"I'm glad you're here," Nathaniel greeted, wiping down the counter as Mason arrived to relieve him from his duty. "I didn't realise how much help Louise gave, but this is crazy; it's only 18:00.''

"I've not seen it like this for a while," Mason nodded in agreement, "Vanessa said you can go back to the kitchen,"

"Oh really? That's great; Spencer said I could learn his recipe for his fish and chips,"

"You're interested in cooking?" Mason asked, his eyebrows rising in surprise as the junior nodded, placing the last of the glasses on its shelf.

"Yeah, it's why I took the job; I'm going to a culinary school over the summer,"

"That's erm, that's great, Nathaniel!" For some reason, Mason found it hard to muster genuine enthusiasm, but it seemed his co-worker was grateful without identifying his tone, and he smiled, making his way to the kitchen with a small wave.

The chilly breeze that rushed into the restaurant introduced the next set of customers, and within seconds, Mason started his shift.

The hour went by quickly. Most of the parties were second-year students, Mason schooled with, launching their weekend early. A few of his classmates were going to a party in Hastings and extended the invite, while others enjoyed meals with their parents, catching up after a long week of school and work.

It was also during these snippets of conversations did Mason realise that, like his friends and Nathaniel, each of his peers had a goal. They were either travelling or going to university or even moving away from Rye to gain a fresh start. Though they still had five months until their examinations, it seemed most knew precisely where they were heading.

It was this acknowledgment that forced Mason to recall the man that had offered him his card that night at the races. He hadn't contacted George Baggedly, but the name was a permanent fixture in his mind. The business card still stared at him from where he had left it on his desk, and Mason couldn't deny that he had even considered searching his name on the internet.

Racing was what his parents had dreamed for him, and singing was what he had considered for himself. Mr. Baggedly offered a new perspective- to enter the field of mechanics...and his father supposedly knew him. Though Mason hadn't brought up his options to his father, ever since he'd sold half of his business, perhaps it was another choice to consider.

Once more, Mason found himself at the crossroads, his choices tugging him in all directions, frustrating him to no end. The longer he thought about it, the more compelled he felt to give up altogether. It seemed like the topic just refused to leave his mind, and his sigh was of relief when the bell twinkled, offering the distraction he truly needed.

And to his surprise, the new customer was his best friend, his grin broad as he waved.
"Hey," Mason greeted, pulling the menus out of the drawer. "What brings you guys here?"

"Laura wanted to celebrate my offer," Lucas explained as the familiar blonde who resembled her brother entered through the glass door. Before Mason could drive, Laura had always chauffeured the pair to the beach. She was kind and had been the perfect candidate for the boys to play pranks on, and Haneul had always gotten a kick out of it too.

"Hi, Mason," she beamed as he returned her embrace. "Gosh, it's been a while,"

"It has; I don't think I've seen you since the pandemic started," Mason nodded in agreement, "Come on, let me show you to a table," He led the pair to a booth towards the back that was centrally located before taking orders for drinks, and excusing himself.

Mason didn't have much chance to return to his best friend, outside of providing their food and ensuring he had met their needs. Still, Lucas came to find him just before they left, Vanessa having collected their bill at the bar.
"So, any plans this weekend?" He asked as Mason refilled the serviettes into their metal container.

"Erm, I'm not sure, nothing outside of the usual; tomorrow is practise and working the night shift,"

"Ah," Lucas nodded as Mason pried further as to why he had asked, "erm no reason, I just thought we could hang out, maybe spend the day at the beach before the weather turns too wretched even to bother,"

"Sure," Mason nodded in agreement, "Sunday afternoon should be good; I think Anya will be working,"

"That's okay; it hasn't been just the two of us for a while," It only then did Mason realise exactly what his friend was asking- he wanted some time just for them. Before Anya, it had only been the pair for so long. Even Mason could admit he had missed the one-on-one time.

"I'll see you on Sunday then," Mason promised with a grin, receiving a hug from Laura just as she approached before they left. As a routine, since Mason had started to perform, he took the spot prepared for him and retrieved his guitar, choosing to strum the chords of 'East Side' by Benny Blanco. The lyrics fit how Mason felt as he feared his future, and just as he began the second verse, to his astonishment, the door opened, and a familiar face strolled in.

It was quarter past eight and not much later than when his father typically arrived for their dinner, and for a moment, Mason hoped it was him until he saw that it was Leo instead. His arrival was surprising, but Mason continued to sing, strumming harder to avoid the distraction. Still, when his father's colleague entered the light, his grim expression clouded the joy Mason had sourced from singing, almost entirely. Something was wrong, and he could feel his stomach clench with despair.

He ended the song early with a final bout of the chorus before moving away from the microphone and removing his guitar from his shoulder. Leo appeared to have aged almost a decade since their last interaction, and when his words failed to form, Mason's sensed emotions were confirmed.

"L-Leo, what is it?"

"I erm...it's your mum," He gulped, as Mason felt the burn of the audience's eyes upon him as he guided Leo towards the booths, where they were out of view. "She's erm,"

"She's what!" He demanded.

