When you go..

*three months had passed leading them into january*

Mom: August, your home

August; *looked at her as he tried to walk past*

Mom; you know you could at least try to make something good out of the mood or at least ACT like you're a little grateful. This was all for you kids you know that. So please if your gonna be an ungrateful ass you can at least fake a smile for me.

August: *shot her a fake smile that faded after a second*

Mom: that's better, oh did I tell you about this girl your age? She's my coworkers niece and— *ever since the family had caught August in bed with riven his mother was hellbent on trying to find a "nice woman" to make August happy despite knowing he's gay.*

August; I'm not interested—

Mom: ...you know you and that Riven kid breaking up was probably the best thing for you? I mean look at it now, we're in new town, a new home, clean from all that sin he brought into you,

August: *hated this conversation, his hands got all shaky and he wanted to throw up*

Mom: and I mean new town, new experiences to try. Like maybe you get a girlfriend—

August: mom. I have a lot of homework to get done so can I leave now?

Mom: sure auggie, just try to be a little happier and, I hate to say it, normal for mommy please?

August: sure.. *had winced at the nickname, headed to his room, he sat on his bed, he went to lay down but an image flashed in his head, a few nights ago his parents took his sister to a teachers meeting and his older brother had.. did something to august that he even struggled with thinking about, august hated feeling that week but Seth scared him so much. August remembered that night as the first time Seth did something and held a knife up to him to get him to do it. He had been pinned down with a knife to his throat just crying. Thinking about that night made august cry a bit again. His life wasn't the best at the moment, he hadn't made any attempts at making friends at school nor even trying to do good in school, he also hadn't slept in days, nor had he eaten. He was starting to look like a monster at his height with so little weight. All that kept him going were the good memories of the past summer with riven but even that would hurt when he remembered that was over, so he pulled out his phone and scrolled through instagram, he found a photo posted by Alec of all of his friends at some sort of New Years party*

AlecKnowsBest posted; another year slipped away from our grasp but least we still all have eachother

*attached to the stereotypical New Years quote was a photo of all of his friends, Jax and Edwin wearing those cringy year glasses, Aileen drinking sparkling grape juice with soleil, Riven cuddled up with a guy laughing— wait*

August: *had froze when he saw that, his eyes locked to the screen, Riven— his Riven had already moved on. After 3 months Riven was already with someone new? Riven was living his life and moving on and august was here crying over a photo of it. August felt his heart sink into his stomach, this really was the last thing he needed, abusive brother, no friends, emotionally abusive mother who views him as a sin and now— to find out he's been daydreaming about someone who isn't his, what else does he have now?

———

Carmen: *had come to bring her brother dinner later that night* Aug, dinner is getting cold, I'd notice you hadn't been eating and thought I'd save you some— august? August!! *she had dropped the plate of food and tried not to cry as she ran into the living room* Mom!!! August is hurt!! Really bad!!

Mom: what do you mean *let Carmen drag her to Augusts room and her eyes widened* August!!

———

*it was the next day*

Aileen: *had just gotten off the phone with Edwin, she was trying not to cry but she was already a shaking mess as she dialed Rivens number*