Note: The school system is set up like the schools where I live (USA, Texas). Kindergarten through fifth grade is an elementary school (ages 5-11), sixth grade to eighth grade is a middle school (ages 11-14), and ninth grade to twelfth grade is high school (ages 14-18). 

Beep Beep Beep

The person reached for their phone, turning it off as they rolled in bed. They quickly checked the time, seeing it was five in the morning. Sighing before stretching and getting up, the person walked to the bathroom to wash their face and teeth. Once they finished, they walked to the room while going to their desk and turning on the lamp to start their homework.

Sitting on the desk in a dull-lit room was Mikeal Hart, a ten-year-old boy who had a set routine for the past three years.

After finishing his homework, he silently stepped downstairs and into the kitchen. He turned on the light, only to hear a groan behind him. Mikeal glanced towards the table near the kitchen, spotting his father there, nursing a terrible headache.

"Dad, how long have you been sitting here?" Mikael asked, checking on his father. He set his palm on his father's forehead, seeing if he had a fever. Noticing the lack of fever, Mikeal helped his father out of the kitchen, bringing him to the living room and setting him on the couch.

Geno Hart, Mikeal Hart's father, kept his eyes closed as he allowed his son to walk him to the couch. Once he lay down, his voice sounded hoarse as he finally responded, "W-what time is it? Did I make you late again for school?"

Mikeal almost wanted to sigh but kept it in like he kept everything in. There needed to be some adult here, and if he had to do it, then so be it.

"No. I am going to make breakfast; did you eat yesterday?" Mikeal made them dinner last night like he did every night. Well, he made breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But, even though he tries to keep his father fed, his father sometimes goes days without touching his food.

"I don't know," Geno responded, grabbing a pillow and putting it over his pounding head; he felt slightly dizzy. His headache was caused by his forgetting to eat again. Most days, since three years ago, he forgets many things.

Three years ago, Geno and Mikeal's life changed forever. They both lost someone they cared about with everything they had: Geno's wife and Mikeal's mother. Since then, Geno has lost the will to do anything, and Mikeal has had to learn how to become an adult.

This time, Mikeal did let a sigh slip, "Dad, once I finished making breakfast, I am going to ensure that you eat."

"I am not hungry," Geno commented, only for his stomach to growl at the same moment. Geno wasn't embarrassed for his 'lie' because his stomach may beg for food, but his mind felt full. And he took his unclear mind over everything else.

"You are," Mikeal reminded him, walking to the kitchen. He did not want to hear any more of his father's denial and stepped away from him. Even if his father no longer knew what he needed, Mikeal ensured that his father got it.

Sometimes, Mikeal felt that he lost his father too.

Time passed before Mikeal returned to his father, setting a plate of food on the table in front of the couch. Light began shining through the curtains in the room as the sun started rising in the sky.

Geno, half asleep, woke up to the smell of food. His stomach growled from the scent, but he almost felt like throwing up from it. "I am not hungry, Mikeal. I'm sorry."

Mikeal crouched by his father, setting the plate on his lap. On the plate were small portions of eggs, bacon, and fruit with one piece of bread on the side. He grabbed the fork he brought and took a few pieces of eggs on it. "You need to eat."

He brought the fork to his father's mouth. Geno wanted to reject the food but always found it hard when his son fed him. That is why he liked eating alone; at least then, he could secretly toss the food. So, he opened his mouth, accepted the food, and slowly chewed it.

Mikeal smiled, almost making Geno feel guilty for skipping meals. But the guilt never lasts. Not when only one emotion clouded his mind 24/7: depression.

Instead of eating his food chilling in the microwave, Mikeal fed his father the whole time. When the plate finally lay clear, Mikeal stood up, ignoring the slight numbness in his legs. "I am going to eat, wash the dishes, then get dressed. Do not sleep yet, Dad; you need to drop me off at school. Do you want some water?"

Geno hummed his response, feeling sleepy. But he told himself to stay awake. Mikeal reached for the water on the table, setting it closer to his father before entering the kitchen to eat his now chilled food.

Finally sitting up, his head feeling somewhat better, Geno grabbed the water and gulped it. Setting the cup back down, he grabbed the remote, leaning back as he turned on the TV. He put it on a random channel, not watching TV as he tried staying awake.

