Ethan's pov
After leaving the family in the dining room, I went back to my chores. I worked through the night to distract myself from my thoughts and by the time of morning, I looked for more work to do instead of sleeping.
I tried not to think about anything, tried to keep my mind calm, but nothing worked.
As I entered the kitchen to prepare breakfast, I noticed my aunt was already cooking. I tried helping her but received a shove instead.
"Get out," she said bluntly without sparing me a glance.
I didn't say anything and quietly walked out of the kitchen.
My feet dragged me past the backyard, through the gate and onto the road as though they had a mind of their own.
I didn't know where I was going, but I kept walking anyway.
A few minutes later, I found myself standing at the edge of a bridge.
A bitter smile formed on my lips.
If no one believed me and all that awaited me was a lifetime of insults and disgusted stares, then what was the point of living anymore?
Mom... Dad... I'm sorry.
I really tried to keep going, but it feels like the whole world is against me.
I think it's finally time for me to meet you both again... to be in your arms again.
I hope you can forgive me for the decision I'm about to make.
A tear slid down my cheek as I slowly took a step forward.
Emily's pov
My heart was beating so fast as I walked down the street. I was thinking about how to break the good news to Ethan. How would he feel? He will be happy right?
Of course he will be.
I had forced the location of where he lived from Sam's mouth since I didn't know where he lived.
I didn't even think of asking Daniel because I knew he would never tell me.
As I strolled through the street, few people walking along, I watched the sun hit the surface of the water beneath the bridge at the other side.
The sight was breathtaking and I couldn't take my eyes off of it. The sight calmed my nerves and my restless heart. Suddenly I saw something, someone that made the smile on my face falter.
The silhouette of that person looked so familiar. I strained my eyes to look better and I gasped at who it was.
I crossed the road without caring about the cars blaring their horns for my hasty attitude. I ran as fast as I could and the closer I got, the more terrified I became.
I got to where he was and the first thing I saw was the lifeless look on his face. He was smiling so bitterly and looked like he had lost all hope.
"Ethan" I screamed his name when I saw him move his foot forward. He froze after hearing his name.
The boy turned his head slowly and his lifeless eyes met mine.
"Ethan, please don't do this" I pleaded.
"How did you come here?" He asked slowly, his voice hoarse.
"I... I"
"It doesn't matter. Leave me alone" he cut me off before facing the water again.
"How can you think of doing this? The truth came out. We all now know you didn't steal it. Your expulsion has been revoked and we're all looking forward to your returning. So please come down from there" I said taking a careful step forward.
He turned his head back to face me and looked at me for a brief moment, a swirl of emotions in his eyes before they settled again.
Suddenly he laughed.
Not the kind of laughter that shows that one is happy but a pained one.
"What's the use? If something similar happens again, I'll still be the first person to be blamed. I'm tired of this life Emily. I've tried, I've tried my best to push on. I have fought against life ever since my parents died and right now I have no more will to fight. I have lost it Emily." He said shaking his head.
His words made me wonder the kind of pain a young boy like this had to go through and I pitied him. I took more steps towards him very slowly because somewhere within me, I felt he was going to jump despite my pleas.
"Look Ethan, doing this won't help you in anyway. You still have a long way to go...."
"No you're wrong. This is the only way to help me, to get rid of this shameful life. Goodbye and thank you for everything, for always standing up for me." After saying that, he forced a smile.
He was about to move his second foot which would have made him fall into the water when I rushed forward. I grabbed his hand and pulled him back with all the strength I could muster.
We both fell back on the ground with me lying on top of him.
The boy tried standing up again and before I could stop myself, I slapped him hard across the face.
He paused for a second, glaring at me and I am sure my actions had shocked him.
"Now listen to me, very carefully. I won't let you do anything stupid, not while I'm here. Yes you're right, life is unfair but is this really the way to go about it? You are still very young and you want to give up this early? How disappointed your parents must be." It seemed my words were having an effect as he stopped struggling.
"You don't understand a thing." He cried and my heart broke for him.
"You are right, I don't understand. I don't think I have ever gone through even a fraction of what you are passing through but what I do understand is that you can't give up like this. Maybe if you live for another day, there might be a change. And if there isn't, don't give up, live for another day. If you keep it up, you never know when your dark world will light up. Don't give up Ethan, I beg of you." I pleaded, staring into his eyes with intensity. I wanted him to feel the weight of my words.
Looking at him right now, I felt something other than curiosity, I felt pity and an urge to help him keep on living, to help him fight and not lose hope.
Third person's pov
School was over for the day.
Daniel was sitting on the passenger's seat of Raymond's car as they drove to his house.
The car was silent throughout the drive, each of them having different thoughts.
When they got to the house, Raymond parked his car and followed Daniel into the house and to his utmost delight, the adults were around.
"Good afternoon, Mr and Mrs Tyron. How are you doing today?" He greeted them to have the other two smile at him and ask him to have a seat.
Aunt Gabriella offered him tea but the man kindly refused as he was here for something more important.
"We are doing very well sir. May I ask who you are?" Aunt Gabriella asked sheepishly as the man was tall and handsome. The smile on her face fell when she saw the ring on his finger.
"I'm Raymond. Daniel's teacher in school. I was the one who misplaced my necklace." He said with an awkward smile.
"Ohh, you are welcome sir. We are really sorry for what Ethan did. I didn't raise him well and now look at the shame he had brought to us." Aunt Gabriella said. She had heard the man use the word misplace instead of stolen but thought he had just made a mistake.
"No. The necklace wasn't stolen. I was the one who misplaced it out of my carelessness. That's why I'm here, to apologize and ask Ethan to return to school tomorrow. Where is Ethan by the way?" Raymond explained.
The whole room fell into silence at Raymond's explanation.
The other two adults stared at Raymond with shock. They shifted their gaze to their son to see if the man was lying and Daniel's expression confirmed the words spoken.
Ethan didn't steal the necklace?