"She's hurt, she's hurt real bad, Mase-"

"What do you mean she's hurt? Where is she?"

"The hospital," The horror that washed over his Leo's expression as he relived what he knew invigorated the terror Mason now felt, and he was quickly on his feet, ushering the man not much older than his father, to follow so that they could leave.
A quick whisper to Vanessa, who was holding a sleeping Mia, permitted his leave, and Mason couldn't recall how they had moved from the restaurant to the car to the moment they paid the parking bill at the local hospital. Leo had already returned to the garage, explaining that he needed to lock up, but Mason hadn't paid much attention to what had been saying before he left the diner.

The reminder of his brother and those horrid six months loomed over him as he strolled into the grey building, the hustle and bustle of the A&E area failing to draw him out of his thoughts. Mason couldn't lose his mother as he had lost Haneul; he just couldn't live through that pain again.

"Iseul Park," Mason pleaded for the information as he approached the counter, and the nurse looked at him as her face paled.

"She's erm, they've taken her to the OR, you're more than welcome to sit in the waiting room,"
He had no choice but to nod, and Mason hurried through the white corridor to a small room, already occupied by a man staring out of the window, his own tears trailing down his cheeks. At the same time, another family seemed to be waiting in excited anticipation.
This was the nature of hospitals; the receiving news could be just as damning as it could give be joyous; it was the place of life and death and centered in this tiny box room; Mason had no idea what he was about to hear.

And for the man who was perched on the sponge seat, his fist clenched and resting on his mouth, Mason took a seat beside him, knowing that his father was just as anxious about the unknown as he was.
"What happened?" He asked stiffly as his father refused to meet his gaze, his concentration placed on the cracked linoleum below their feet.

"I brought her to work...." He explained, clearing his throat as his eyes glazed over. "She, your mum, has been doing so well- ever since she found out you wanted to race, it was like I was seeing my wife again...and so I brought her to work."

Mason couldn't deny he hadn't witnessed the same. His mother still drank, but she was improving, and they'd even shared dinners while his father worked overtime at the garage.
"Was she drunk?" It was the only question that mattered, and his father shook his head with a weathered sigh.

"Not when we left, but an hour in, she found her soju stash...."

"How...how did she get hurt?"

"She was just by the mount; I was working on the car and her hand...it just got crushed," he cried, "I managed to free her, but there was so much blood and then she laughed and blacked out, Leo called the ambulance straight away, before going to fetch you."

Mason could only nod as he released the breath he was holding. "So she's alive?"

"Yes," His father nodded, "but they said they were concerned with how much alcohol she had in her bloodstream. She, she might not wake up from the anaesthetic,"

"Let's just face one battle at a time, okay," Mason decided, patting his father's knee. They should think about the surgery before the aftermath. His mother was strong; she could come back from this.

Though he had shed his tears, the hardened jaw warned Mason of what was currently occurring in his father's mind. He was blocking out the pain. He was constructing new walls, and when he failed to gain eye contact, Mason realised that whatever the outcome of his mother's condition, his father had once more successfully turned his heart into stone. The surge of realisation moulded into a new emotion, and this time, Mason felt an anger bubble as he turned to meet his father once more.

"How could you be so irresponsible?" He spat, knowing that the attention of the other families in the silent room was now thrust upon them. "I just, I don't understand you, dad," His laugh was bitter and for once, he permitted his anger to rage. "You have done everything possible to ensure this family is worse off...you sold half of the business, you refused to acknowledge mum needed help, and God forbid we talk about Haneul, who you know, was still was my brother for sixteen years. Those memories don't just disappear okay, and I know you were the one to take down his photos,"

"I did it for your mother,"

"You did it for yourself," Mason retorted, moving to his feet, "I need some air." The Accident and Emergency centre was busy with noise, but when he felt the cold air infiltrate the thin clothes he had donned, and the chill froze his trachea each time he breathed, Mason finally found perspective.

He was going to quit.

It would destroy what remained of his family, but his decision was final. After years of confusion and what could only be considered emotional abuse- because his family circumstance had been taken advantage of, out of the mess; there was clarity. His crossroads no longer existed-Mason was going to sing.

A.N.

...
I'm sorry! Don't hate me, but I love this chapter haha.
But first things first, Happy Boxing Day! I hope you've all had a lovely holiday and enjoyed the festivities!
Now back to the chapter, there is a heck of a lot going on, and I'm sure you're wondering how could I be so cruel to leave it at this point but I couldn't help it, plus being Christmas, I wanted a double update, so it just happened to fall like this.
As I said, I love this chapter, a lot, but the themes are hard hitting and what Mason is going through is not easy at all. I know some of you have been able to relate and I genuinely encourage you to speak out and seek advice, I try my best to respond to comments and my message board is also open too.
Have the most amazing rest of the holidays and see you all in the next chapter!
Aamenah x
Song- EastSide- Benny Blanco ft Khalid and Ann Marie