Chapter Thirty One-2

And with those words, Jesse left the room as well, his footsteps sounding throughout the home as he went to his room. The door upstairs slammed, leaving Everett, Peter and Cole alone together in the kitchen. Soundlessly, Everett scooted back in his chair and collected the dishes.Slowly but steadily, he moved around the table and stacked the dishes in the sink. The tension in the room was high and he did his best to ignore it, going back to his seat. Peter still sat in his spot, Cole made little noises in his seat. Finally, Everett broke the glass like silence. "Dad. He needs this," he said quietly, leaning forward and bracing his arms on his knees. "I'll get to you in a minute, right after I've processed your brothers little announcement," Peter replied sternly. "If you think for one second that you're going all the way to Philadelphia, you have another thing coming." Locking his jaw into place, Everett stood once more, this time with determination. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to calm down and focus. Getting angry wouldn't do anything for the situation. Everyone was stressed at the moment and blowing a fuse wouldn't ease the situation in anyway whatsoever. "Dad, I'm not saying that the path Jesse wants to take is the one you believe in.But it's what he believes in. Shouldn't that count for something?" "Jesse wants to throw his life away!" "No, he wants to figure his life out!" Everett didn't realize how loud his voice was until the rest of the home became quiet. Huffing out air, he continued, "People don't figure things out in the same way. Jesse can't be in a college auditorium; it'll kill him. He can't do it your way." And with that, Everett left the kitchen, slowly making his way upstairs to the where his younger brother hid. One hand on the wall, Everett followed the wall down to the end, where he lightly knocked on the door. "Not interested," came the testy reply. Everett raised his eyebrows, knocking one more time. "I come in peace." In seconds, the door opened and Everett was yanked inside. "I'm so done." Sighing, Everett followed his younger brother across the room; Jesse dropped down to his bed and sat up against the wall, Everett following suit. Crinkling noises came from Jesse and several pieces of licorice were thrust into his hand. Mumbling his thanks, Everett gnawed off a pieces of the candy in his hand, leaning his head back on the wall. "What's happening to our family?" Jesse mumbled, heaving out a sigh. "Jesse, it's not like the family is falling apart." Everett told him firmly. "It's just . . . changing. I don't think any of us are really equipped to handle this. They're just surprised. I think . . . I think it's difficult for them. The only one left, really, is Cole. " When Jesse didn't reply, he continued, "We're growing up. You're forging your path, I'm forging mine. I think it's hard on them knowing that two of their kids are leaving the nest." "I don't want to go to college, I meant that," Jesse reaffirmed. Everett could feel the shaking of his head from where their shoulders met and frowned. "I can't do it. I just want to be free for a while. I get that it's hard on them, but that shouldn't mean I have to suffocate myself, you know?" Everett nodded in understanding. "I know. And I want you to know that I'm behind you on this. Out of the two of us, you always played the role of big brother. It's my turn. I want you to be happy, Jesse, and I will support you. Even if it means you living in the woods like a hobo, if that's what makes you happy . . ." Everett paused to grin. "Then I got your back." He then held up his fist with raised eyebrows. "Really," Jesse deadpanned. "You want me to fist bump you?" "We're bros, Jesse. Bros fist bump." Rolling his eyes. Jesse raised his fist and lightly tapped it against Everett's. Despite the tense conversation downstairs, Everett was pleased to hear a small chuckle leave Jesse. He clapped Jesse on his shoulder. "We'll get through it, Jesse. I promise." * * * * * * * * * * * "Are you guys going to be okay?" He shrugged in response to Lizzie's question as she sat tucked under his arm, unsure of the response. To be honest, the North parents hadn't really spoken to their children the past two days. In some ways, it felt a bit like a blessing. On one hand they didn't have to deal with the wrath of their parents. But on the other hand, Everett couldn't remember the last time their parents were this angry and upset. Everett knew the news both he and Jesse unleashed a few nights ago probably changed the entire world their parents built up in their heads. While they wouldn't have normally been opposed to Everett getting out and experiencing the world, Everett knew they most likely felt they would be part of that experience as well. Maybe they hoped to keep a watch on Everett. And while Everett appreciated it, he wouldn't be going into this unprepared. He knew exactly what he needed to do to make sure his college experience was a good one. He wouldn't let his disability get the better of his anymore. He could be so much more if he only gave himself the chance. As for Jesse, well . . . Jesse needed a bit of freedom. Classroom rules and responsibility were something that would hold him back from becoming an amazing human being. Everett wanted him to see the world; heaven knew that Everett wouldn't be able to see the world. So Jesse should get the chance to do it, for both their sake, but mostly for himself. "It's a mess, Lizzie," he confessed, raking a hand through his hair. "I think we really overloaded them. I'm not sure what the next move is. I feel bad, but I don't want to skip going to college. I want this." Lizzie nodded in understanding. "Do you think it's going to damage the relationship with your family, though?" Again, Everett shrugged. "I'm not sure. I'm a little nervous to talk to them, but I don't want to just shut them out. I don't want them to shut me out, either." Blowing out a huge breath of air, he shook his head and let it drop against the back of the couch. "This is turning into more of a situation than I ever intended it to." "I'm sorry, Ev," Lizzie muttered, slinging one arm over his chest and hugging him close. The arm he had around her shoulder reciprocated and Everett couldn't help but smile a bit. "You'll get through it. I know you will. Something's gotta give eventually, right?" Everett nodded in reply. "Yeah," he breathed out. "Eventually." He hoped he would get to talk to their parents when they got home later. He wanted this whole thing resolved already. Only a few days into the stand off and he already felt like a mess. However, that eventually came walking down the stairs about thirty minutes into the movie playing on TV, in the form of one Jesse North. "Hey, guys?" Both Lizzie and Everett turned to him. "Can . . . can I talk to you?" "Of course!" Lizzie leaned forward and grabbed the remote, pausing the movie and giving Jesse the floor. "What's up?" she inquired, giving him that super intense look she wore whenever her curiosity level rose. Jesse slowly moved in front of them, sitting down on the coffee table and propping one arm on his leg, resting his head there. "Well, I've been thinking a bit. I lot actually," he said, laughing humorlessly. "I think I know what I have to do - and I have to do it soon." "And that is?" The room became quiet, nothing could be heard except for the breathing of the three people sitting in front of each other. "I'm leaving."