Jesse watched Lizzie and Everett swing back and forth on the hammock in the backyard, the two of them using it as more of a chair than anything. Lizzie had a book in her hands, Everett had a strand of her hair in his, and they looked perfectly content to read a book together.

A smile on his face, Jesse let out a content sigh before letting the curtain fall back into place in his room and walked to his bed. Collapsing on the soft mattress, he pressed the palms of his hands into his eyes for a moment. Peeking out of one eye, Jesse examined the envelopes that sat on his desk.

He still hadn't opened any of them. The colleges he applied for replied. Most of them at least, but it wasn't as though it mattered anyways. Jesse still had no idea what to do.

He didn't know his major. He had absolutely no idea where to go with his life. He just wanted to . . . exist for a while.

But that would go against everything Jesse's parents set him up for. They set him up to accomplish things in this world. He had gifts, talents. Jesse felt as though he would be letting them down if he decided to throw all of that away; the support, the summer camps for various things, the car in his driveway he slaved away on.

Someway, somehow, all those things went straight into the back of his mind, not meaning a single thing to him. Growing up, he imagined all the colleges he would apply for and what his life would be like once he hit that point of his life.

Before Jesse hit the age of sixteen, the life of a college student was the only one he could imagine. But now, it seemed pretty empty.

I've gotta tell mom and dad, he thought, sprawling out on his bed. But it worried him. Would his parents even be supportive of such a decision? They were rooting for college; of course they were. College would ensure that Jesse had some sort of a future. Maybe.

Jesse knew plenty of people with college degrees still working somewhere they never imagined one would work with a bachelors.

College didn't ensure Jesse would have a great life. It just meant he would spend more of it wondering what to do with himself.

Tonight, he decided. Tonight, I'm going to tell them. He sighed, shaking his head as he stood and stretched his arms above his head. "I'm so dead."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The dinner table was awfully quiet that night. Jesse felt like his parents already knew his decision, just by looking at him. He knew the notion was ridiculous, but still. The idea stuck in his head and his stomach flopped with nerves.

This would be a big announcement for the family; Everett already had an idea of how Jesse felt, so maybe the news of Jesse's deviation wouldn't come as much of surprise to him.

But to their parents . . .

Oh, to their parents, it would be shocking.

"So, guys - you seem quiet," Denise observed from her end of the table. Cole sat happily with his food in front of him, eyes wide and shining. Denise looked from her youngest to the other two boys curiously.

Jesse nodded in response. "I just . . .I got a lot on my mind," he told her, meaning every word of it. He didn't want to tell her nothing. This would just be a good . . . beginning for the subject to be approached with.

Denise raised an eyebrow. "Oh, yeah? What's bothering you? Anything I can help with?"

Clearing his throat, Jesse pushed his empty plate forward a touch, signalling his finish. "Honestly, I'm not sure it's dinner table talk."

With a smile, his mother shook her head. "I don't know. Food makes everything better, so maybe this is the perfect time?"

Jesse looked from Denise to Peter and back again. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Everett give him an encouraging nod. He knew exactly what Jesse wanted to talk about, it seemed.

"Well, okay, I guess," Jesse stuttered out. He twiddled his thumbs for a few minutes, trying to get his thoughts in order. How would he shatter their dreams for him? Should he just go with it? Maybe doing his own thing for a while made no sense and he should just . . .

"Jesse?" Everett poked him in the side gently, enough to prod him out of the spin cycle he set himself on.

"Right," he muttered, steeling himself. "Right." Taking a deep breath, he announced, "I'm not going to college."

The room went completely still. Jesse dared a peek at him parents, making eye contact with each of them. They stared at him blankly, their eyes wide and confused and most of all . . . disappointed.

"I'm sorry, you what?" Peter exploded, setting down his silverware and staring at Jesse. He shrunk down in his chair, looking down and biting his lip. He knew this sort of reaction would happen. He just knew it.

"Jesse, sweetie, you can't believe serious?" Denise tried really hard to keep it together, but anyone could see she was so so close to losing it. Her hand gripped the fork in her hand tightly, her knuckles white.

