My Father Is Who?!: An E.P. Fan Fiction.

Chapter Sixteen: Stranger in My Own Hometown.

It had been two days since we got home. Things had reverted to normal. Chelsea, Aaron and I headed back to school, momma and daddy went back to working the land and even Getlow went back to his happy self. Everything was back to normal in my world but Aaron's world was having a big shift.

Today, Aaron sat quietly, staring at the blank piece of paper on his desk. I knew why he was so upset. Today was the day we saw his folks off so they could start their new lives in Wyoming. I hoped they would have good luck there, because they deserved it more than anyone in the world. The ride home from school was unusual. There was no playful singing and no talking. Just gravel hitting the body panels of my jeep as we drove slowly through town.

"Are you sure you want to stay here with me?" I ventured, afraid of the answer I might get in return.

"I wanna stay here with you, Dahlia." He stated for the hundredth time that day, "It's just going to take some getting used to, y'know? Not having them down the street." Aaron shrugged, his eyes never left the road.

"You don't have to stay if you don't---"

I was stopped by Aaron who rolled his eyes when I could see the reflection in the rear view mirror, "I'm not going anywhere so stop trying to make me leave, damn it." He muttered disapprovingly.

"I was just saying." I shrugged and turned away from him.

"Don't say anything else, I will be fine. I ain't leaving you and your folks. My parents don't need me hanging around anyway. They're staying with my ma's folks and I'm sure one less mouth to feed would be a blessing." He smirked, absentmindedly.

Aaron pulled into the drive way and the jeep stalled to a halt. Daddy was in the front yard, talking to Judd and Maria. Aaron's hands remained on the steering wheel, his facial expression was solemn. I sighed and let myself out of the jeep, "Are you okay?" I asked, walking around to his side, my voice was reluctant and fearful of the answer that awaited me.

He shifted his golden eyes to look at me and then curled his lip, trying his best to hold a smile. His dark bangs rested across his forehead, his eyes boring into mine. It was moments like this that I wondered why he was so good looking to me. I offered him a hand that he took gingerly. I could tell there was some form of apprehension in the way he moved but he lowered himself from the jeep and walked around to the front with me leading him. Maria noticed him first and rushed over to hold him one more time. I could see the tears glittering in both their eyes.

I pulled myself away from him and coiled my arms around my body, watching the embrace, quietly. Some part of me felt so bad for him. I couldn't imagine watching my family leave me behind. Part of me was being selfish and wanted him to stay but the other part was hoping he would go away with his family. I knew what he needed. I also knew what he wanted: that was me.

Before long, arms coiled around me. Maria had found me, her arms wrapping around me and pulling me into her. She burried her nose against the top of my head and whispered that she was going to miss me. I wrapped my arms around her and told her the same and it wasn't a lie. I was going to miss her.

After all of the hugs were given and goodbyes were said, I watched daddy's truck and Judd's van disappear. Aaron had chosen to ride with daddy and I decided to stay home so if he decided not to return home to me, I wouldn't have to say goodbye.

"Momma, what if he decides not to come back?" I asked, watching from the table as mom fried chicken for dinner. A small smirk tugged at the corners of her lips, her understanding momma smile.

"He's not goin' to up and leave you." She promised me, her eyes never leaving the frying pan that she was working with. I sighed and shifted to watch out the window. Where was the truck? Who would be coming home? Chelsea leaned over the table and poked my shoulder blade. Her finger was as cold as ice and bony.