There's Always a Choice

Quest sighed. This wasn't the first time this had happened, and it was unlikely that it was the last. Hauling himself from his chair, he followed his father from the room. 

Dragging his feet against the lush carpet, he trailed after his father. He kept his head down, letting the tips of strawberry blond hair fall into his eyes.

 The carpet turned into a velvet rug that descended the stairs. Quest traced the gold embroidery on the edge with his eyes, watching his father's feet. He glanced up when his father stopped. They were in the sitting room, but Mr. Laurent kept his back to his son. He folded his hands careful behind his back.

"Sit down, Quest." His voice was sharp, and betrayed no emotion. Quest obeyed, shuffling over to one of the chairs. He perched on the edge, keeping his back straight and placing his hands on his knees. 

His father sat opposite him, and his mother came in not much later. Quest tilted his head to be able to see the stairs but still appear looking at his father, only to see his sister literally jumping down the stairs. She cleared the last three, throwing a smirk at Quest as their father's mouth twitched. She settled herself behind Quest, resting her elbows on the back of the chair. 

"Don't you want to sit, Scout?" Mr. Laurent's voice was tight. 

"I'm good." 

Quest fought his smile. Their father sighed, rubbing his thumbs against his temples. 

"So... what's this about?" Scout prompted. 

"It's about Quest," Mrs. Laurent replied, staring at her husband. Her mouth twisted into a frown, and her normally warm eyes were hard. 

"We've-" Summer cleared her throat, interrupting him. "I've," Mr. Laurent restarted. "decided that it would be best if Quest continued to go to school, somewhere private. This way, he could better learn to master his talents, without the... distraction that you others provide. He'd be in better control, would learn more, and hence, be better off for life." 

There was a beat of silence. Mrs. Laurent stared at her hands, Quest just stared at his dad, and Scout... yelled. 

"What? You can't do that! You can just send him off and-" 

"Scout," Quest interrupted. 

"But..." 

Quest turned around, finally meeting her eyes. 

You're not seriously considering this, are you? 

Quest faced his father again. Do I really have a choice?

YES! Quest winced as her voice shot through his mind. There's always a choice. You don't have to do this, your- our- father doesn't have any right to tell you where you get to go school. He dictates so much of your life already! I mean, if you want to, I guess I won't try and stop you. 

No, I don't want to go. 

Then don't! Make your own choice. 

Quest smiled. 

"Are you two done having your secret telepathic conversation?" Mr. Laurent asked. Once they nodded, he continued. "Quest, you leave tomorrow, so you should probably start packing your bags." 

Quest didn't move. 

Mr. Laurent stood, then glanced back. "Quest?" 

“Okay.” His voice was small as he stood and hurried towards the stairs.

He kept his head town, though he could still feel his twin’s gaze. Thankfully, she didn’t go after him. 

Quest hurried up the stairs, closing the door to his room behind him. 

He collapsed into his chair, burying his head in his hands. What was he doing? Scout was right, he didn't have to go. He didn't have to do everything his father told him to. Quest didn't want to go. He had friends here, his family was here. But how could he go against his father?

There was a knock at his door. Quest sighed, but called them to enter anyway. Scout came in, stepping to the side so someone behind her could come in as well. Quest glanced up, and couldn't stop the small smile that formed when he was greeted with a familiar lopsided grin. 

"Hey." Was all Keane said, yet it managed to make him feel better. Scout had the ability as well, but right now he was afraid of upsetting her. 

"First things first," Scout said, stepping closer. "No matter what you choose, I'm not going to be disappointed. I promise. If you really want to go, I'll miss you, obviously, but you're not going to disappoint me."

It still amazed him how she was able to read him so well. Y'know, without actually reading his mind. 'Cause she could do that, too. 

Keane sauntered behind Scout, wrapping his arms around her as he rested his chin on her head. She crossed her arms with a scowl, but that only made him chuckle. Quest smiled at his best friends' antics. 

"So. What's going on in that big brain of yours?" Keane asked. 

"I don't know. I don't want to go, but can I really say no to my dad?" Quest asked.

"I'm probably not gonna say anything that Scout didn't already say-" 

"Sometimes it still helps to get a second opinion," Scout cut in.

Quest nodded, and so did Keane, which only messed up Scout's hair. She sighed, throwing her hands up. Both boys started laughing. 

“Anyway.” Keane’s smile dropped. “So, you don’t want to go, but you don’t know how to tell your dad no. I’d say... who really cares what he says? He’s dictated so much of your life already. Are you really gonna let him send you away?” 

“Do I really have a choice?” 

“There’s always a choice.” 

Quest met Scout’s eyes, a smile creeping up his face. He got up from the chair, making his way to the door. Keane let go of Scout, moving to stand beside her. 

“Thanks you guys.”

“Anytime,” they both said. 

Half way out the door, Quest paused. “You two sound so much alike it’s almost scary.” 

“We both know I’m smarter,” Scout said as she followed him down the stairs.

“Hey!” Keane protested as he hurried after them. Quest laughed, jumping the last stair. 

Scout raised her eyebrows at him before he a smile settled on her lips. 

“Quest?” Mr. Laurent appeared behind them. 

"Father." 

"What are you doing down here? Mr. Alaric, I don't remember giving you permission to be here."

"That's alright Sir," Keane said. "Scout did." 

Mr. Laurent sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "How far along on your packing are you, Quest?" 

"I haven't packed at all." 

"What?" Mr. Laurent asked sharply. "Quest, you leave early in the morning, you need to get packed. Scout, can you and Mr. Alaric leave him alone so he can get what he needs to get done? Some people actually expect to get things done in life." 

Keane growled as he took a step forward, his teeth sharpening as he glared at Quest's dad. Scout grabbed his arm, holding him back before she was able to wrap her arms around her shoulders. But she made no effort to hide the distaste in her eyes. 

"Our job is just as high on the scale as yours," he said. 

"Yes, but does it deserve-" 

"Dad! Enough!" Quest yelled. 

Everyone froze. Scout stared wide eyed, before a smile curled the corner of her lips. Keane's teeth returned to normal as he watched Quest from the corner of his eyes. Mr. Laurent was flat out staring at him.  

"It doesn't matter how high on the scale it is, it doesn't even matter what you think. It's what they love, and it's what they choose to do. You don't get to ruin that."

"Quest-" 

Quest glared, talking over his father. "And as for the school, I'm not going. You've made almost every decision for me, and I'm tired of it. I want to do what I want to do for a change. So, no, I'm not going to let you send me off to some random private whatever. I'm staying here." 

"Quest, I'm afraid you don't have a choice," His father said, his voice hard. 

Quest glanced over, smiling as he saw Scout and Keane grinning at him. He took a breath, turning back to his father. 

"There's always a choice."