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The voices of her parents fell on deaf ears as Robin stared blankly at her reflection in the mirror, trapped in her own head. She had gotten questioning looks from them when she rushed home earlier that day, eyes red and puffy. She hadn't bothered to answer, instead locking herself away in the bathroom for hours. She was almost 100% sure they were talking about her. Robin couldn't bring herself to care, her emotions finally numb after hours of silently choking on her sobs. She closed her eyes as another painful memory washed over her.
It was a late night in May and she had just spent the whole day with The Odd Squad out of town, exploring different nooks and crannies. They had finally decided to stop at the beach and watch the sunset before Milton's dad came and picked them up.
Her attention turned to Kate when the girl sighed, resting her head on Robin's shoulder. Robin smiled softly, kissing her head. Kate was like the sister she never had, kind and gentle yet out going and stern at the same time. Caring to the point where she would physically threaten you. Robin wasn't sure if that was a good thing. Kate closed her eyes and inhaled the air, savouring the fresh air before they had to return to their suffocating home town. Her brown hair blew over her face and she spat it out, causing her friend to laugh.
Robin's eyes then moved to Dash, who had his arm around her and Kate, laughing softly at whatever Milton was saying. Dash was... Dash. There was no other way to explain it. He had a unique personality, similar to the jocks at school, yet kinder, with sides that Robin was sure she might never see. His eyes were unique, too, almost golden like. Dash noticed her staring at him and winked before going back to his conversation. Robin laughed, another thing about Dash, he was extremely flirtatious.
Milton then caught her eye, sitting at the edge of the group, yet he didn't seem to mind. He was wrapped up in explaining whatever nerdy obsession he had now. He was the one that Robin could relate to the most, having a lot in common. He was awkward and gangly like her, with a lot of the same interests. Silently, Robin wondered why she had never tried to get closer to him. Milton was what you would call handsome, she guessed, with a perfectly symmetrical face and a splattering of freckles. Milton turned to her and smiled, and Robin got the sudden urge to hug him. She reached across and pulled him into a hug, accidentally squashing Dash beneath her. Milton let out a surprised gasp but reciprocated, and Robin had to hold back her tears.
'What's wrong, Robin?' Kate asked when she let go of her friend. Robin shook her head and chuckled.
'Noting, Katie. I just... I love you all so much.'
'Damn, what was in that ice-cream?' Dash questioned with a raised eyebrow. Robin gently hit him on the shoulder.
Milton pushed up his glasses, 'Are you okay, Rob?'
'Yeah Milton, I'm good. I just realised how amazing you all are.'
'Just now?' Dash teased.
'No, Dash, seriously. You guys are amazing in each and every little ways. Sure, you have your flaws, but we all do.
And you guys... you are the family that I chose.'
Robin turned to look at her friends who all smiled warmly at her. Kate pulled them all into a giant hug.
'Love you guys.' She said.
'Love you too.' They chorused back.
A few tears slipped down Robin's cheek as she remembered the joy and warmth she had felt in that moment. The Odd Squad were her chosen family, her escape when the world became too real. But they were gone now, separated, disbanded. She hadn't really believed it, didn't want too, until this afternoon when she walked past Dash who completely ignored her. He had become one of the jocks, adopting their exact personality and mannerisms. He had lost his kind side. Kate had smiled at her briefly, but nothing more. That left a gaping hole in Robin's chest. Her best friend, her sister, was barely even paying attention to her anymore.
Her sadness was suddenly replaced with a flash of red hot anger. It couldn't be over, not after years of bonding and going on adventures, not after years of being there for each other at their darkest moments. It wasn't fair.
Robin's long hair dropped into her face and she impatiently brushed it aside, before crying a bit more, remembering when Kate used to braid it. It was too painful to have now. Everything was. Everything she saw or thought about was now going to remind her of what had been lost.
What was that one thing her uncle always used to say?
'Hair holds memories.'
Memories Robin didn't want.
In a blind rage she pulled out the nearest scissors and hacked away at her hair, trying to get every little piece off of her scalp. Maybe, just maybe, if she got it all off, the memories wouldn't be there anymore.
She set down the scissors and stared at her reflection in the mirror: her hair unevenly chopped, mascara stained her cheeks, her eyes red and puffy.
The Odd Squad was finished, and Robin was alone once more.