing about it. Then when she tells him, he still does nothing. He would always say, 'I'm waiting for the right moment'. It would annoy the heck out of me, especially since I liked Kim. But, I backed off when I caught on that she liked him and not me."

Jerry glares past him hard. Milton felt bad for him, at least he had Julie. Jerry, though, had no one. Blame it on his flirtatiousness or his the fact girls could trust him , Jerry was not everyone's first pick. Milton has seen the other side of Jerry though. The caring and friendly side. If only all those girls seen in him what Milton did then he would be adored just as much as Jack.

"Did you know?" Jerry asked.

"Know what?"

"That I... I liked Kim. Like really liked her."

"Yeah but, I thought it was the way you felt towards every other girl. You know a temporary attraction."

Jerry nods and starts eat, again. Milton could tell that he had long lost his appetite.

. / .

Milton stands in front of his door. He was a still as a statue and as quiet as a mouse. Fear paralyzed him, keeping him from ringing the doorbell. He had been standing this spot for about five minutes. He tried with every once of his being to not cry.

Breath.

Milton took a deep breath releasing some of the tension in his chest. He brought his hand up to the circular doorbell and apply light pressure. He could here it sound through the house. He started to regret his decision as he heard footsteps. He almost stepped off the porch to run when the door swung open revealing his father. Milton clenched his jaw, his cheek throbbed as if feeling the presence of the person that bruised it. His father's face was unreadable as he moved to the side and let him inside. He closed the door and Milton hurried along down the corridor.

His father followed behind, slowly. Milton stood far away, in the the entrance to the dining room. His father watched him quietly with a blank face.

"Goodnight, Milton."

His father turned and head to his bedroom but, Milton had not moved. He then stopped and backed up until he was sure his son could see him.

"I'm sorry."

Then he disappeared into the corridor.

Hello, everyone.

I want to start off and say thank you for reading, reviewing, favoring, and following this story. It means a lot.

Now, I want to address the some of the reviews.

I love the fact that you want to give me ideas and I will consider them but, I am no where near done. I really want you all to see how this will end so, please stick with it. :)

Now, Evan Roberts...

Okay, I just want to let you know that I am not nor do I want to give you this story. I love The Right Choice and I'm not gonna give up on it. I also don't want you to post The Right Choice on Wattpad. Not trying to be rude but, its my story and if I want it on Wattpad, I would put it on Wattpad. I appreciate you asking first though.

Also if anyone is confused, please PM me and let me know. Sorry about any confusion.

Anyways, what do you all think of the chapter? Make sure you don't leave before letting me know!

See all you beautiful people later! :D

-Angel