Happier With You | ✓

Chapter 17

NIGHT LONDON OPENED THE BOX

Sweat trickled down my face as I took another step.

When I'm mad, I run. Or exercise. Anything to control my anger.

But I'd been running for two hours, and it was completely dark outside.

Finding out what was inside that box had literally shocked me.

When I got home, I pushed open the front door and scanned the room. My parents were sitting in the living room with my grandparents.

My mom was the first to notice me. "When did you come out of your room?"

I raised an eyebrow at her.

She motioned for me to take my earphones out.

Oh, right. I was still listening to music.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" I asked.

"Never mind that. Have you been running?" My dad asked.

"Yeah. Had to get something off my chest."

He nodded.

"Well, it's time we head to bed." My grandmother said as she stood from the couch.

My grandfather followed her out of the room and upstairs to the guest bedroom.

Mom's eyes were still on me. "What's on your mind?"

I hesitated for a second, then finally said it.

"I opened the box."

Her face dropped.

"The one your biological mother left you?" my dad asked.

I nodded.

His eyes darkened slightly. "What was in it?"

"I have a twin brother.." I said, my voice steady. "His name is Landon. Apparently, he was adopted at birth. The box explained everything-and it had his number in it."

Silence.

"Oh, wow." Mom breathed out. But something seemed off, like she wasn't saying something.

I smiled at her before taking a sip of my water.

"You should meet him." Dad reasoned.

"I already reached out to him. We're going to get coffee after school tomorrow." I hesitated. "If that's fine with you guys."

Mom frowned. "You've never met him before. Or even seen him in person. Seeing him alone is a really big step."

"Liz, come on." Dad sighed. "It's her brother."

"Yeah, but that isn't really safe. She doesn't know the dude."

Dad scoffed. "What's so bad about it?"

Mom turned to him sharply. "Her mother was a drug addict, Anthony. For all we know, she could be setting her up!"

His face tightened. "Babe, stop jumping from A to Z. It's not that serious."

"Don't babe me right now." She snapped. "Do you not realize how dangerous this is?"

I looked between them, my stomach twisting.

"You will come straight home from school tomorrow. Nothing else. Am I understood?" Mom said firmly.

"Mom, I-"

"Am. I. Understood?" She repeated.

I clenched my jaw.

"Yes."