Drawn To You

new acquaintances

(Credit to the artist who created this; by the way, his eyes are brown, but the outer part of his eyes are white, just like a human.)
 
I fell asleep for most of the ride. When I woke up, we were on the highway. The sun was in my eyes. I took my headphones out and stretched in whatever room I could, yawning some. "Well look who's finally awake." I looked over at my mom nudging my shoulder, making me groan, "are we nearly there?"

She laughed a bit, "Just a few more miles, then yes, we will be there." I rolled my eyes, looking out the window as the trees flew by. I got my note book out and started writing down some words that popped up into my head, which ended in making a song, remembering every detail of my failed attempt at a childhood. 
 
I used to shut my door while my mother screamed in the kitchen. I'd turn the music up, and try not to listen to every little fight, because neither one was right.
 
After my father passed, my mother was never the same again. She ended up remarried before getting a divorce a few years prior.
 
I swore I'd never be like them.
But I was just a kid back then.
The older I get, the more I see
My parents aren't heroes; they're just like me.
 
I remembered my violent episode that made people terrified to be near me. That's why Jared picked me to be in his gang. 
 
And loving is hard; it doesn't always work.
You just try your best not to get hurt.
I used to be mad, but now I know.
Sometimes it's better to let someone go.
It just hadn't hit me yet. The older I get
 
Audrey
 
I used to wonder why. Why could they never be happy?
 
I always knew why, after a while of seeing how my mom acted. She didn't love him, she just thought I needed a father figure.
 
I used to close my eyes and pray for a whole other family.
One where everything was fine, one that felt like mine. I swore I'd never be like them.
 
But I became worse than they were.
 
The older I get, the more I see
My parents aren't heroes; they're just like me. And loving is hard. It doesn't always work. You just try your best not to get hurt. I used to be mad, but now I know
Sometimes it's better to let someone go. It just hadn't hit me yet. The older I get
 
Repeating that same sentence once more makes it fit just right.
 
The older I get, the more I see
My parents aren't heroes; they're just like me. And loving is hard. It doesn't always work. You just try your best not to get hurt. I used to be mad, but now I know Sometimes it's better to let someone go. It just hadn't hit me yet. The older I get
 
I felt the truck come to a stop, making me quickly close my book, putting the string over to keep it from flying open. I yawned again, unbuckling my seatbelt so I could get out and stretch upon opening my door. Did I come face to-face with a kid?
 
"GAH, what the fuu-heck?" I said, jumping back a bit, making sure to correct myself while in front of my mom, "Well aren't you a sight to see." Before I could reach out, I heard someone yell "Albert." The little boy instantly ran to the voice. I was never really good with kids since they were always whining and groaning about dumb stuff that didn't matter, but I felt like I could get along with this boy. He didn't talk much. 
 
He was a scrawny little thing to say the least. I couldn't tell if he used hair gel or if it was just naturally like that. He looked to be about 4 or maybe 5 and carried around an owl stuffed animal.
 
"Hello, I'm Raine. We are very excited about your stay," another person walked out, extending their hand. I took their hand, "Luz and um we?" They nodded hearing another voice but this time was met with an older women which I assumed must be eda "I see you've already met our son." I nodded "Yes I have, he scared the life out of me at first. Sneaky lil booger."

This made them both laugh. "Ah yes, he is caused his preschool teacher to drop her coffee." Eda laughed, "Don't forget he also scared the girls who read to him at daycare." I smiled, knowing that me and this kid were definitely going to get along.
 
While I was getting my stuff inside the house, Albert ended up following me like there was no tomorrow. Sometimes he would bump into me by accident, making me have to grab his arm before he fell. "Little dude, you're going to have to be more careful." He nodded, looking at all my boxes when his eyes caught a glimpse of something making them sparkle.
 
I turned around to see him staring at my dog plush "Oh I see you've spotted Husk." He was about to run to it but stopped to look at me. I just smiled and went over to the box and pulled him out. "He's been with me since I was your age." I looked down at the old dog, remembering how we had to stitch him up sometimes because I would take him everywhere. I saw the sparkle never left Albert's eyes.
 
I smiled, "Here, I think I'm a little too old to be sleeping with a stuffed animal." He took it with hesitation on his face, but when he got the husk in his arms, he hugged it like it was a long lost toy he'd finally found, making me chuckle.
 
My mom continued unpacking the rest of my things, putting them in somewhat neat stacks, until she was finally done. We hadn't actually talked about this since last night, and it made me feel like I wasn't good enough for her. I heard my name being called and heard someone run up the steps, hearing a small knock, knowing it was Albert.
 
I opened the door and sure enough, it was him. "What's up, little bud?" He extended his small hand, which I took as he led me downstairs. It was rather difficult for me to walk down with such a small boy in front of me, but I managed.
 
"Ah, there you are, and would you look at that? It seems like he likes you!" Eda said, smiling. I nodded. "Oh my! Is that husk?" she said, coming over and cupping my face in her hands, kissing my cheek. "You will just be staying here until summer, then you can come back home." I rolled my eyes, making her pinch my cheek.
 
Eda and Raine started laughing, making the young boy give in. I patted his head, making him smile some, hugging my mom. "Te amo mama." She kissed my cheek, hugging me tight. I knew now that she didn't want to leave, but she couldn't not return home for work or else I wouldn't have a home to return to.