Chapter 29 29: You Weren't Drunk
Baby pushed through the door of the gymnasium and walked into the room, cheers erupting as he walked further.
He blocked out all their shouts, his eyes going up to the women on the stage: Mrs. Hannah Kross, and Claire Danvers.
His eyes locked in on only one. One with blonde hair and blue eyes just like his: his mother.
A mother whom he had not seen for the first time in two years. A mother who was the source of his wayward life. A mother he thought that drawing scandalous attention to himself would make her look his way just once.
Seeing her now, he wanted to be happy, to be proud, to feel loved. But, he knew she hadn't come on her own, THC had asked them here, and Baby was sure she would rather be on the plane to her next country than stand in a gymnasium full of students and staring at her useless son.
A middle-aged man dressed neatly in a black suit gently took the microphone and announced, "Everyone, let's welcome the golden boys of Westbridge High, Saint Kross, and Baby Danvers!" The president's voice echoed through the microphone just as Saint paused beside Baby.
The students cheered, clapping. Half of the crowd chanted Baby's name while the other half chanted Saint's, making them look indeed like the golden toys they were labelled to be.
Baby would rather be anywhere but there at that moment, but he didn't, he stood still, waiting to see what his mother had to say about him.
"Please, step forward, Saint, Baby," The president directed them to the stage.
Saint's about to move forward when he noticed that Baby wasn't planning to, very subtly, he leaned and whispered.
"They're cameras, Baby. You know who's watching," he said and straightened.
As he marched forward, he prayed Baby don't let his stubbornness spoil things at this dire moment, but he suddenly heard Baby's footsteps behind him and sighed in relief.
Saint went up first, walking over to his mother to kiss her cheeks and then quietly standing beside her.
Baby's steps slowed just the slightest as he witnessed Saint's exchange with his mother, and he immediately knew that everyone would be expecting him to do the same with a woman who had never been present in almost all crucial moments of his life.
He swallowed hard and climbed the three stairs up the stage. He walked over to his mother and forced a smile out as he paused a foot away from her, and then leaned his head in to place the briefest, lightest cheek kiss in history.
He had planned to ignore her whenever he saw her again, not throwing cheek kisses at her.
Claire only smiled briefly at Baby before she took the microphone from the college president.
"Good afternoon, Westbridge High. I'm Claire Danvers. And I'm here with Hannah Kross," Claire introduced, flashing her perfect, political, and dazzling smile that could fool anyone into believing her words.
But not Baby, he knew exactly the kind of person his mother was, a selfish, careless woman who only showed up when things would favour her. He was sure she was about to use this means to either campaign or show off her latest achievements.
Hannah stepped forward, another microphone in hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet every one of you, and to see that my son... our sons, are well loved by their fellow students," She said, sending a smile Saint's way.
Baby quietly scoffed as he saw that motherly exchange between Saint and his mother. Just one more thing to add to the list of things he was jealous of.
Saint wasn't just a worthy opponent at everything, he even got genuine love from his mother. Baby hated him more and swore to do everything to avoid him.
He realised that every interaction with Saint was a mockery of his life, Saint was only showing off how easy and happy his life was.
He was drawn to the present by his mother's charismatic and elegant voice, "We are here to congratulate our boys for being THC's top picks for the year. And we are here to ask each of you to contribute to their success, because if they succeed, the school succeeds, am I right, Hannah?" She turned to Hannah, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.
Only the two sons could sense the long-term competition between the two women.
"Yes, Claire. We only ask the students to be supportive in whatever way they can. THC asked us as parents to make sure our boys are working perfectly together as Co-captains, and to make sure they're doing just that not just within the school walls but out of it as well, we have decided to make them our representatives for our monthly charity gala," Hannah announced proudly.
The students cheer, congratulating Saint and Baby through their chants.
Baby froze, his eyes instantly darting toward Saint, who looked unbothered by the sudden news. Baby frowned slowly as he realised that Saint might just have had an idea about this and kept it away from him.
