Enemy Confessions

Chapter Thirty Four

It was finally Christmas break. I stood in front of my parent's house with my luggage beside me, trying to work up the courage to walk up the front stairs and into the front door. To say their house is large is an understatement. My parent's house is average for the area but much larger than a typical house at 10,000 square feet.

I took a deep breath "Ok Sterling," I said to myself as I gave myself a pep talk. "One foot infront of the other, walk up those stairs and embrace your family because they love you and you're the one that's selfish cow. Yea, that will do." And with that, I walked up all 25 steps to the double-wide ten-foot-high front doors and pushed the right one open.

I took my shoes and socks off, allowing my feet to step onto the marble floor. It was one of my favourite feelings in the world. I hated bare feet usually, but there was something about bare feet on the marble floor that I loved. "Hello?" I yelled in the enormous entryway. I heard footsteps coming from the hallway to the right, so I waited. I was hoping it was Adam, but instead, it was someone just as good.

"Kent!" I smiled and ran to him when I saw him come into view. I jumped into his arms, and he spun me with ease. I didn't realise how much I missed him until I saw him; video calls were just not the same.

"What are you doing here?" I asked with excitement when he set me down, allowing my feet to feel the cold marble again.

"I decided to surprise you. Your mom thought it would be a good idea."

"My mum?"

"Yes darling, your mum." I looked in the direction of the voice to see my mum standing in the entryway of the hallway. She looked casual yet put together with a basic maroon coloured t-shirt and jeans. I put on the best smile I could and embraced her stretched out arms.

"Hi mum. How are you?" Maybe this time would be different. Perhaps it won't be full of her trying to convince me therapy is beneficial and why I should be closer to home.

"I'm good, I'd be better if you called me more often." She gave me a knowing look. I gave a sheepish grin. "Your brother just went out to pick up some carb-friendly groceries for the trip to the cabin, but he should be back shortly."

She turned and walked down the main hallway towards the kitchen, and Kent and I followed. When we reached the kitchen island, my mum handed me a glass of white wine, which I happily accepted. She grabbed her already poured glass and took a sip.

"How were finals?" My mother asked, making small talk. I always hated small talk.

"Good, I'm just glad their over." I looked over at Kent with a grin. "Speaking of school how's you're lady friend Kent?" My mom didn't know he was dating a professor, so I enjoyed making him sweat. He was working on a transfer so that she wouldn't be teaching at the same university he is studying at.

"Ohh Kent has a new girlfriend?" My mother cooed. She always liked Kent. Sometimes she was sad that we didn't date but has now accepted that we are nothing more than best friends. She was just grateful I didn't abandon him like I did so many others after Amelia was murdered. "She's good, we're good." He said quickly. He didn't want to say too much in front of my mom. I couldn't help but smile at him.

"I should put my luggage away and change, it's been a long trip out here." I said with a yawn. "That's fine dear, I have to call your aunt anyway let her know what time I'll be stopping by in the morning."

Kent followed me up the curved staircase and down the hall. I got to my bedroom door, stopping briefly, knowing that a little further down was my sister's room. A door I haven't opened in months. Since I had been away, I thought it would be easier coming up here, but it wasn't. It still hurt.