Glorybringer AU ☆the fault in our stars☆

[10] Last Time

☆Glory☆

"Glory, your mother wants to meet you. I know you might not want to, and I was furious with her." Grandmother's eyes are soft. They usually are, when they look at me. That's the best thing about her. "I thought that maybe we can introduce you to her and Jambu, your half-brother. Only if you want to, of course. I would want the best for you."

I want to.

Maybe it's more than curiosity. Maybe we both have something missing in our lives. Although Grandmother switches the TV off when my mother- Andromeda- comes on, she can't bear to throw the picture in her bedroom away.

And, in turn, I sometimes look at myself in the bathroom mirror, brushing my blonde hair. Because, after all, it's the only thing I have from her.

"I would love to."

I take her wrinkled hand in mine. Because even the famous Grandeur Bright has wrinkled hands. Because even she has her weak moments. But the eyes that look into mine aren't weak at all- they are beautiful. We're both taking our hearts out one last time- we're giving them a chance. We're giving us a chance.

New beginnings and hope. It's what we need.

☆

Slap.

"I told you to never bring him here."

A red cheek. The sound seems to echo all around the room, and I can see Secretkeeper and Moon at the door with the steak, looking shocked.

"I was stupid to think that a girl like you would have changed." Grandmother walks until she is blocking her from me. Her voice is unbelievably cold. "We made a deal for you to come alone. Of course you didn't respect the things I laid out for you, because you're ALWAYS TRYING TO DO THINGS ON YOUR OWN WAY-"

"Well, you haven't changed a bit either, Mother." Her face crumples as she reaches out to touch her reddened cheek. "I came here to see my daughter. Is that so wrong to you? You always manage to make everything about me wrong, don't you?"

Grandmother raises her hand again, and I have to hold her back. She looks surprised, but she slowly lowers her hand. "I thought that you finally came to your senses. That you actually wanted to see your daughter. But here you come with your son, acting like it won't be a surprise to Glory. And maybe that's okay. But your- your husband-What about your daughter? Don't you know what she went through without you? You told me that day that you didn't want to take care of her. And why are you coming back?"

I clench my eyes shut. "Grandmother!" It's the first time I ever raised my voice at her.

"A very open welcome, Grandeur." The man's voice is dry. "I knew you disliked me, but I hope you can manage from hitting my wife again." His eyes sweep over her to me, and he doesn't even try to hide his distaste.

Grandmother presses her mouth shut, her eyes narrowed. She looks like she wants to murder this man, but instead she motions for the boy to come to her side. He obediently does.

"Glory, this is Jambu. Your half-brother." Grandmother gives him a weak smile. "He's currently in college."

"Hello. I'm Glory Bright." I saw him in YouYube videos, but actually realizing that he's related to me is bizarre. He doesn't even look like me- he looks like one of the stars. He belongs there. Half-brother. So not the same father, which probably means that the accident happened during their marrige. I guess I'm something to remind them of it. That explains the frown.