Geno wanted to fall asleep but knew it would cause problems if he did. Mikeal has been late to school eleven times already for his starting year in fifth grade. Last year and the year before were worse, almost causing his child to fail for missing too many days or entering class late.

Since his son is close to entering middle school, he is trying to be better. Well, that is a lie. Mikeal is ensuring he doesn't cause him (Mikeal) to be late for school. His son started waking him up during the weekdays, causing his father not to make them late.

It has been getting better, but it is still a challenge.

Deep down, Geno is ashamed that his son has to play the adult when it should be the other way around. But it is hard for him to push the emotion out when his mind feels too shattered to express anything.

Maybe he should have died too. Because at least he wouldn't have to subject his son to this life.

"Dad?" Mikeal called, waving his head in front of Geno's face. Geno barely noticed that he checked out again until his son appeared in front of him, fully dressed and holding his backpack.

Geno blinked a few times, staring at his son, "Is it time?"

"Yes. Are you okay to drive?" Mikeal asked. Mikeal did not want to miss school or stack more late days when it was only the beginning of the school year, but some days, his father found it hard to drive or even get up.

"I am." Geno stood up, only to falter in his steps. Mikeal grabbed his father, holding onto his thin arm. Mikeal tried not to think about how, three years ago, his hand could barely close around his father's arm.

"Are you sure? I think I can take another day off."

"No," Geno shook his head, regretting it instantly when a dizzy spell almost overtook him, "I can drive you; I promise."

"Okay. Okay." Mikeal took his father's words.

Once they reached the school, Geno parked rather than join the drop-off line. He glanced at Mikeal unbuckling himself and opening the passenger door. Before Mikeal could walk away, Geno grabbed his hand, tightly holding it.

Mikeal peered at the hand in his before glancing at his father, "Is something wrong?"

"I-I," Geno's voice broke as he tried to find the right words. He knew he had been the worst father for the past three years but could never find the words to tell his son that he was truly sorry.

Mikeal's face scrunched up, holding back incoming tears as he saw the look in his father's eyes. He knew what his father wanted to say but could never voice it. He knew. And that is what kept Mikeal from ever complaining about how tired he was of playing the adult. How tired he was of never being a kid.

He reached over, kissing his father's cheek, "I love you; try to eat while I am out, okay?"

Geno pulled his hand away, nodding his head. "I will see you after school."

Mikeal gave a final goodbye before closing the door and walking to the school building. Geno watched his son leave, wondering if this was how they would always be.

Mikeal walked to his classroom and pulled out his phone. He saw that he still had some time before classes started. Once he entered the classroom, only three students and the teacher were inside.

Placing his bag next to his desk, Mikeal sat down, pulling out his workbook and homework. He ensured his homework was completed before opening his workbook. He started working on the book when another classmate sat at the desk in front of him, turning towards Mikeal. 

"Mikeal, did you check out the game I sent you last night?"

Looking up, Mikeal stared at his once close friend, Lock. Mikeal used to have many friends and was once a social person. But, since his father became a shell of himself, Mikeal dropped everything to care for him. He cannot remember the last time he hung out with them or did anything like a child his age is supposed to do.

Mikeal shook his head, "Sorry, I've been busy."

"You've been busy a lot," Lock complained. He hasn't hung out with his friend for so long that Lock felt like Mikeal was distancing himself from everyone.

Shrugging, Mikeal returned to his workbook, not having anything left to say. Seeing that Mikeal was ignoring him, Lock clicked his tongue before walking away.

Glancing towards the two while listening to the conversation was Teacher Nicholas. Seeing Mikeal's nonchalant responses and Lock looking unhappy, Nicholas began wondering when everything started to change.

Nicholas has been in this school since Mikeal joined in kindergarten. Honestly, Nicholas watched all the kids grow up since kindergarten before they finally joined his class for fifth grade. He had seen Mikeal for many years and knew the child as a lively boy who loved socializing with everyone.

But, three years ago, Mikeal has changed. Nicholas heard about the loss of his mother and could understand him wanting distance from things. But, he felt that Mikeal was getting worse. From barely socializing, missing school, many tardies, and sometimes even his homework barely being done, Mikeal did not seem like himself.

Nicholas fears that Mikeal is becoming a shell of himself. Maybe it is time for him to interfere before it is too late. Nicholas does not want to lose his student.