Learning to Fly

Chapter 3

*Aurelia P.O.V.*

A few more weeks passed and I was still focusing on my school work. "Who else's parents are coming tonight," Hawk asked at lunch. "My mom will," Miguel said. "What about you Lia," Hawk asked. "My mom usually shows up and if we can't find a sitter then my brother will come too," I said. "Oh little JJ. I haven't gotten to meet him yet," Miguel said. "Yeah. Anyways my mom has been acting weird everytime she looks at this school so I'm not sure if she will come," I said. "Weird how," Miguel asked. "Well she'll get this far off look in her eyes and I'll have to snap her back to the present," I said. We finished school for the day and I went home to get ready for parent night.

"Lia come help me with dinner," mom called. "I thought we were eating out tonight," I asked. "Why would we eat out," she asked. "Tonight is parent night you said we were going to eat out," I said. "Shit. I completely forgot. Let me go get your brother ready and then we can go," she said rushing to get JJ and clean him up. Soon we were out the door and arrived at the school. I took JJ's hand and mom's, as we walked in. It was very loud and crowded when we got in. Almost immediately mom and Carmen ran to each other, for a hug. "Come on JJ," I urged as we walked a little faster to get to mom. "Hey Miguel," I greeted. "Is this JJ," Miguel asked. "Yup this is Javier Jr," I introduced. "I'm sorry about Javy. He was a good man," Carmen said to mom. "Thank you. God there's so many memories here," mom said looking around. "Huh," I said. "I'll tell you later," she said.

We continued to walk around and my mom suddenly froze in her tracks. I looked to where she was looking and saw a man about her age standing talking with a teacher. She slowly walked over and he soon caught sight of her. "No way," he said. "Daniel. It's been a long time," she said hugging him. "Yeah it has. Umm. This is my wife, Amanda, and my two kids," he introduced. "Lia do you," mom began. "Yeah. Sam and I have some classes together," I said. "What brings you back to the Valley," Daniel asked. What!? "My children and I needed a fresh start after my husband passed," mom said after looking at me. "Oh I'm so sorry for your loss," his wife said. Sam just looked at me with sad eyes. "JJ has to go to the bathroom. I'll be back," I said excusing us. "But I don't have to go to the bathroom," JJ argued as we got close. "I know that, but I just needed to get away from that," I told him. "You're going to have to face it sooner or later," he said. "How are you so young, but so smart," I asked crouching down to his level. "Because I know what my big sister needs to hear," he said pressing his little hands toy cheeks.

"Aurelia," a voice called from behind me. I looked over my shoulder and saw Hawk. "Is this your little brother," he asked. "Hi. I'm JJ, what's your name," JJ asked holding out his hand. "Eli," he introduced. I tilted my head slightly and he just shrugged. "Where's your mom," he asked turning to me. "Talking to Sam Larusso's dad. Apparently they know each other," I said. "No way," Hawk said in shock. "Yeah. I still don't know what is going on. She said she is going to tell me later," I said.

We finished out parent night and we went home. Mom put JJ to bed before coming back to my room. "So are you going to tell me what that was tonight," I asked. "You're going to find out eventually so I may as well tell you," she said. "Gee thanks mom," I said sarcastically. "When I was young, younger than you, I moved here after a rough time in new York. And I lived here for several years, but I made a lot of memories with people here especially during my senior year of high school. Your school now, was my school when I lived here," she told me. "Oh. So you moved here because you have memories here," I asked. "Yes, but not all are good," she said. "Is this where you met Papa," I asked hanging my head. "No. I didn't meet your Papa until my senior year of college back in New York," she told me. "Get some rest baby," she said kissing my forehead.

The next day I got dressed in a pair of jeans, converse, and a hoodie. I pulled my hair up in my usual high ponytail. I grabbed my backpack and phone before walking out of my room for the day. Mom took me to school and I hopped out of the car then met up with Miguel. "Hey Lia," he greeted. "Hey Miguel. Have you seen Hawk," I asked. "Not yet. Why," he asked. "I just would like to talk to him," I said as the bell rang. We went to class and it was about lunch when I finally saw Hawk. "Hey," I said walking over. "Oh hey Aurielia," he said. "I've been looking for you all day," I said. "You have," he asked. "Yeah. How come you introduced yourself to my little brother as Eli last night," I asked. "Oh. Eli is my real name," he said scratching his neck. "Why? I-I mean why did you introduce the real you rather than Hawk," I asked. "I figured you wouldn't want me to introduce myself as Hawk to your little bro," he said. "Oh," I said. That is kinda sweet of him to show the real him to my brother.