“I’d really like to go home now,” Mikey said from behind the safety of her hands since they provided an opportunity for her to continue pretending that this wasn’t happening, but unfortunately for her, her father wasn’t willing to do the same.

“Food hasn’t arrived yet,” he pointed out helplessly.

“I’m not hungry,” she said, really wishing that they weren’t here, and they wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the other man sitting across from her.

“Big day,” Uncle Trevor murmured, no doubt shooting her another encouraging smile that was meant to reassure her that everything was okay when they all knew that her life was over.

“Big day,” her father murmured in agreement while the boy that was supposed to be her best friend sat next to her, reading the book he’d apparently had stashed in the van and ignoring her during her time of need.

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“Maybe we should call mom?” Sebastian suggested as he stood there, shooting a helpless glance towards his father and uncle who were still off to the side arguing before glancing back at the van to find Mikey still hiding in the back seat.

“We really should,” Mikey seconded from the safety of the van.

“We’ve got this,” his father said firmly, which was seconded by a firm nod by Uncle Reese and a shared fist bump that had Sebastian standing there, licking his lips nervously as he watched his uncle pluck Mikey out of the van, throw her over his shoulder and head towards the mall.

“Let’s go,” his father said, gesturing for him to follow, but he didn’t want to follow.

He didn’t want to go in there for this, because he knew that if he did that he would never be able to look his best friend in the eye again. So, it was for her and her alone that he turned around and-

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