His hatred kept climbing higher and higher, and he was barely holding himself lunging forward and causing a scene, his self-control was about to clock out.
"And, as parents, it's our duty to support you, our children. I will be clearing every single student loan, just so your minds are at rest and a hundred percent with my Baby," Claire gla yes at Baby, a soft smile gracing her lips.
The students went crazy, jumping from their seats to cheer and clap, excitement written all over their faces.
Baby sighed, he knew his mother wouldn't miss an opportunity to campaign. By paying off every student's loan, she had indirectly bought their will, and they have no option but to vote for his father in the next governorship election.
How he hated a dishonest person.
He caught her flashing Hannah a victorious smile, silently celebrating her big win.
"It is only right that we help the children, Claire, and as an act of selfless service, I shall take up the school's auditorium project until it's completed," Hannah pledged.
Another round of cheering filled the air, making Baby sick with a headache.
He wanted to leave already.
After the very thankful remarks from the president, they finally left with their mothers.
Outside the parking lot, Baby walked slowly behind his mother while Saint hooked an arm around his mother, even holding her purse in his hand.
They were two different families, one filled with genuine love, and the other filled with unrequited love.
Baby knew people were watching, he hurried over and opened the car door for her mother, painting a smile on his face.
Claire paused beside the car, staring up at her son's face, a gentle smile masking her face.
"This month's charity gala is by weekend. Don't disappoint us," She touched his cheek and elegantly lowered herself into the car, closing the door by herself.
Baby crescented his nails into his palms, his jaws clenching as he watched the flashy car drive away.
His day has been ruined.
He doesn't see his mother for two years and the only thing she could ask him was not to disappoint them.
How typical of her.
Baby thought he had become immune to her distance, but, he realised that he still craved her attention, her love, her praises, her kisses and all the things he'd missed growing up.
"Can we talk?" Saint's voice spoke behind him, an instant intrusion to his thoughts.
He was immediately reminded of Cam's words: Saint didn't touch a single drop of alcohol.
His initial fear of the truth was overshadowed by the arrival of his mother, leaving him bitter and ready to face whatever came his way.
"Sure," Baby replied and walked away, heading toward the empty basketball court.
Saint followed Baby quietly, noting how serious Baby looked. He hadn't missed anything throughout their mother's visit, he had seen the way Baby glared, longed, and frowned at his mother. The tension on Baby's face and shoulders was unmissable and it made Saint wonder just what Baby's relationship with his family was like.
Baby walked into the basketball court and stood at the white line that divided the court in half. His back faced Saint as he waited for him to arrive close enough to speak.
"You look like you have a lot to say," Saint came up beside Baby, glancing at his serious face.
Baby slowly turned, facing Saint, his eyes searching his face for a while.
"I do have a few things to ask, Saint," Baby spoke calmly, his hands sliding into his pockets as he held Saint's gaze.
Saint nodded, "Go ahead." He said
"Did you know about their plan? Asking us to represent at the charity gala?" He questioned, watching Saint closely to detect any lies.
Saint sighed and shook his head, "I heard just at the same time you did." He answered honestly.
Baby nodded.
He bit his lip as he thought of how to shape the next question, regardless, it needed to be asked, if not, he would be kept to assume 5hings for the rest of his life.
"Last night..." he started, chewing the insides of his cheeks, thinking of how to add the rest of the question.
Saint stilled, already assuming what was coming.
They had concluded the incident as a drunken mistake, but if Baby was bringing it up again, it could only mean that he might have just figured something out, something he wasn't supposed to.
"What about last night, Baby?" Saint asked calmly, as if he wasn't bothered by the fact that Baby was about to ask something taboo.
Baby cleared his throat and straightened his back, lifting his head to lock gaze with Saint's unwavering eyes.
"You kissed me, Saint. And, you weren't drunk. Why?" Baby questioned in a very soft voice so only Saint could hear the taboo question he asked.
Saint gulped.
There, he figured it out, how was he supposed to reply now? How does he get himself out of this catastrophic mess?