Ash POV
It's been about a week since I moved in with Max, I haven't heard a single thing from my parents and I can't tell if it's a good or bad thing.
It's a strange thing not living with them anymore. I don't have that constant feeling of being watched, I feel so much more comfortable just existing, and I don't think I've ever been happier. Living with Max has been a dream, but I'm worried that It's all going to end soon.
I told Max about my streaming and she was so happy for me, but then she decided she needed to get my PC back. I obviously couldn't wait to start playing games and streaming with my friends again, but on the other hand, I could totally wait to see my parents again. Thankfully, Max decided she would get it by herself, not even letting me try to go with her. Sadly, that also means that she is in danger of ruining her relationship with our parents as well, and it's all my fault.
She doesn't deserve that.
Max POV
I'm currently on my way to my parent's house to grab Ash's computer. When I heard about their streaming I couldn't let them leave it behind. I'm just so proud of them for being able to do something they love and, to be honest, they finally have friends!
It sounds mean, but they always had a hard time making friends when they were younger. They even had some issues with bullying for a few years, but I don't think they even realized it. I watched a couple of videos from their streams and it just means so much to me that they're so clearly happy and having a good time with people who care about them.
I haven't bothered to call to let my parents know I'm on the way, I have a key and, frankly, they don't fucking deserve it.
I'm pissed with how they treated my little sibling, god, they better hope they're not home.
I park at the top of the driveway, sadly next to my father's car. I think through how to deal with them as I unlock the front door and walk in.
Before I could even get through the door, I already heard my mother's voice calling "Are you finally back, Chloe?"
She couldn't have sounded more bored. How dare she? Her child has run away and she couldn't care less. "Chloe? Who's that? Never heard of them." I responded as I walked in and saw my mother sitting on the couch, her back to me.
She turned her head to look at me once she heard me speak. "Oh, my darling Maxine! What a surprise, it's lovely to see you." She stood up and walked in front of me, clearly expecting a hug.
Walking around her to the basement door I said, "Yea, I'm not staying long, just gonna pick something up." Her pseudo-sweetness is going to drown me if I let her keep me here too long.
"Oh... has Chloe run to you, spouting all her nonsense? Frankly, she needs to learn to grow up."
That's it, I've barely been here a minute and I'm at my breaking point. I turn right around, my half an inch all I need to tower over her at the moment.
"You have no right to say a word about them. They are still a child, a wonderful, smart, growing child, but a child non the less. They are learning about who they are and it was your job as a parent to listen, support, and guild them, and you failed every single time."
My hands are clenched at my sides as I speak.
"Not just recently either! For so long you've been overlooking them, and, I mean, god, it has been what? a week? and I haven't seen or heard any sign of you trying to find out where your goddam child is! You do know you're still legally responsible for them, right? I mean they-"
"Not for long." That took some of the wind out of my sails admittedly.
"What?
"Well, since you seem to know all about the situation, I'm pretty sure she's been with you. So if you think I'm such a failure of a parent, you can take over." All traces of warmth had been drained from her voice as she walked past me to the kitchen counter where there was a packet of paper.
I couldn't help but follow her and reach out to grab them when she offered the papers to me...
I can't believe them.
Ash POV
I jumped up as I heard the click of a key in the front door's lock, followed quickly by Max walking in... without my computer?
She just looked really concerned? or... scared? or sad? worried? Something like that, and she held a decently thick bundle of papers.
"Max? Are you okay?"
She seemed startled when I spoke and forced a smile on her face when she made eye contact with me.
"Oh, hey there, Ash. So, I have good news and bad news. Bad news, I got a bit sidetracked and couldn't get your computer. Good news, I get to be your new mom!"
She said it in a happy way but... what about my old one? I thought back to the papers Max had not so subtly moved behind her back...
Oh.
Oh.
I couldn't keep my emotions from my face or tone when I responded to her, "Oh, that's amazing, Max. I- I think I'm just going to hang out in my room for a bit if that's okay." I had started down the hallway to Max's guest room before she got the chance to reply.
"Um, yea... okay then..." her voice faded out as I shut the door.
-----
*do do dodo do do dodo do do dodo discord incoming call sounds*
"Hey! Ashman! Just wanted to check in, you still aren't online, do you have your PC back yet?"
"Hey, Tommy... Um, not quite. Max got sidetracked and couldn't pick it up from my pa- well... she got sidetracked and I don't have it."
"Oh, is everything alright?"
"Yea, everything is great! It's just..."
"Ash?"
"Tommy, they're disowning me."
(JK yall are getting more)
"What?"
"My parents. They're done! I- he, I don't think I ever really thought they would... but no! Haha, they're done with me!"
"Ash, I- I'm sorry. They're absolute shit anyways! You deserve so much better, and now you can get it!"
"Tommy, thank you, but the thing is, that's not completely true. I know it's something wrong with me and not them because I have their relationships with Leo and Max to look at for proof!"
"Ash, that doesn-"
"I mean, god, they spent all summer with Leo, trying to find the right school for him. They've been supportive of all his shit! Hahahahahaha, so it must be because of me!"
"None of this is yo-"
"GOD, how much of a fuck up am I! HAHAHAHA!"
"ASH. SHUT. UP. Just, listen, okay?"
"..."
"Okay, um... fuck how do I say this... okay. Bad people can do good things and still be shit fucking people, okay? Just because they were okay with your siblings' ways of doing shit, does not mean they can't be at fault for how they've treated you. You have done nothing wrong and you're fucking amazing just the way you are."
"Tommy?"
"Yea?"
"Thank you, you're a good friend."
"No fucking shit."
Max POV
Sitting outside of Ash's new room, I can hear them calm down as one of their friends talks to them.
I still can't believe the way our mother handled this situation. I can't imagine treating someone in the way our parents have been treating Ash, much less my own child. She was so cold when she gave me the papers.
*Flashback*
"Mom, what the fuck is this?"
"Language, Missy, and it's just what it looks like."
"It can't be, because this looks like you're disowning your child."
"Please, Chloe is the one causing this whole mess. If she doesn't want to be our daughter, she won't be, simple as that."
"So you're quitting your job as a parent fifteen years in?"
"You clearly have some strong opinions about the job I've been doing, so do it yourself. Now, I love having you hear, but if this is all you came over for I suggest you leave, now. Maybe you can come back for a proper visit soon though! Your father and I would love to have you."
*End of Flashback*
She really had the gall to smile at me while she escorted me out of her house.
I have a lot of legal stuff to work through, but I know I'll be able to adopt Ash.
On the plus side, they'll never have to listen to our parents ever again.