Total Darkness

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After what felt like an eternity of replaying earlier moments in my head on repeat while Derick sat smirking on my couch my mother finally arrived. I heard the front door swing open and heard the familiar sound of my moms keys jingling against the door. I jumped up off the couch but my dad had already beaten me to the door. He pulled my mother close and kissed her softly. Her cheeks turned a slight shade of pink. I wondered to myself how he and she did it, how do two people so in love stay apart so long.

My dad finally allows my mother to part from his hug and she walks towards me. I can't help but smile and run towards her throwing my arms around her. Her warmth and her arms around me make me feel so safe. We stay there in that hug for a few minutes and I start to cry, Ive missed her so much and needed her much more than I realized. Once my mother and I broke our hug apart she wiped my tears away. " you and I have a lot to talk about my dear" she said and smiled at me as I nodded to her. " Now whom is this handsome young man?" my mother asks and turns to Derick who was sitting quietly on the couch.

Derick stood up from the couch and put on his best smile and stepped towards my mother with his hand out for a handshake. My mother smiled and shook her head no and put her arms out for a hug. Derick stepped in lightly hugging my mother who whispered something in his ear. I watched as he nodded at her and lightly shrugged his shoulders while in their embrace. I wondered what she could have said and planned to question him about it later on.

Once everyone had finished their hellos, and nice to meet you's my dad ushered us into the kitchen. It smelled absolutely amazing. My dad had made my mothers favorite which was homemade spaghetti and meatballs. he hand made everything including the noodles. Not only was my dad a police officer but he was a really good cook. We all sat down at the kitchen table and began to pile food onto our plates. My dad stood up and walked over to the oven pulling out a tray of garlic cheesy bread. I watched as my mom smiled at him and his smile matched hers.

My heart was very full, as was my stomach by the time wed all moved to living room. My dad put on my moms favorite movie and we all settled in to watch it. My mom and my dad cuddled up on the couch. I was so happy to see them together again it was going to hurt when she has to leave again. I miss her being home but I know how amazing this opportunity is for her as well.

I shake the thoughts out of my head and leaned back further into the couch. I felt something warm behind my neck and leaned forward looking slightly behind me only to realize Derick had stretched his arm out behind me. I looked to him only to realize he was looking back at me. I felt my cheeks flush slightly and Derick smiled at me. He then used his outstretched arm to pull me closer to him and I settled into his chest on the couch.

I must have dozed off in the comfort of Dericks chest because I was woken up to Derick laying me down on the couch. I stretched out my arms and legs a bit stiff from how I'd fallen asleep. Derick crouched down next to the couch allowing me to finish my stretch and with a smile kissed my forehead. I looked over and noticed both my parents had disappeared from the loveseat. Derick noticed the confusion on my face and announced that my parents had just headed to bed.

"I'm gunna head home for the night Ad" he said to me. I frowned slightly sad to see him go. He leaned down and kissed my lips lightly. I felt my skin burn red but still managed to return his kiss. "I'll see you later babes" Derick said to me with a smirk. I felt my eyes widen at his words and he turned and walked to the front door. I heard his truck start up a minute later and him begin to drive away.

I cuddled up under the blanket on the couch smiling to myself. A moment later I heard my parents door to their room open and my dad walked down the hall into the living room. " Derick left" he asked me slightly confused. " yeah? Why wouldn't he, he always respects your rules" I replied to my dad. "Hm, I told him he could spend the night as long as he was respectful" my dad said giving me "the look".
I blushed and shook my head in embarrassment.

"He didn't even mention that, he just said he was heading home" I said to my dad sitting up. "Well maybe his parents said he couldn't. You should head to bed Ad" my dad finished and nodded to me. " goodnight ad I love you" he said as he turned and walked out of the room. My dad told Derick he could spend the night? What in the world was going on. My dad must be overtired or something I think to myself.

Another thought occurred to me then. Why didn't he stay.. his parents wouldn't have cared at all. I start to overthink and come up with a million ideas as to why he didn't want to stay here with me. I shake my head and stand up from the couch and walk to my room slightly sad, and confused. I climb into my bed pulling the covers up to my chin and force myself to fall asleep.

When I wake the sun is shining through my curtains, very brightly. I reach under my pillow looking for my phone. My hand finally finds it and I pull it out and check the time. 10:17 am. It's the latest I've slept in a while. I open my text messages to send Derick one. I type and delete over and over again before I finally decide on one, I type it out and hit send.

A: Why didn't you stay?

I throw my phone to the side of me and fall backwards onto my bed and pillows waiting for Dericks reply. After about 20 minutes of waiting I decide to go down to the kitchen to grab something to eat. My house is very quiet, my parents must have went out to eat or to run errands. I grab an apple from the basket on the counter and bite into it while walking over to the refrigerator to find a second option to eat.

I look into the fridge and close it not finding anything interesting. I settle on some cheez-its grabbing the box of the counter. I turn around and walk over to my dining table and sit in one of the chairs. I munch on some of the crackers letting my mind wander aimlessly around. My phone dings in the middle of my day-dream making me jump. 

Der: You're dad was testing me to see if I'd jump at the chance to sleep over Ad, I'm sure I passed.

A: oh alright and yah knowing my dad probably

We text about random topics for a little while and Derick brings the conversation to an end by letting me know he had to head to work. I don't remember him telling me he had on or even working one. I text him asking what job he was talking about and he texted me back about landing a job working on cars in town. He always talks about how much he hates not working so this is good for him. I let him know I am happy for him and let my mind wander about what could have happened if he'd had slept over. 

I won't give the details of went through my mind, but if anyone was able to read my mind id surely be blushing. I push those thoughts out of my mind and text my parents asking when they'll be home since they've gone out. Im missing my mom a bit today and haven't spent much time with her since she's been home. Though I'm glad her and my dad have had some time too themselves. I miss seeing them both every single day. I know my moms living her dreams and I am so happy for her but god I miss her.

I finally after what feels like forever hear the front door open and my parents laughter. I give them a couple minutes to settle in and head downstairs to see them. When I walk into the kitchen they're hugging. They each hold out and arm inviting me to join their hug. I do willingly and we stand there for a moment before parting. My dad motions to the living room and we all go sit down to watch a movie together. I lay down on the couch with my head on my moms lap. Her fingers slowly making their way through my hair. At some point I dozed off, my parents are my safe place. Im so happy they're both here.

My dad comes to wake me from my couch nap a couple hours later. "Addie I hate to wake you but I think you should move to your bed. Confirmation from your school states all classes will return to normal tomorrow." my dad says. I nod at him still half asleep and stand up groggily and make my way to my room. I set my morning alarms and fall back asleep pretty quickly.