"I don't want to go to college," Jesse repeated softly, shaking his head. "I don't want that life. I just want to be free for a while. I want to see the world."

"Unacceptable!" Peter nearly shouted. At the other end of the table, Denise was silent and Cole looked as concerned as a toddler could get in the current situation.

"I just don't understand why you would want to do this," Denise finally spoke, not looking at Jesse.

It made him feel even worse; the small spark of confidence he felt beginning to burn within him died out in seconds.

"How can you be so -"

"I applied to go to Curtis Institute of Music and I got accepted. I'm going to college in Philadelphia."

Everett's voice cut through the lecture and within seconds, the entire table erupted into absolute chaos.

"Philadelphia?! Everett, you can't move to Philadelphia! What on Earth are you thinking?"

"We barely let you go on a field trip with Lizzie, what makes you think you are leaving for several years?"

On and on they went. Jesse drooped lower and lower in his seat, his frustration building. Why did it matter so much who did what? So what if he wanted to take time off? So what if Everett wanted to go to college?

He just didn't get it.

"Who cares?!" he finally shouted, jumping to his feet. "I'm so sorry for being a huge disappointment, but if I go to college, I'll be miserable. I can't do it."

Silence encompassed the table and Denise shook her head. "I just can't even deal with this right now." With that, she stood quickly and left the room, anger and frustration lacing every movement.

Peter looked at his two boys, glaring. "Are you happy now? You've completely upset your mother!"

"This isn't about mom! Or you or Cole or Everett or my fifth grade English teacher!" Jesse retorted strongly. "This is my decision. I'm an adult and I'm sorry you hate it. I am. But in the end I've gotta do what's right for me. I've gotta do what makes me happy."

And with those words, Jesse left the room as well, his footsteps sounding throughout the home as he went to his room.

The door upstairs slammed, leaving Everett, Peter and Cole alone together in the kitchen. Soundlessly, Everett scooted back in his chair and collected the dishes.Slowly but steadily, he moved around the table and stacked the dishes in the sink. The tension in the room was high and he did his best to ignore it, going back to his seat. Peter still sat in his spot, Cole made little noises in his seat.

Finally, Everett broke the glass like silence. "Dad. He needs this," he said quietly, leaning forward and bracing his arms on his knees.

"I'll get to you in a minute, right after I've processed your brothers little announcement," Peter replied sternly. "If you think for one second that you're going all the way to Philadelphia, you have another thing coming."

Locking his jaw into place, Everett stood once more, this time with determination. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to calm down and focus. Getting angry wouldn't do anything for the situation. Everyone was stressed at the moment and blowing a fuse wouldn't ease the situation in anyway whatsoever. "Dad, I'm not saying that the path Jesse wants to take is the one you believe in.But it's what he believes in. Shouldn't that count for something?"

"Jesse wants to throw his life away!"

"No, he wants to figure his life out!" Everett didn't realize how loud his voice was until the rest of the home became quiet. Huffing out air, he continued, "People don't figure things out in the same way. Jesse can't be in a college auditorium; it'll kill him. He can't do it your way."

And with that, Everett left the kitchen, slowly making his way upstairs to the where his younger brother hid.

One hand on the wall, Everett followed the wall down to the end, where he lightly knocked on the door.

"Not interested," came the testy reply.

Everett raised his eyebrows, knocking one more time. "I come in peace."

In seconds, the door opened and Everett was yanked inside.

"I'm so done."

Sighing, Everett followed his younger brother across the room; Jesse dropped down to his bed and sat up against the wall, Everett following suit. Crinkling noises came from Jesse and several pieces of licorice were thrust into his hand.

Mumbling his thanks, Everett gnawed off a pieces of the candy in his hand, leaning his head back on the wall.

"What's happening to our family?" Jesse mumbled, heaving out a sigh.

"Jesse, it's not like the family is falling apart." Everett told him firmly. "It's just . . . changing. I don't think any of us are really equipped to handle this. They're just surprised. I think . . . I think it's difficult for them. The only one left, really, is Cole. " When Jesse didn't reply, he continued, "We're growing up. You're forging your path, I'm forging mine. I think it's hard on them knowing that two of their kids are leaving the nest."

