IT'S FRIDAY!!!

THAT MEANS I'M UPDATING THIS!!!

YAY!!!

I'm thinking of making this my main priority right now in writing terms because I got everything figured out.

With that being said...

Everything is on a hiatus until further notice.

I'm sorry.

Amyway...

This chapter is for hxley_ann!!!

I love you, babe.<3

ON WITH THE STORY

P.S: Because of the content of this chapter, it will only have one big part besides three sections. Love ya.

P.P.S: Remember when Mitch sang Chandelier in Bones? That song works perfectly for him in the flashback chapters even though he didn't drink.

Today is the day that is definitely the hardest one for the Olusolas.

Mitch is going to rehab...

In Texas for eleven months.

While Kevin and Avi stay in California.

It was hard for all of them, but Mitch's doctor suggested it. He felt like it was good for the teenager so he could focus on his studies while striving to get better. Mitch felt like he had no choice but to go. He wants to get better.

Even if that meant leaving everything behind.

As the Olusolas walked up to the entrance, Mitch held onto a picture that was taken twelve years ago. It was of him and his dad's in front of his kindergarten class. He was smiling wide, both of his dads squatting new to him. He was such a tiny thing that it surprised Kevin and Avi when he hit a growth spurt in middle school. Anyway, the three of them looked so happy yet so somber that a new chapter in Mitch's life was beginning.

Mitch can't tell if going to rehab will be a new chapter or the end of his story.

"Oh, you must be the newest patient," a young and perky female spoke, smiling widely. Mitch waved shyly, wanting to run back to California. "Mitchell Olusola, correct?"

"Yes," Avi chocked out, making sure he didn't suddenly drop one of Mitch's bags and cry hysterically. "That's him."

"Okay," the nurse replied, looking around in a drawer. She took out a purple bracelet and wrote a number on it, smiling sadly at the family. "Purple is usually for the patients that heal the longest. They could live here for more than a year, maybe even a decade."

Mitch whimpered silently, hugging the picture closer to him as Kevin wrapped a careful arm around his son. The nurse walked around the desk with the bracelet in her hand that said Eleven on it when Avi stopped her. He had tears in his eyes and looked like he was begging her for something.

"Please...let me put the bracelet on my son. This is the last time I'll see him for eleven months. Please."

The nurse nodded, having Avi the bracelet and returend.to her desk,.working silently. Avi smiled at Mitch sadly, holding the bracelet out. Mitch sniffed, shaking his head as he sobbed.

"I can't do. I can't. I'm scared."

Mitch sobbed loudly this time, practically dissolving into tears. He gripped onto the picture tighter, feeling like everyone was watching him even though he felt like he was so alone. Avi shared a look with Kevin before looking at the picture, his mind slowly going back to that precious moment.

A moment between fathers and son.

"There's my boy," Avi exclaimed, smiling when five year old Mitch exited the car. Kevin was videotaping, his smile wide as Mitch waved to him. "Are you ready to be smart?"

"Yeah," Mitch responded, his quiet yet squeaky voice melting his parents' hearts. He was giggling, his eyes full of excitement as he looked around the school. "Am I going to make friends? I prayed last night that God will give me real friends instead of stuffed animals. They're fun, but they give me such weird looks."

Kevin and Avi both laughed, knowing that Mitch didn't have a lot of friends and by a lot, they mean none. The little boy was so shy and timid that he didn't talk to people unless it was his parents. Hopefully this year will change.

"Let's take a picture," Kevin suggested, turning off the video camera. He out the video camera away and replaced it with the camera around his neck, smiling when a mom came boy with her son that has a beautiful skin color. "Miss, do you mind taking a picture of  us?"

"Not at all! Mario, stay close baby," the mom spoke uo, taking the camera from Kevin as her Mario stood behind her with a big smile. "Your son is cute!"

"Thank you!"

After taking the photo, the bell rang, signaling that the parents had to go. Mario's mother gave back the camera before looking at Kevin and Avi sadly.

"It's time to go."

Avi sighed and was about to leave when he felt a slight tightly at his pant leg, looking down to see Mitch with tears in his eyes. Kevin frowned as Avi knelt down, looking at his son sadly when he heard a tiny sob. Mitch felt his eyes water, his lip quivering as he shook his head.

"I can't do it. I can't. I'm scared."

Avi looked at Kevin, nodding his head before looking at his son. He took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully.

"Mitch, there comes a time in our lives when change needs to happen. It could be bad or good. This is good. You are growing into a big boy and staring this beautiful chapter in this life. You are going to go in there and shine like the star you are. You want to know why?"

"Why, Poppy?"

"Because you are the brightest star in the sky and you deserve to shine. Shine on, my beautiful boy."

Mitch nodded, smiling brightly before hugging Avi one last time. He ran over to Kevin and hugged his knees before running over to Mario, introducing himself immediately. The boys began to giggle, holding hands like it was nothing. Kevin and Avi looked at each other before smiling, knowing one thing.

Even if Mitch lost his light, he will still be the brightest star in the room.

Avi sighed before looking back at mktch, forgetting about the bracelet for the time being. He held Mitch's hands before looking at him seriously, sighing then talking.

"Do you remember when you were in kindergarten and I told you were the brightest star ever?"

Mitch nodded, his face crumbling as he nodded once more. A nurse stood impatiently by the door, obviously waiting for the broken boy that wasn't ready to start here. Avi bruised back his hair befire.looikg speaking once more.

"You are my star. You always have been and will be. You always shined so brightly. Right now, however, you lost that brightness. You aren't as bright as you used to be. Guess what though, Mitch?"

"Yes, Pops?"

"You are still the brightest star in the room. You just need to be bright again and by being here...you will get back that brightness."

Mitch nodded, crying as he extended his arm. Avi put the bracelet around his arm as people came over and took stuff away from Kevin and Avi. Mitch hugged Avi one last time, breathing heavily before walking over to Kevin. Mktch hugged Kevin as tightly as his arms would let him, crying at words Kevin whispered.

"You are so strong, Mitch. So, so strong. Don't loose that brightness."

Mitch nodded before slipping out of Kevin's grasp, walking over to the nurse that was waiting for him. He turned around once more and waved to his parents before walking around the corner.

Making that the last time he will ever see his parents for elevem months.

"I miss him so much."

"I miss him too."

As Mitch walked into his room to see it piled up high with boxes of his personal items, he sniffed once more and set his picture down. He looked at he picture before giving it a tender kiss, sighing sadly before laying down in bed.

His bed for eleven months.

He closed his eyes and mumbled one last thing before slumber consumed him.

"I miss them."

The Olusola family might now be together right now and for a long time, but they do know one thing.

Mitch's brightness will come back in no time.

A/N: Well...this is sad. I apologize a million of times.

If you think of one song, what song would you choose that best goes along with Mitch's situation?

For example, Mitch struggling with drugs = Chandelier.

Mitch fighting to be better after being stabbed = Skyscraper.

Comment here for the songs!!!

Anyways, I hope you that you all enjoyed this chapter and remember that I love you all.:)

-Maddie🐶💕🎤