Forgotten Yours

Family Day

My black converse squeaked against the floor with each step I took. The humidity was so strong today that my sweat made my black shirt stick to me. A lot of students were out today to greet their parents on family day. I myself had never been so glad to see my parents before. Walking to them, I flung my arms over them both. For days I hated how distant we felt that day at the hospital. I had forgotten how much I've put them through. 

They laughed out loud as I plowed into them. My dad had his camera tied to his wrist and my mom held a picnic basket. I noticed they seemed to look around alot with a disappointed look. Obviously, like me, the actual place looked nothing like the flyer.

"Hey sweetie," they said in unison. 

"Hey, I missed you guys so much!" I said almost on the edge of tears.

"We're here now. Everything is going okay?" My mom asked me putting her hands on each shoulder and looking me in the eye.

I wanted to tell her everything. Tell her about the figures coming back, about how I hated Lucy, and how everything here seemed so weird. I wanted to tell her about Connor and Damon. I wanted to open up to her and get her motherly advice in the boy department. But I couldn't. Just like the first time I told them about the figures, she'll look at me as if I wasn't her daughter.

There would be no way to explain to her what happened that night. Or what I've been going through since I got here. 

"Of course everything is fine, Dear. Athena's just being paranoid like usual," my dad said not even letting me answer. "Isn't that right, sweetie?"

"Are you kidding me? This place is a joke." I blurted. Damn my stupid mouth.

"Athena, we just want one day with you without all the complications. We packed all your favorites," he said strictly.

Shyly, my mother held up the basket and opened the top to reveal hot cheetos, coke, and slices of cold pizza. 

"Cold pizza?" I asked in a voice that sounded like a little kid wanting candy.

"And coke. Hot cheetos, twizzlers, and a few other things," my dad said. 

"I don't know why you put those things in your body," my mom said shaking her head.

A whistle blew making both of my parents jump up in fright. 

"Relax. It's just the lunch bell," I explained. "By the way, you guys have to meet Perry!"

I pulled them along the walk way to the back yard. My parents walked carefully behind me as if a something might jump out and murder them. My dad gestured at the dying plants. My mom was gripping her purse to her chest. If they're acting like this, I could only imagine how they'll act if they see the cameras. 

A few days ago Arya had taken me around the whole campus and showed me where they were hidden and which ones quickly died. I thought about mentioning this to them to start a conversation but then held back. We just needed to get through this day. I could tell they didn't want to be here. Perry was sitting on the bleachers swinging her feet. Seeing us, she jumped down and ran over to us.

"Perry, these are my parents, Tom and Lisa Richards."

"Perry Sacket. It's great to meet you," Perry said not waiting for an introduction. 

Perry and my parents clicked immediately. They shot question after question to Perry and she just had an answer for everything. We stopped to the opening by the willow trees. My mom spread out the blanket and we all took a seat. My dad handed us each a napkin with a slice of pizza while my mom just pulled out a clear plastic tray of salad.