Chapter 240: Leaving Home

"I just don’t trust him," Cross admitted.

Nina scoffed softly. "You don’t trust him... or you don’t trust me?"

Cross froze. "...That’s not fair."

"It is," she replied. "Because you’re making it about jealousy instead of reality. West is my gang leader. That’s it."

Cross laughed bitterly. "Yeah... just your gang leader."

Nina turned back to him fully now. "Say what you really mean."

He hesitated and shook his head. "...Nothing."

"Exactly," she stated. "Because you don’t even have proof of anything. Just insecurity."

Cross swallowed hard. "...I just don’t want to lose you."

Nina’s expression changed slightly but she held her ground.

"You already have," she said quietly.

His eyes reddened instantly as he broke down. "...Please don’t say that..."

"I’m not attracted to you anymore, Cross," she said, forcing herself to be direct. "I can’t fake something that’s not there."

He stepped forward again, grabbing her hands.

"I’ll change. I’ll work hard so you can be attracted to me again," he said desperately. "I won’t complain about West anymore. I swear. I won’t question anything. Just—just don’t leave."

Tears began to form. "I’ll do anything..."

Nina’s resolve wavered once more. She hated this part... the part that involved hurting anyone. How could she really break this off without hurting him?

"...Cross..."

"I’ll never bring him up again," he rushed. "I’ll trust you. I’ll do whatever you want. Just don’t break up with me."

"I have to. Its for your own sake," She stated once more but Cross knelt and the tears started to flow freely.

"I’ll kill myself if I lose you," Cross begged on his knees while holding Nina’s legs.

"Don’t say that... stop it," Nina voiced with a look of concern.

"I’m serious... I can’t lose you. I’m better off dead than being alive and knowing I can’t be with you," Cross continued to tear up while holding her tight.

Nina initially just wanted to end everything and let him off the hook without him knowing it was related to West... she just wanted to let it dissolve without hurting any one and unfortunately, things had spiralled to this point again.

Nina closed her eyes briefly while Cross continued to plead and threaten to unalive himself.

This wasn’t what she wanted but she also wasn’t heartless...

"...Fine," she said eventually.

Cross looked up instantly. "...Really?"

She pulled her hands free gently.

"For now," she added... at least until she knew how to end things without the threat of his life hanging in the balance.

"But this doesn’t fix everything."

"It’s enough," a look of relief appeared on his face as he responded quickly. "It’s enough."

Nina nodded slowly, though something inside her felt... unresolved... as if she had just delayed the inevitable.

•••

•••

Across the city, another conversation was reaching its breaking point.

Jax stood in the middle of his family’s living room as a tensed scenario played out.

"We’re not doing this again, Jax," his father raised his voice.

Jax clenched his fists. "I’ve already made my decision."

His mother stepped in with a softer tone but also on the same side as her husband. "Sweetheart, we’re just trying to protect you."

"Protect me from what?" Jax snapped. "My future?"

"From dying," his father shot back.

"Awakeners die every day," his father continued. "Ruins. Gang fights. Assassinations. You think you’re invincible?"

"I never said that."

"Then act like it!"

Jax shook his head in frustration. "You don’t get it."

"Then explain it to us!" his mother pleaded.

Jax exhaled sharply. "This is bigger than just a job or school," he said. "This is who I am now."

His father scoffed. "You’re 18. You don’t even know who you are yet."

"I know I’m not meant to sit in a lecture hall pretending like this world is normal!" Jax fired back.

His mother’s expression fell. "...University isn’t pretending. It’s building a life."

"I am building a life," Jax insisted. "With the Shadow Reapers."

His father’s face hardened. "A gang is not a life."

"It is in this world!"

A brief silence ensued after Jax fired back before his father finally spoke. "Not under this roof."

"...What?" Jax eyebrows furrowed.

"If you’re going to throw yourself into that life," his father said coldly, "you won’t do it while living here."

His mother gasped softly, trying to appeal to both her husband and son. "Please—"

However, they both seemed to have deep rooted stubbornness.

Jax’s gaze hardened. "...Fine."

He turned without another word, grabbed his bag and walked out.

•••

•••

•••

Jax arrived at West’s apartment about an hour later with a heavy expression.

West opened the door before he could knock.

"...You look like you just fought your entire bloodline."

Jax let out a dry laughter. "Feels like it."

West stepped aside. "Come in."

The apartment was as always spacious, clean and almost luxurious in its setup.

Gor’thala was in the kitchen, Seraphyra lounging lazily across the couch, Aurethia standing near the window like a silent guardian.

Jax dropped his bag near the entrance. "...I need a place to stay."

West didn’t even blink. "Pick a room."

Jax glanced at him. "...That’s it?"

West shrugged. "You’re not a stranger."

Jax nodded slowly with a grateful look as they moved to the living area and sat opposite each other.

Silence lingered for a moment before Jax spoke again.

"They want me to quit."

West raised a brow. "Expected."

"They want me in university."

"Also expected."

Jax folded his arms and leaned back. "They think I’m going to die."

West also leaned back slightly. "They’re not wrong."

Jax frowned. "...You’re supposed to be on my side."

"I am," West replied calmly. "But that doesn’t mean I’ll lie to you."

Jax looked away. "...It just pisses me off."

West nodded. "Because you feel like they don’t understand."

"Exactly," Jax spread his arms animatedly while West continued.

"But their fear is real."

Jax didn’t respond.

"Awakeners are the strongest people on the planet," West said. "But we’re also the ones closest to death at all times."