a new home

James sat in his uncle's living room, fidgeting with his hands. The silence between them felt oppressive. His uncle, John, sat across from him, a stern expression on his face.

"James, I've made arrangements for you to attend a boarding school," John said bluntly.

James looked up, surprised.

"What? Why?"

John shrugged.

"You need discipline and structure. I don't have time to babysit you."

James felt a sting from his uncle's words.

"You don't want to take care of me?"

John sighed.

"Look, James, I'm doing my duty as your guardian, but I have my own life to live. I can't drop everything for you."

James's eyes narrowed.

"You never wanted me here, did you?"

John's expression softened slightly, but his tone remained firm.

"That's not the point, James. The point is you need a stable environment, and boarding school will provide that."

James felt a mix of emotions: anger, hurt, and resentment.

"Fine. I'll go," James spat, trying to hide his tears.

John nodded curtly.

"Good. The school will contact you with the details."

James stood up, feeling a sense of abandonment.

"Thanks for nothing, Uncle."

John's expression remained impassive.

"Just do what you're told, James. That's all I ask."

James stormed upstairs to his room, slamming the door. He felt like a burden, a nuisance to be discarded.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. James avoided his uncle, unsure how to process his emotions.

As night fell, James began packing his belongings, his movements mechanical. He felt like he was losing his sense of identity.

The next morning, James found a brochure for Pinnacle Academy on his desk.

"Welcome to Pinnacle Academy..."

James crumpled the brochure, feeling a wave of anxiety.

How could his uncle do this to him?

Didn't he deserve love and care?

James's heart ached as he realized he was just a burden to his uncle.

Days passed, and James went through the motions, preparing for boarding school. He bought new clothes, packed his bags, and attended meetings with school administrators.

But inside, James seethed with resentment.

Why was his uncle getting rid of him?

Didn't he deserve a family?

One evening, James confronted his uncle.

"You're just getting rid of me, aren't you?" James accused.

John sighed.

"James, I told you -"

"No, you didn't!" James interrupted. "You didn't tell me anything. You just decided for me."

John's expression hardened.

"Enough, James. You'll do as you're told."

James felt tears prick at the corners of his eyes.

"You don't care about me, do you?" James whispered.