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Mom wanted to visit Kel and Hero’s parents, I almost forgot they were still friends… but since Mom doesn’t want to leave me alone anymore, I had to go with. “It’ll be a chance to see your friends again!” She told me, she overestimates how forgiving they were I suppose.
Even though she knows the truth… she doesn’t hate me. It’s like she knew all along, maybe she did. That’d explain why mom and dad fought like that that night.
It’s almost as if me telling the truth gave her hope in me again? It’s hard to describe, but she started trying to get me outside more often. And not like how she did before, a lot more effort was there, more determination. She even got me a cat in exchange for me doing grocery runs from then on. Anything to get me outside I guess.
I’m snapped back into reality and out of my thoughts by a bump in the road caused the car to shake
“Ah, Faraway roads oh how I missed you, not.” Mom sighs, I exhale lightly at that. The roads were always pretty bad here, which makes me wonder where all those tax dollars were going…
Another bump from the car jolts me out of my own head again. Maybe I should focus on the present before I get carsick.
Looking out the window I try to point out things I recognize.. there’s a Gino’s Pizza place, another one opened after I left. Maybe I’ll try to convince mom to take me there before we go back home. Maybe I could even go with my friends…
No, they aren’t my friends, they made that very clear with the words they spoke that day. They never want to see my face again.
Well… maybe just me and Basil can go, I’ve managed to keep good contact with him at least. After the truth was revealed he started to come out of his shell a bit. Reach out more, start more conversations. I’ve gotten out of my shell too, I just don’t really notice as much.
I wonder if Basil got any of those tattoos he was talking about…
Once again I am brought back to the real world as the car parks, there’s Kel and Hero’s house. I just have to pray Kel isn’t home.
My mom opens the car door for me and I step out. she’s gotten into the habit of doing that ever since I hit my arm on the car trying to get out, having one eye really is a pain sometimes. Most of the time I don’t even notice it, then I bump into a door frame or drop something in front of the table because of my missing sense. At least school doesn’t force me to do sports… so the disability does have its perks.
I follow mom closely praying to whatever god there is, Kel is busy. The door opens and the adults share many greetings, doing that loud and slightly too long hello and hug all moms do. All I can do is stand awkwardly as they exchange greetings.
Kel’s mom turns her attention to me, her eyes looking a tad bit sad. She pities me, no matter how much she tries not to make it obvious.
“Kel just left, he must be off to play with that Aubrey girl already… sorry Sunny” and now it’s my turn to try not to make it obvious I’m relieved. I turn to look at mom and gesture in the direction of Basil's house.
“Of course Sunny, go and see your friends. And remember to use that phone I gave you, I don’t want you to get lost.”
I nod and start on my way to Basils house. It’s been a while since I’ve been on these roads, almost eight months… maybe nine. But I could never forget the way to my best friend's house.
I’m there quicker than I expected, and knock on the door.
“Oh! Thank goodness you’re back Basil you forgot your-“ Polly stares at me for a moment “…hello, I assume you’re here for Basil? He just left to the store to get more gardening supplies, but he forgot his wallet…” she said holding a small leather pouch with flower designs all over it, it was a bit faded at the edges with what seemed like water damage? Unclear, but before I can further inspect the money holding piece of fabric Polly hands it to me and thanks me.
I guess I’m taking this to Basil then.
He’s most likely at OtherMart, since that’s where the gardening supplies can be found.
Right around the corner… down the road… then past the park- oh the park.
I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt to stop here for a minute. The store is only two minutes away anyway.
Looking around for a place to just take in the area, I see bright pink hair from the corner of my eye. It’s Aubrey!
I… shouldn't get my hopes up, she probably still hates me after I told them all the truth. But I should still have some hope… she’s a good person at heart, and she out of anyone there would understand. That feeling of being trapped in a confrontation, the anger and then the guilt. Maybe she just needed some time, and this is the perfect time to talk to her.
We could become friends again… maybe. I won't know until I try anyway.
I approach carefully, don't want to come off as intimidating. Just quietly tapping her shoulder like I used to do, she’ll recognize it right? She lifts her bat as I get closer… that's a tad concerning. But she doesn't seem angry, in fact she seems quite relaxed. Was she expecting me…?
As I lift my hand to tap on her shoulder she quickly turns around
Did I startle her?
I move my hand back to wa-