NovelFinishChapter 35 The morning sun streamed through the kitchen window, casting a warm glow over the room as Sarah bustled around, preparing breakfast.
The smell of freshly toasted bread and scrambled eggs filled the air.
Alex slouched at the table, idly poking at his cereal with a spoon, his eyes half open, his mood as sour as the occasional grumble he let out.
He tossed the spoon in the bowl, his brow furrowed in sannoyance.
The training his father had set for him weighed heavily on his mind.
Alex wasn't one to defy orders from his father; he wouldn't dare. His mother, Sarah, was another matter altogether.
He had mastered the art of evading her gentle scolding and pretending not to hear her commands, but his father's words were law.
"Well, I don't feel like eating breakfast, I'm going to go to the restroom and wash up." Alex mumbled under his breath, lazily walking towards the restroom.
His actions mirrored his reluctance.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtHe wandered the corridors idly, like he was dragging something invisible with him, while leaving everything that needed to be dealt with to others.
"Mom!" he called out from the bathroom. "The water's too cold. Can you adjust the temperature?" Her voice floated back to him from the kitchen. "You're old enough to do that yourself, Alex." "I'm already in here!" he retorted.
Moments later, she appeared in the doorway, her arms crossed.
"Alex, you're not a little boy anymore. It's tyou started doing these small things on your own." Her firm tone caught him off guard. He froze mid-grumble, staring at her as though she'd suddenly transformed into someone else.
"But you always.." "I used to," she interrupted, her voice softening as she glanced at her son. "But you're grown now. You've got to learn." Twas running out, and Alex knew it. His lips pressed into a thin line, his pride wounded but his desperation greater.
"Please, Mom?" he finally begged, his tone tinged with childlike urgency.
Sarah sighed. She wasn't immune to her son's pleading eyes, no matter how much she tried to stand firm. "Fine. Just this once," she relented, helping him gather his things.
He got out of the shower and Sarah inquired, "Did you sleep well, Alex?" 22:27 Crippled Luna's Farewell; Half A Life Without My AlpDe 26.2% Her tone was light and hopeful, an attempt to draw him out of his morning funk Alex shrugged, not bothering to lift his head. "I guess." Sarah resisted the urge to sigh and advised. “Eat a little something before school..... You look tired lately, I hope you're adjusting to school." "I was at this school for a while before and it was great." Alex muttered, his tone clipped.
He swirled his spoon in the cereal bowl, watching as the milk turned murky.
"Fine doesn't really tellmuch." Sarah pressed gently. "Anything exciting coming up? A project? A test?" Alex's jaw tightened. "I said it's fine. Can we not do this?" Her chest tightened at his dismissal, but she pushed forward, determined to bridge the growing gap between them.
"I just wanted to know how things were going, and.." "I know what I'm gonna do, Mom.” Alex snapped, finally looking up.
His eyes flashed with irritation, and Sarah's heart sank.
She took a deep breath, willing herself to remain calm.
"I'm not trying to annoy you, Alex. I just care about what's happening in your life." "Well, you don't need to," he shot back. "You always ask a bunch of questions like it's skind of interrogation. Why can't you just leavealone?" Sarah flinched but quickly masked her hurt.
"Asking questions is how I show I care, Alex. It's not about prying; it's about understanding." "Yeah, well, Aunt Linda doesn't do that, and I like talking to her way more,” Alex said, crossing his arms.
Sarah's throat tightened.
The mention of Linda stung, but she managed to keep her tone steady.
“I'm not Linda. I'm your mom. And it's my job to make sure you're okay." Alex rolled his eyes, pushing his cereal bowl away. "I don't need you to. I'm not a baby." For a moment, the kitchen was filled with nothing but the ticking of the wall clock.
Sarah studied her son, his posture defensive, his expression closed off.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
She wondered at what point the sweet little boy, who had once been willing to tell her anything; had to becthis guarded, temperamental character.
"Alex," she began softly, leaning forward, "no matter er how annoyed you are withI'm always going to care.
ine That's not going to change." "Whatever," Alex muttered, grabbing his backpack from the floor.
22:27 Crippled Luna's Farewell; Half A Life Without My Al De 26.4% Chapter 35 He didn't even glance back as he slung it over his shoulder.
"I just hope you'll understand someday," she whispered to them empty kitchen, before clearing his uneaten breakfast from the table.
As she reached into his backpack to check for anything missing, her fingers brushed against something small and metallic.
She pulled out a badge, its glossy surface catching the morning sunlight.
"What's this?" she asked, holding it up.
Alex's eyes widened, and he quickly snatched it from her hand.
Chapter 36 Chapter 36
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