"I don't want to go to college, I meant that," Jesse reaffirmed. Everett could feel the shaking of his head from where their shoulders met and frowned. "I can't do it. I just want to be free for a while. I get that it's hard on them, but that shouldn't mean I have to suffocate myself, you know?"

Everett nodded in understanding. "I know. And I want you to know that I'm behind you on this. Out of the two of us, you always played the role of big brother. It's my turn. I want you to be happy, Jesse, and I will support you. Even if it means you living in the woods like a hobo, if that's what makes you happy . . ." Everett paused to grin. "Then I got your back."

He then held up his fist with raised eyebrows.

"Really," Jesse deadpanned. "You want me to fist bump you?"

"We're bros, Jesse. Bros fist bump."

Rolling his eyes. Jesse raised his fist and lightly tapped it against Everett's. Despite the tense conversation downstairs, Everett was pleased to hear a small chuckle leave Jesse. He clapped Jesse on his shoulder.

"We'll get through it, Jesse. I promise."

* * * * * * * * * * *

"Are you guys going to be okay?"

He shrugged in response to Lizzie's question as she sat tucked under his arm, unsure of the response. To be honest, the North parents hadn't really spoken to their children the past two days. In some ways, it felt a bit like a blessing. On one hand they didn't have to deal with the wrath of their parents. But on the other hand, Everett couldn't remember the last time their parents were this angry and upset.

Everett knew the news both he and Jesse unleashed a few nights ago probably changed the entire world their parents built up in their heads.

While they wouldn't have normally been opposed to Everett getting out and experiencing the world, Everett knew they most likely felt they would be part of that experience as well. Maybe they hoped to keep a watch on Everett.

And while Everett appreciated it, he wouldn't be going into this unprepared. He knew exactly what he needed to do to make sure his college experience was a good one. He wouldn't let his disability get the better of his anymore. He could be so much more if he only gave himself the chance.

As for Jesse, well . . . Jesse needed a bit of freedom. Classroom rules and responsibility were something that would hold him back from becoming an amazing human being. Everett wanted him to see the world; heaven knew that Everett wouldn't be able to see the world. So Jesse should get the chance to do it, for both their sake, but mostly for himself.

"It's a mess, Lizzie," he confessed, raking a hand through his hair. "I think we really overloaded them. I'm not sure what the next move is. I feel bad, but I don't want to skip going to college. I want this."

Lizzie nodded in understanding. "Do you think it's going to damage the relationship with your family, though?"

Again, Everett shrugged. "I'm not sure. I'm a little nervous to talk to them, but I don't want to just shut them out. I don't want them to shut me out, either." Blowing out a huge breath of air, he shook his head and let it drop against the back of the couch. "This is turning into more of a situation than I ever intended it to."

"I'm sorry, Ev," Lizzie muttered, slinging one arm over his chest and hugging him close. The arm he had around her shoulder reciprocated and Everett couldn't help but smile a bit. "You'll get through it. I know you will. Something's gotta give eventually, right?"

Everett nodded in reply. "Yeah," he breathed out. "Eventually." He hoped he would get to talk to their parents when they got home later. He wanted this whole thing resolved already. Only a few days into the stand off and he already felt like a mess.

However, that eventually came walking down the stairs about thirty minutes into the movie playing on TV, in the form of one Jesse North.

"Hey, guys?" Both Lizzie and Everett turned to him. "Can . . . can I talk to you?"

"Of course!" Lizzie leaned forward and grabbed the remote, pausing the movie and giving Jesse the floor. "What's up?" she inquired, giving him that super intense look she wore whenever her curiosity level rose.

Jesse slowly moved in front of them, sitting down on the coffee table and propping one arm on his leg, resting his head there. "Well, I've been thinking a bit. I lot actually," he said, laughing humorlessly. "I think I know what I have to do - and I have to do it soon."

"And that is?"

The room became quiet, nothing could be heard except for the breathing of the three people sitting in front of each other.

"I'm leaving."

WHOA - Jesse has dropped a big bomb here!

What are your thoughts? I would love to hear your feedback! Also, two chapters in a 24 hour period - WHAT?! Hope you guys have enjoyed the last two chapters!