443: [Bonus chapter]Parent's strength

[Bonus chapter]Parent's strength

[Bright Mind Academy]0

Sebastian and Riley (his classmate) were sitting on the bench in the school garden, as it was their snack time. Riley turned his head to Sebastian, tilting his head to the side.

"Basti, are you okay?" Riley perked up, noticing that his only friend had been quiet recently. "Did your mommy scold you?"

"My mommy is having another kid."

"Hah?!" The chubby boy with glasses gasped, wide-eyed. "You're going to become a big brother?!"

"Mhm." Sebastian sighed. 

"Huh? Why are you sighing? Aren't you happy that you will have siblings?"

"I am. I didn't like the idea at first, but eventually, I've grown fond of it."

"Eh?" Riley blinked, confused. "Then why do you look troubled?"

Sebastian sighed for the second time, casting his only friend a look. "Because I feel like my mommy isn't taking stress well."

"What does that mean?"

"She's always worried and anxious," he confessed, gazing down at the grass as his feet swung back and forth. "I don't know why she thinks she might not deliver the baby. She might not say it, but she's been zoning out a lot."

Riley blinked, getting lost in where this conversation was going. "I don't understand."

"Don't try to." Sebastian sighed for the umpteenth time. "I'm just worried, that's all."

"Oh..." Riley rocked his head and bit his cracker, making Sebastian arch a brow.

"Are those your only snacks?"

"Mhm." Riley nodded. "We don't have too much food at home. Our family is in crisis."

"Is that so?" Sebastian turned and picked up his snack bag on his side. He opened it and handed Riley a piece of bread his mother prepared for him. 

"Here, take it," he said, shaking the piece of bread. "My mom always packs me so many snacks. I'm still full from this morning's breakfast, so take it."

"Really? But didn't you say your snacks are only for you?" Riley mumbled in confusion but still accepted the bread. His chubby cheeks blushed, gulping. "Thank you, Basti! You've been really kind and generous recently!"

Sebastian watched his friend happily open the bread to eat it. "I'm not kind," he muttered to himself, looking away from his friend. 

For Sebastian, having one friend like Riley was useful. After all, the reason Sebastian accepted the baby in his mother's womb so easily was because he had been practicing sharing his stuff. Or rather, that was what he believed. 

After all, Riley's family was still struggling. So, Riley lacked many things. For instance, his snacks and lunch were too simple. Although Riley never complained, Sebastian felt a bit of sympathy for him. Therefore, Sebastian had been sharing his food and even asked Heaven to add more snacks for him so he could share it with his friend. 

"Riley, should I tell my dad to help your dad?" Sebastian thought, turning his head to Riley. "If my dad helps you, you don't have to bring crackers as snacks anymore."

Riley grinned. "It's okay. My parents told me that once we recover, everything will go back to normal. Also, crackers aren't that bad. I like them!"

"But you're losing weight."

"I always get teased by my weight, so it's alright." Riley laughed happily. "My daddy and mommy told me not to worry about adult problems. So, I don't think they will like it if I tell them your dad wants to help."

"..." Sebastian stared at Riley, rendered speechless. 'I think you misunderstood them, but never mind. I also don't want others to think that they can take advantage of my dad through me.' 

Sebastian mentally shook his head, watching Riley enjoy his snack until he felt like eating his snacks as well. Sebastian took out another piece of bread, munching it slowly. 

'Adult problems, huh?' Sebastian repeated Riley's remarks, swaying his feet to and fro. 

"Don't worry, Basti. I'm sure your mommy will be alright." Riley offered Sebastian a reassuring smile. "Our parents are doing their best, so we should cheer them on! My parents always tell me I'm their source of strength, so I always try to be good and happy. In that case, they won't feel weak at times of crisis!"

Sebastian could only stare at his friend and smiled subtly. "Sometimes, I think you're quite smart."

"That feels like an insult more than a compliment," Riley mumbled while chewing the bread, but Sebastian simply laughed.

The two children continued their chat while enjoying their snacks. Sebastian offered his friend some juice as Heaven prepared him snacks that were good for two. 

*

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*

Sebastian went by his day like usual until it was time to go home. Like usual, he sat in the waiting area in the open hallway as he waited for his grandparents to pick him up. Beside him was Riley.

"Will your parents pick you up today?" asked Riley out of pure curiosity. "Or your grandfather will pick you up again?"

"My mommy is pregnant, so she can't pick me up. My daddy is busy." Sebastian shrugged. "It's not that it's a big deal. How about you?"

"Hmm…" Riley stretched his neck to see the gates, shrugging. "I don't know. My nanny usually picks me up."

Sebastian kept his eyes on his classmate. Riley would always stay late in school because his nanny was always late. Sebastian had no idea how long Riley would wait, but for sure, he would always go home first. 

"Is commuting fun?" Sebastian asked out of plain curiosity. 

"Hmm. I think?" Riley shrugged. "It gets hard sometimes because sometimes, busses are crowded."

'That… sucks.'As someone who disliked the crowd, Sebastian already disliked this means of transport. However, the curiosity in his heart remained. 'I should ask Dad to commute sometimes.'

A frown immediately took over Sebastian's face, thinking of riding a bus with his father. For sure, it'll also be crowded with bodyguards. Sebastian glanced at the gates, catching Princess standing outside. Since Lionel always picked him up, Princess was also waiting for Lionel to arrive.

"Riley, do you want to ride with us?" Sebastian had an idea. 

"Huh?"

"So you don't have to wait for long," he explained. "Since the school already knows we're friends, I'm certain they'll let you come with us."

Riley stared at Sebastian, blinking. "Won't your grandfather get angry?"

"Why will he?" Sebastian smiled. "My grandparents like children so much. Besides, I haven't introduced my friend to them."

"Well…" Riley scratched the back of his head before he grinned. "Okay! I'll call my parents first, so my nanny won't come here!"

"Great!"

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