Questioning Means Uncertainty

Chapter Twelve

"Alright everyone. We head out tomorrow preferably in the morning." Mother called in a giddy tone. I felt exhausted from the amount of crying I'd been doing all day. Learning you weren't your father's daughter after treating him like shit was earth shattering. I might not have looked like him, but I never thought it'd be because of this. I may have also resented the guy, but even I would never wish this upon him.

My eyes drooped as I sat on the couch. Rei sat next to me, Josh on the right couch, Mother on the left single couch. I shook my head lightly to stay awake. It was 8:00 PM and we were all sitting in the living room. Mother could barely keep her excitement in, Josh was excited to see where we spent our time. Josh also bombarded Mother with questions when he learned she also knew. They were both excited for entirely different reasons. Rei and I were mostly indifferent about the visit which was slightly annoying for Josh. Rei picked out a rom-com show to watch in order to pass the time.

Within ten minutes into the first episode, my head was nodding as my eyes drooped. After a few nods, Rei forced my head onto her shoulder and held my hand. It was comfortable. I unknowingly fell asleep and woke up in the morning from Mother coming into Rei's room with the camping gear. I sat up in confusion. Did someone carry me? Rei sat up from behind me and yawned.

"Hurry. The sooner, the better." She called. Rei checked her phone. 6:00 AM.

"God, you're too excited to hike at six in the morning." She groaned. I stood up and stretched. My eyes burned and I still felt like crying. God. Two days away from that realm and I've become a softie. I sighed and before I could go downstairs for clothing, Mother handed both Rei and I a pile of clothes.

"Camping clothes."

I stared at her for a moment before taking them. She promptly left to go wake Josh and let Mason know he had the house for a week, shutting the door on her way out. Rei started getting dressed and I did the same.

"Are you feeling any better?" Rei asked after a moment.

"What?"

"Yesterday, you were tired but didn't want to sleep so I had to force you to. When I wanted to take you downstairs you started crying in your sleep. Mother and Josh had already gone so they didn't see but I ended up taking you up here since you wouldn't let go of my arm. Do you feel any better?" She explained. I cried in my sleep? And wouldn't let go of her? Christ, was it really that bad?

"Ah.." I sighed. "Honestly.. I still feel really bad. I feel like the smallest thing could send me into a mental breakdown. I feel really dramatic about it, like I'm over-dramatising the situation."

"You found out your father wasn't your father because your mother had an affair sixteen years ago. What do you mean over-dramatising?"

I smiled gratefully at her and resumed my dressing. My eyes felt sensitive and my body was filled with exhaustion. I felt cold and continued shivering throughout our preparations. My head was also screaming out in pain.

"Babe, you okay?" Jason asked once we were out and on our way to go 'camp.' "Babe?" We told him that our mother knew and he seemed surprised but didn't argue. He was more astonished when he learned she would be joining us. Again, he had no qualms about it. "You look really tired."

"It's 7 AM, of course I'm tired." I replied.

"Stacy, you're a vampire. You're mostly nocturnal."

"I didn't sleep well."

He hummed in a questioning tone but didn't press for an answer. I don't think I would've answered truthfully if he had. Mother drove as far as she could into the area all while asking James and Jason questions regarding their families. Once we were as far in as we could get, we exited the car with our things and hiked through. Mother continued her conversation with the guys. Rei noticed I was shivering and put her jacket over me, it smelled like her. I smiled gratefully at her. Mother led us through the mountains and through who knows how many streams. Finally, after what felt like hours, we reached the site she talked about. It was indeed very out of the way but it was perfect.