SomeWhere On... (BXB)

EXTRA: ...Danebury Avenue (A Vignette)

Sunday roast with my family's is my punishment. But I don't care. The food's gotten worse, but I eat it anyway.

"Tom, pass the chick'n," Mum says. She's staring at me while I do it. Mum takes some, sips her wine, and eats a little.

I don't remember how I got here. I take another bite of the smile potatoes. They're dry. My face hurts but I don't care.

"How's school, Gav?" I ask. My voice's hoarse.

Michael's watching me.

"...'s fine," Gavin says. His eyes are red but focused.

Mum clears her throat. "Any new assignments coming up?" Mum asks, taking another sip of her wine.

Gavin nods. "I..." He keeps looking at me. Gavin clears his throat. "I,uh...have some revisions to do afterwards."

"'lright," she sighs. "Well, 's long as y' stay on top 'f your work."

I take another bite. I feel so sick. My head's like I slammed it against concrete for hours.

"Tom?"

I pull out my phone. Murph hasn't messaged me back even though I keep messaging him, hoping that he will. I turn it off, and really look athow bruised my ugly fucking face is in the screen.

"Tom?"

I put it pack in my pocket. "Hm?" I look up at Michael.

"Did somethin' happ'n?" he asks.

I clench my jaw and look down at my plate. I don't say anything.

They talk about Gavin's upcoming training contract. Some law firm in the City.

My phone buzzes. I fumble with it before seeing who it is. "Yeah?"

"Hey..." Steve starts. "Need an out?"

I nod and sigh. "Yeah." Then hang up. Steve's going to say something, but I don't deserve it. I stuff another piece of chicken in my mouth. The gravy's too thick. It makes me think that I'm swallowing paste.

Mum inhales and asks, "'ow's work?"

"It's gettin' on, Mum."

Mum nods and picks at her chicken. She peels off the skin. "Oh, Michael. 'ave they filled the empty HR positi'n yet?"

"No, not yet," he mumbles. Then mutters something about David and his wife.

I eat another piece of chicken.

I want to scream.

I cut out a piece of the smile potato and soak up the gravy with it.

Someone moves the salt closer to me.

I take a sip of water. I check my phone.

Murphy still hasn't messaged me. His flight home's probably left by now.

I never got the book back from him.

My eyes burn.

And I stuff another piece of dry chicken in my mouth.

~ ~ ~

A/N~
hi, everyone! the last three chapters have been updated to reflect the edits and revisions I've made to make this story the strongest it can be! what do you think so far?
also, for anyone interested, i post new chapter updates over on my Patreon for as little as $1 a month, as well as other behind the scenes things. feel free to check it out!