Return Of The Outcast

|018| Meeting the new family

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"There it is," Takahashi enthusiastically said, smiling as he pointed to the white house up ahead as they drove through a quiet neighborhood that was completely unfamiliar to Mia.

Despite it being still quite a distance away, she could still make out its exterior. It was painted a coat of white with subtle touches of soft grey rims that highlighted the architectural details. French windows with delicate wrought-iron balconies hung from above. The house is surrounded by a manicured lawn, dotted with flowering shrubs and a cobblestone driveway that winds its way to a detached garage, and it was certainly a lot bigger and more elegant than her home.

"But that doesn't mean it's better," She thought, already not liking the house or the neighborhood with the only basis being it wasn't her previous place. "This area is too dull. My house and neighborhood are much better." Now she was just actively looking for actual reasons to hate it "I don't even see a park. Where am I supposed to take Mylo for playtime if there are no parks? I bet he won't like it either" she thought, but she couldn't be any more wrong.

Mylo was awake by this point and being the energetic breed he was, he stuck his head out of the open window with his tongue out as if getting a taste of the air and the golden hairs on his body blowing in the wind. He did like the place, which made Mia feel isolated as being the only one who didn't want to be there.

The car swerved into the driveway, and before she knew it, they were already in front of the house she already disliked.

"Alright,. Are you ready to go in?" Takahashi said, staring proudly at his large house, then turning to Mia for confirmation, only to finally notice her reluctant expression.

He realized this all must be for her. "Hey..." he turned to her, wanting to give her comfort but not sure exactly what to say to a teenage girl who recently suddenly lost her mother, and home, and now has to leave her old life behind to come to this completely unfamiliar area where she practically knows nobody. "...I know this is incredibly hard for you, and it's okay to feel lost and uncertain right now. But I just want you to know that even though we're not that close yet, I'm here for you..." he looked at her once again trying to see if his attempt at comforting had any effect, but telling from her unchanging expression and lack of eye contact, he figured it didn't. So he tried again.

"Umm... I know my words probably don't mean much to you, but I made a promise to Rosa that in the case she's gone, I'll protect her daughter the best I can and I'm gonna keep that promise" his words finally caught her attention "Your mother loved you more than anything in this world and I know I'll never be able to fill the hole she left, but I genuinely just want to give you the support and happiness you deserve. And not just me, but my family too. We're excited to have you join us and of course, take your time to process you. You're stepping into a new chapter, and it's filled with possibilities. You've got this, and we've got you. We're in this together."

Mia finally met his gaze. Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, she smiled at him and gave him a slow nod.

And with that, they both unbuckled their seat-belts and got out of the car, with Mia trying to convince herself she was ready for this new chapter in her life.

Mr. Takahashi began to unlock the door, while Mia stood behind him as she held on tight to Mylo's blue leash. He was the only thing that was familiar to her in this unfamiliar place.

Her gaze drifted to the suitcase at her feet, a collection of belongings that seemed so insignificant compared to the weight of her apprehensions. Despite his heartfelt talk she still wasn't sure if she was ready to step into a new life, to replace the familiar faces of her peers with those of people who called themselves family.