Chapter Text
“Your dad and I thought it’d be good if you moved back in with us, there’s no shame in failing hun..” My mom explained as I tried not to cry. I had dropped out of high school again. There was so much shame in failing. I knew mom wanted me to feel better, she knew that I was upset. Who wouldn’t be? After being expelled over one stupid fight.
“Everyone in Hiddenvile knows me. Do you want me to die of embarrassment?” I asked, sounding more aggressive than I had meant to. I ran a hand through my hair as I listened to my mom sigh.
I sat in the apartment that my parents had got me a few months back, trusting me to be responsible as I studied away from home. Away from Hiddenvile. I sat by the kitchen table, pulling my knee up to my chest.
It was late in the evening for me, but it was early morning in Hiddenvile. My mom had called as soon as she opened the email from my, now prior school administration. And as I spoke to mom, dad was buying me the next flight back to Hiddenvile. He was angry at me..
I knew he was. Mom tried not to say anything about it but I knew. Dad was always annoyed with anything I chose to do, but he was never vocal about it. He was silent. And I hated that even more.
“Your dad says the closest flight is 2 days from now, 9pm our time.” Mom spoke up after a long pause. I hummed, running a hand down my face.
“Yeah. Cool.” I huffed, standing up as I walked over to my bedroom, shutting off the kitchen light as i left the room. I laid down in bed as mom explained that she’d send an email with the tickets over to me soon.
“I’m headed to bed.” I cut her off, feeling a headache forming from my mom talking so much, on top of all that had happened today- I didn’t need mom talking my ear off so late.
“Alright, get a good nights rest, we’ll see you soon hun.”
I dropped the call, not bothering to say goodbye. I put my phone down to charge and rolled over, soon passing out from mental exhaustion.
.
.
.
I didn’t want to be here. I wanted to get back on the plane and leave again.
My phone buzzed with messages and missed calls from my mom as I turned on my internet.
________________________________________________________
Mom <3
Mom
I’m waiting for you at the parking lot
Next to the pay parking
________________________________________________________
I took my bag, slinging it over my shoulder as I tried to find the exit of the airport. It took about 20 minutes to get through baggage claim as the room was packed full.
I scanned the airport parking lot and saw my mom’s car. A feeling of happiness rushed into my chest and I couldn’t help but smile as I walked over. Mom got out of the car and greeted me with a hug, I saw her smile as she let go.
She opened the car’s trunk and I put my stuff inside, telling her about how the 9 hour flight had gone.
“We had some turbulence but it was good overall.” I shrugged as I closed the trunk.
“Did you get any sleep?” She asked me and I hummed, walking over and sitting in the passenger seat as she sat behind the wheel.
“I fell asleep for a few minutes but I couldn’t sleep much. There was a baby beside me, crying most of the flight.” I scratched my face, yawning as the jet lag set in.
Having flown out from Europe where it had been late at night and landing in Hiddenvile when it was early in the morning made me confused. I knew logically what was happening but sitting in the car and looking out the window as the car drove back home was a surreal feeling.
The drive back I mostly sat staring out the window while my mom listened to her music on the radio. I closed my eyes, feeling the familiar feeling of the sun on his face. I supposed I’d sort of missed it..
“Welcome home.” My dad greeted me as mom opened the door. I stood by the door with my bag in hand. I nodded my head hello, already feeling the awkwardness setting in. I just wanted to lay down for now, I’d just have to hope that mom and dad would let me.
“You must be tired.” Mom spoke the words I’d been waiting to hear. She ushered me to my room, telling me to sleep however long I needed to for today.
Pulling my bag with me up the stairs I stopped to ask them if I was going back to Hiddenvile high.
“We’ll talk once you sleep hun.” Mom smiled. I saw my dad look to the side, his eyebrows furrowing. He cleared his throat, turning to look back at my mom, then me. And in that moment, deep in my stomach I felt that I had my answer right there.
In the pits of my father’s eyes and uneasy expression- I’d found my confirmation.
I bid them both goodnight as I walked upstairs without another word. Hiddenvile had always been my home and I suppose I was meant to live here, study here.
My room looked the same as when I’d left four months ago. I shut the door behind me, locking it for some privacy. The only difference was that for once it was clean. No spare clothes lying on my desk or chair. No dust on my computer. I set my backpack on the floor beside my desk. Mom had probably cleaned it once I moved, she was always one for a clean house.
With a heavy sigh, I sat down at my desk, doing so out of instinct. I remembered how each day after school I’d run here and play video games for hours, then go to bed and find someone to give me their homework to write off of so I wouldn’t get into trouble.
I smiled, knowing that something good came from moving schools four months ago- I had become less lazy.
I turned in my chair, looking over my room as if for the first time. Living alone had taught me a few things about how truly important a clean house was. I felt stupid for always having a mess in my room.
Things were going to change. Even if I’d have to attend Hiddenvile high again, I’d make sure that I would be better, despite whatever my schoolmates will think.
With the thought and hope of change, I stood.
“Change should start at changing those God-awful bedding.” I ripped off the old, bright blue covers that had a childish cartoon’s mascot plastered all over it.