Chapter 64: Decision

Jace was lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He couldn't seem to think straight. Grandma had called him for breakfast in the morning, but he didn't show up. He had even skipped school. He didn't know how he would face his band. He felt like he had failed them and needed to take responsibility for it. He heard a knock on his door but ignored it, turning onto his side. He didn't want to talk to anyone; he just wanted some time alone. "Jace, it's me, your dad. Open the door," Joseph said from the other side of the door. "Dad? What's he doing here?" Jace thought as he got to his feet sluggishly. He walked toward the door and unlocked it but didn't bother to open it, returning to his bed. He lay down, turning to face the window. Joseph, hearing the click of the lock, entered. "Why is your room so dark?" he asked, looking around before walking to the window. He drew the curtains aside, making Jace groan. "What?" Joseph asked as the sunlight flooded the room through the glass wall. "What are you doing here, Dad?" Jace asked as he sat up, frowning at his father. "Am I not allowed in your room?" Joseph asked, raising his eyebrows. He walked around the room, observing it. "I can see you've changed. Music note wallpaper? That's cool," Joseph said, nodding approvingly. "Just go straight to the point. I'm sure you're not here to observe my room. Shouldn't you be at work right now?" Jace said, his tone flat. Joseph shrugged. "It's been a while since I came here, and I missed you and your mom." "Your lie is obvious, Dad. Find a better one. I'm not a kid anymore." Jace paused, noticing his dad's nervous expression, then continued, "If you're here because of the competition, you don't need to worry. As you can see, I'm fine. You can leave now." He lay back down, staring at the ceiling. Joseph sighed and sat at the edge of the bed. "Are you sure you're fine?" he asked, concern evident in his voice. He remembered what Jace had gone through after his mother's death and didn't want him to slip back into a dark place. "I'm fine, Dad. You don't need to worry about me," Jace replied. "If you're fine, why did you skip breakfast and school?" Joseph pressed. "I just didn't feel like it. I wanted to be alone, and I wasn't hungry. I'll eat when I'm hungry," Jace said, shrugging. Joseph nodded thoughtfully. "How about coming back with me? I can process your transfer to another school." "So, I should just run away from everything?" Jace asked, sitting up. "No, it's not running. You're just giving yourself time to heal. You could even explore other interests apart from music," Joseph suggested carefully. "Did Aunt not tell you anything?" Jace asked, frowning briefly before his expression softened. "Yeah, she did. She said you had a fight with your band because of the competition," Joseph replied, trying to gauge his son's reaction. "Is that all?" Jace asked, raising an eyebrow, and Joseph nodded. "Is there something else she should have told me?" Joseph asked. "You worry too much, Dad. I'm not quitting this time, nor am I running away. I'm old enough not to act like a coward. Aunt made me realize a lot yesterday. If you had brought up this idea of transferring me yesterday, I would have gladly accepted it because it was so frustrating. But after talking to Aunt, I felt relieved. I need to stop running, it only makes me a coward," Jace said firmly. Joseph nodded approvingly. "If that's your decision, then why didn't you go to school? Why did you skip breakfast?" "I'm trying to figure out how to make it up to my friends," Jace admitted. "That doesn't mean you should skip breakfast," Joseph scolded gently before adding, "How about we go out for some fun?" Later that day, Jace and his father entered the house. He could hear voices in the living room. "Who are the visitors?" Jace thought as they walked further into the house. They met Ronald and Jason chatting happily. "What are you guys doing here?" Jace asked, pausing. "Good afternoon, sir," they greeted Joseph, ignoring Jace's question. "How are you guys? How was school today?" Joseph asked. "Fine, sir," they replied, smiling. Joseph left the living room to give them space. "I asked you guys a question," Jace said, going to stand in front of the television to block their view. "What do you think we're doing here?" Dorah, who was coming out of the kitchen, asked. "That doesn't answer my question," Jace muttered, sitting on the couch and placing his phone on the center table. "Where's Grandma?" "We didn't meet her at home. Now, answer the question. Why didn't you come to school today? Don't tell me you're being a coward," Dorah said. Jace frowned but quickly masked it. "I'm sure you weren't expecting me in school today after all," he said. Jason nodded. Dorah shot him a glare, but he shrugged. "It's the truth. We all knew he wouldn't come today," Jason said. "So, are you quitting now?" Ronald asked, his voice tinged with concern. "What made you say that?" Jace asked. "If not, why does your behavior suggest otherwise? Moreover, you said it the other day too," Ronald explained. "I'm not quitting, okay?" Jace said sternly. His declaration left them wide-eyed. "You're not?" Dorah asked. "You want me to quit? Oh, sorry to disappoint you, I'm going nowhere," Jace said, rolling his eyes at their behavior. "Oh my God!" Dorah exclaimed as she rushed toward him and hugged him tightly. "Ca...n't bre...athe," Jace stuttered, coughing. "Oh, sorry. I was just too excited," Dorah said as she let go. "Why are you so excited? Are you that scared of me quitting? C'mon, I'm not twelve anymore. I'm a grown-up now," Jace said, smiling. "That's the spirit!" Dorah said excitedly. "I need to tell Miranda and the others!" she shouted, running toward the kitchen. "What's wrong with her?" Jace asked, chuckling. "She was so worried about you. She even fought Max after you left yesterday," Jason said. Jace gasped. "And you guys let her fight him?" "What do you think?" Ronald asked, smirking. "She's stubborn. She'll do whatever she wants, even if you try to stop her," Jason muttered, shaking his head. The next day, Friday, Jace got out of the car and bade his dad farewell. He was dressed in his sportswear and sneakers, looking as fit as ever. "I can do this," he muttered to himself as he walked into the school. Max, who had just stepped out of his car, saw Jace and felt a wave of relief wash over him. He was glad to see Jace hale and healthy. "Jace!" Miranda called out as she spotted him entering the classroom. The class went silent at the mere mention of his name. Almost everyone was curious as to why he hadn't shown up to school the previous day. "Mira," Jace greeted as he reached his seat and sat down. As if waiting for him to settle, Marie, the class president, approached him. "Good morning, Jace," she greeted. "What's up, Marie?" Jace asked, smiling. "Nothing much. Everyone's wondering why you didn't come to school yesterday. Hope you're okay?" she asked. Jace nodded. "I'm fine. I was busy, so I couldn't make it," he said, maintaining his smile. Marie walked to the front of the class and called for attention. "Jace said he's fine. He was busy, which is why he couldn't come to school yesterday. So now that it's all clear, I don't want to hear any more talk about it, okay?" The class murmured their agreement. "What's up with everyone?" Jace asked, raising an eyebrow at Miranda. "There's been news around the school that the Young Star band got third place in the competition because of you. Apparently, some students attended the competition and said you didn't appear on stage. The judges deducted marks and gave you third place. Your absence from school yesterday made things worse," Miranda explained. Jace listened carefully before replying, "It's all my fault. They're not lying." Miranda looked at him worriedly. "Don't look at me like that. Their words don't bother me. I know it's my fault, which is why I'm not backing down. From today onward, I'll work hard to overcome my fear," he said with determination. "Just don't push yourself too much," they heard Max's voice. He was standing beside them. "Don't give me that look. I'm sorry for the way I talked to you the other day," Max said. Miranda and Jace stared at him in surprise. "Yeah... yeah, it's fine. We're cool," Jace said, snapping out of his shock. "Friends?" Max asked, extending his hand. Jace took it, standing up, and Max pulled him into a hug. "Friends," Jace affirmed, and Max patted his back softly.