The Headmaster's Secret (♡Completed♡)

40

Alex's P.O.V.

The ride home was silent. When we got there, Maverick went straight to his room and Lily went to ours, both doors slamming. I sighed, going to Maverick's first,

"Mav? Can we please talk?"

"Fine.", he snapped. I walked in, finding him angrily throwing things into bags. "What'd I do?", he asked me, stopping, "What did I do wrong? I just wanna have fun and-and do something I really like."

"I know kiddo. I shouldn't have encouraged you to go behind her back and I'm really sorry."

"It's fine.", he whispered, "It was my fault too." He went back to packing, much slower now.

"Please stop packing."

"You heard her. I'm going back."

"I'm not gonna let that happen."

"You can't do anything Alex!", he snapped, "You're not my dad, okay?"

"Yes, I am."

"No you're not. You're the guy my mom's sleeping with. You're the guys she's using until she gets bored. That's what she does, okay? And I'm the one who picks up her broken pieces and then my own. She never fixes me. This is the best thing she's ever done for me and now she's taking it away." He sat on the bed, clearly defeated, "I-I just wanted a family. I just wanted to-to be safe. I wanted a home."

"You have it kiddo."

"No, I don't. I was borrowing it. Now I have to leave. It-It's been so long." He paused, "It's been over two years since anyone hit me to hurt me. I-I don't know if I can take going back to that."

"Hey, I'm gonna fix this. I promise. I'm not gonna let them hurt you again." He nodded a little, clearly not believing me. "We both screwed up. But I'm not gonna let you go back to a toxic and terrible situation when this is your family. You belong here kid. You're absolutely my son, end of story."

"Thanks."

"I'm gonna go talk to your mom." He nodded as I got up and went toxour room, knocking, "Lily? We need to talk." The door opened as I found her doing the same as Maverick, packing bags.

"Fine. Talk."

"I screwed up. Bad. And I'm so sorry. I never should have gone behind your back and parented against you and I never will again. But this is your home. And this is Maverick's home. As far as him and I are concerned, I am a hundred percent his dad. I know you're angry and I completely understand that and you're allowed to be angry, but you're not sending him back there. You're not putting him back where he'll be hurt because on top of that you will lose your son. We will lose our son Lily. And I'm not letting that happen."

"Football is too dangerous for him-"

"Baby, walking on the beach is dangerous.", I laughed softly, "Standing by the window, riding in a car, walking down the street- it's all dangerous sweetie. But when he's taught properly and pays attention, those things aren't as dangerous anymore. He said it himself, he didn't listen to his coach at tryouts. That is why he has a concussion. You cannot hold him back from doing what he loves because you're worried he'll get hurt. I am too! I couldn't breathe when I got that call Lil. I was terrified. And I always will be because he's my son. But life will always be dangerous. There is always a chance he'll get hurt. And it really is terrifying. But you trying to stop him from living will only make him resent you and we both know he already does baby. You guys are doing really good at fixing that and I don't want something like this to ruin it." She sighed, sitting on the bed,

"You're right.", she whispered, "I know you're right. I just feel like you're the only one actually parenting. I-I wanted to tell him no for once, just so he remembers I'm his mom and I'm in charge too. I was scared and I took it out on you and I'm sorry."

"It's okay. Please, please stay. This is your home baby." She nodded,

"I will. These bags are empty." I chuckled, hugging her tightly,

"I love you so much."

"I love you more. Let's go talk to Mav." I followed her out and to his room, where he sat on the floor sadly. "Hey." He looked up. "You can play football."

"That's not the good news I wanted.", he whispered.

"We're staying here. It's our home. Alex is your dad and I could never take that away from you baby." He jumped up, hugging us both tightly,

"I'm sorry I said I hated you. I don't. I love you."

"I love you too Mavvy."

~~~~

I sighed, sitting towards the middle of the roof,

"You won't do it.", I muttered.

"I won't?", Lindsey laughed, moving closer to the edge.

"Well, maybe you will. Out of spite. But you don't want to die Lindsey."

"You don't know me."

"I do know you. You're actual name is Tiana. You go by your middle name because you're named after your mother and you hate her. You and your dad have okay relationship, but you envy your older sisters and brother because they're all successful and living their best lives. That's why you're here. You strived to make it to the top so he'd be proud of you, but kiddo, he already is. In reality, you being so far from him kills both of you. You struggle making friends and joining clubs and sports because you're without your biggest cheerleader." I paused, "I know much more than you think Lins. Will you please get down and we can go talk?" She hesitated before slowly stepping off the ledge,

"How'd you know all that?"

"I do my research. Everyone here is one of my kids. I know at least the surface of their lives and I'm good at keeping a little file cabinet in my head." She laughed a little. "C'mon. I'll buy you tea and we can talk."

"You're really good at your job."

"I hope so."