For You,' |SparklingHerb Smut-Angst|

🥂Caring vs Not🥂

This book may contain the following: cussing/swearing, suicidal language, mentioning of the use of drugs or other chemicals, abuse, and mentioning of rape. If any of these things cause you disturbance or cringe, you are welcome to leave. Thank you!

'Sparkling POV'

Here we are- the last place I'd expect my parents to be at. I was standing in front of a decent looking apartment home, with flowers and roses growing outside the main gate. I turned my head a little bit to the right.

There was my bar.

Damn you Sparkling- you opened your bar right next to where your parents lived all these years, and you haven't talked to them once? I'm so mad at myself right now.

I walked towards the gate security, "Hi, I'm here for room 308." I showed him the address I had. The guy dialed a number on the phone and held it up to his ear, it rang for a while, but eventually, it picked up.

"...hello ma'am, this is downstairs security speaking. We have a young boy wanting to..." he looked at me.

"Visit," I whispered back. The guy nodded, "...uh, visit your residence."

There was silence on the other end. The tension in my head was so strong, I could feel by heart pressing against my chest. Was my parents really...

Suddenly, a croaky soft voice answered.

"..we are not expecting visitors. Who does he claim to be? Honey, is one of your friends supposed to come by today?"

Another voice chimed in, a lower and harsher voice.

"No, thats next week."

This was it. The only evidence, the only proof, the only missing puzzle piece I needed to convince myself that my own mother and father was still here. Living.

I could feel tears starting to form in my eyes. The security guard looked at me, waiting for an answer. I smiled as I felt the tears drip down my face:

"I'm their... son. Sparkling. Tell them that I've come home."

'Herb POV'

I was about to cross the street when suddenly someone tapped me on my shoulder. I turned around.

H...huh!?

"T-taffy! What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at work?" I jumped back, surprised to see them smiling guiltily at me.

"Oh- sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. We're you looking for the boss? He's not at the bar, it's closed on weekends. I just thought I'd like you to know that." Taffy laughed.

"O-oh... actually, I wasn't looking for Sparkling. I was looking for you." I muttered, slightly embarrassed. Taffy's eyes widened, then he giggled, "Did my speech get to you?" I nodded slightly. 

I noticed all the artwork he was carrying in his right arm- they were really pretty.

"...Did you paint those?" I asked. Taffy blushed.

"Y-yeah, it's embarrassing."

"No no! They're wonderful. And don't be embarrassed. I'm embarrassed to tell you that I wanted to talk to you even though, well, we've just met."

Taffy looked at me. I don't know if it was out of pity, or sympathy, or maybe it could've just been an accident. But something about the look they gave made me feel a shiver. 

Both of us headed towards a bench and sat down, and for the first time, I noticed that Taffy was really short.

I was short enough already, but seeing someone shorter than me just made me feel weird.

"So... how old are you?" I asked. He looked around my age.

"I-I'm 19. I'm turning 20 next month." He looked guilty. Wait, so I'm older.

"O-oh, I'm 22. You seem older than you are," I laughed.

Taffy laughed too, "Yeah, everyone says that. I wish someone can say I look older too, with my height and appearance, I look like a 9 year old."

"I'm short too! Everyone is always so much taller than me- sometimes even girls can inch over me just by a bit."

"Same! Everyone at my college is way taller than me. Everyone was mostly boys, so it was actual hell. Can you imagine walking into the bathroom and seeing all the girls being taller than you?

 Both of us actually have a lot more in common than we thought, maybe we can really be good frie-

Wait a second.

"Bathroom...girls? But... aren't you a...?" I looked at taffy again. They had a really slim build... short but still slightly long light brown hair... a pretty short height... and...

Oh no.

Taffy looked confused, he-... no, she cocked her head to the side.

"Taffy..." I started, "Are you perhaps... a girl?"

'Sparkling POV'

Room 308, floor 10.

Who knew going up an elevator could take so long.

I closed my eyes. It's okay, Sparkling. They let you past the gate- which means they probably want you to be here.

Ding! The elevator door opened. I slowly inched out of the cramped space and into the hall. Room 308... room 308...

Here it is. I stared as I stood in front of the wooden door. Never in my life have I been this scared to turn a doorknob. I took a deep breath in, and let it go. It'll be ok.

I was reaching for the golden knob when suddenly, the door opened on it's own.

"Sparkling.. it's really you."

I looked up, expecting to see the same familiar pitch black eyes I remember.

But instead, I didn't. It was mom-...but she was different. I felt my heart sink. Mom's haired didn't change much, yet her eyes did. They look... brighter. Almost warmer. She was wearing a white t-shirt with pajama pants.

"...Mom." I forced a smile on a face, "Uh...hi."

Mom looked too stunned to speak. Her mouth was open, her eyes were wide. Suddenly, her brows furrowed as she sniffed back tears.

"Oh Sparkling, it's really you!" She ran over to me and hugged me, squeezing me so hard that I couldn't breathe, "You don't know how much both your dad and I missed you!"

I gasped for air as she let go. Missed...me?

Someone came up from behind her. Dad.

"Is he really-... Sparkling... you're alive!" Dad came over and gave me another hug. Less tight this time.

"Y-yeah... It's great to see you two too," I laughed. Did they really hoped to see me all these years?

Mom cupped her hands around her mouth, shaking her head.

"Honey, you don't know how hard it was for the both of us to force you to stay at grandmama's. We thought long and hard about it and decided it was for your future."

Dad nodded his head, "We hit... a rough road during that time. We didn't want it to affect you any more than it already did. Can you please forgive us?"

I stared at them. They're smiles were genuine. Those tears are genuine. I...

Before I knew it, tears started dripping down my face too.

Both of them came over and hugged me tight. Without speaking, I think the sniffling and soft tears said my answer for me.

Yayyy!! I posted on time. Thank you everyone for your patience! I'll see you all next week :)