Mission Impossible//Robin Arellano

Part XII

I'm sorry

As I approached the small front porch of the Arellano residence, my ears were filled with sounds of laughter and I could smell a mix of different kinds of alcohol. I wasn't really bothered by the smell or the burning sensation I got in my nose when it was a strong stench considering both of my parents drink frequently.

I knocked on the door and waited a minute or two before Robin's mom opened the door. "How can I-" she looked at me for a bit in shock. "Valerie... I didn't know you were back." I looked over her shoulder and into the living room, kind of expecting to see Robin there. But he wasn't.

"Yeah. Something... unexpected... happened and now I'm back. For good this time."

"I'm glad and I'm sure Robin will be too. He's at Finn's house studying tonight. He should be home soon though."

A smile creeped it's way onto my face. I'm glad he continued to study after I left. The fact that he is determined to keep his grades up even if I wouldn't be the one helping him made me happy knowing he was okay without me. It also hurt me a bit knowing he was okay without me. That meant he didn't need me. Why would he?

"You should probably come inside and wait. It's quite cold out tonight." Mrs. Arellano held the door open wider and gestured with her hand for me to come in.

"That's very kind of you, but it's getting later by the second and my mom doesn't want me out when it's dark."

"Understandable. You stay safe, okay?"

I nodded in response and she embraced me in a hug. Jeez, people really like giving me hugs. After she pulled away, I smiled at her and turned around. As I did so, my eyes met with Robin's and my heart gave a flutter. My stomach was doing flips and I couldn't do anything to stop them. I calmed my breathing and walked over to him.

"Hey..." he managed to say.

"Hi."

Why is this so awkward?

"I missed you. A lot." he chuckled under his breath which made me smile.

"I missed you too. A lot." I mocked him and he smiled with me.

"You know-" his smiled faded as he looked at my wrists.

"What?"

"You're not wearing my bandanna.."

Shit.

"I left Idaho in a hurry and didn't get a chance to bring it with me. I'm really sorry."

"It's alright... I guess. I have plenty more that you can have." He plastered a fake smile on his face and looked past me. He nodded at someone and then looked at me again. "I have to go. You do too I assume."

"Yeah.. right. Goodnight Robin."

"Night Val."

Night? What the hell? Was he really that made about the bandanna?

•_•

The next morning I hurriedly got out of bed and got ready for the day. I needed to talk to Robin about last night and figure out what was wrong. I didn't want to tell him about why I left Idaho so suddenly, so I need an excuse for why I did. Coming up with excuses is not my forte. I literally won a medal in fourth grade for being the worst liar.

As I brushed out my hair, I thought of what I could say to him. One idea I came up with was that my dad died, which isn't believable in the slightest. Another idea was I was able to convince my dad to let me come home. That one sounded believable if you didn't know my dad. Robin knew my dad a little too well. Normally I'd tell him everything, but I just can't this time.

I don't know why, but telling someone so soon just makes me feel sick. When my parents told me about the divorce, I rushed to tell Finn, who rushed to tell Robin. Some things are easier to share with people who you have friendly intentions with. Robin and I have romantic tension that neither of us can seem to cut.

Last night was my chance to tell him how I feel, to tell him that I loved him, but the fast change in my life ruined that. He barely gave me time to explain before he 'had to go.' I had a hard time falling asleep because our interaction was stuck in my head. I kept replaying it the way it was supposed to go and then how it really went. I was embarrassed and hurt at how it went down and I was determined to fix the ending.

a/n
did y'all see miguel's live tonight? it was so funny at the beginning when his audio wasn't working properly. also i completely agree that pineapple belongs on pizza and those who say otherwise need to grow up. 😙