Swayed (A Before You Exit Fanfiction)

Chapter Two - Finally Home

Copyright © 2013 BYEconnort  - All Rights Reserved

It was a very long drive from Maryland to Florida, and my legs were feeling stiff already. Despite the lengthy hours on the road, I couldn’t fall asleep with the anticipation of arriving at our destination.

When we did get there though, I felt nervous. What was it with me today? I was feeling way too much for my mind to handle. Maybe I was getting my period? Am I PMS-ing? Whatever the reason behind all these emotions spewing all around me, I tried to dismiss it as best as I could.

Although I was getting all too worked up about this, my mother was as calm as ever. But I don’t believe her.  She must be feeling some of what I’ve felt too. We were just both good at hiding our sentiments from other people and also each other that we’ve unknowingly built a gap between the two of us. A gap that was hard to fill try I might.

The moment I stepped out of our car to stretch my limbs, a fresh wave of nostalgia hit me like a train. If I couldn’t admit it to myself then, I could now say that I did, in fact, miss this place. The weather was fantastic today or maybe I just found it normal while those who didn’t live here would think it was too hot.

I glanced around my surroundings and from the outside, it looked like nothing much changed in this part of the neighborhood. The thought comforted in a way I couldn’t explain.

I was glad my mother decided to keep our old house. I don’t think I’d have anywhere else I’d rather live in. The inside of our two-story house only surprised me further because it looked the same as ever. The magnets I’ve collected were still arranged precisely on our refrigerator as if we’ve never been gone. Even the keys to my bike’s lock still hung on the wall near the kitchen cabinets. It reminds me that I should check on that bike and see if it would still work.

“Audrey, stop standing there and get your bags from the trunk,” my mom chided, already having a heavy duffel bag over her shoulder. Always eager to get down to business, what’s new?

As I made my way back to our car, I took in our front yard and how clean it was. Our housekeeper must’ve done a great job maintaining it. It was really starting to feel as if I’ve never been gone for the past three years. It also felt as if I was the only one who changed vastly in that said time.

The movers just arrived and the huge truck was now parked directly in front of our house. It was bound to attract attention anytime and I wasn’t ready to see familiar faces just yet.

“Audrey? Is that you?” a voice from behind me asked. Oh, good grief. I spoke too soon, huh?

When I turned around to face the owner of that voice, I was surprised to see the smiling face of Mrs. Mcdonough.

“Hi, Joan!” I greeted enthusiastically. This woman was like a second mother to me. I loved her like one too, and I was genuinely glad to see her. She gave me a warm hug, squeezing me tightly, which I returned with equal spirit.

As much as I it was nice to see her, there was this awful feeling in the pit of my stomach. I felt guilty. I never kept contact with any of the people I cared about from Florida, shutting them off completely when I moved to Maryland. I must’ve hurt them too and that was mainly why I felt the guilt. I don’t think this feeling will go away for a while.

She bombarded me with the usual questions, asking how I’ve been, how was Maryland, where my mother was, when we arrived, and a whole lot more.

“Are you permanently moving back?” she asked sweetly.

“Yes,” I said. That was the plan.

“Then you should join us for dinner,” she clapped her hands as if it were the most brilliant idea ever. Dinner? At the McDonough’s house? I don’t think I could handle that yet. There was a silence that followed. My silence. She glances at me worriedly, which I saw from the corner of my eye.

“Are the boys home?” I asked nonchalantly, not allowing any emotion to drip off my voice, but she gave me a knowing look, as if we were in a secret together.

“They’re currently on tour,” she replied. “But they’ll be back in a few days time.”

She smiled at me again, thinking I wanted to see her three boys.

If there were anything I really dreaded about coming home, it would be seeing my used-to-be friends again. I know I clearly didn’t show it, but I still cared about them and knowing at the bottom of my heart that they might hate me now, it’s like a stab to my heart.

“Oh I know!” Joan exclaimed excitedly. “We should have the dinner when my boys come back.”

Oh dear. No. Absolutely no. I wanted to scream all my oppositions but of course I wouldn’t do that.  

“Joan, I think it’s –“

“It’s a great idea, isn’t it?” she rambles on excitedly, cutting off my words. “I’ll go tell your mom right now. She’s inside, right?”

I nodded my head in defeat. When Mrs. McDonough puts her mind to it, there’s no stopping her. That dinner was definitely on. Maybe not tonight, but it will happen soon. And I am in no condition to endure such a thing. I think I’d rather throw myself off a cliff at this very moment before it’s too late. And anyway, I couldn’t tell her I didn’t want to have the dinner because I didn’t want to see her sons.  

Before she makes her way to our house, she quickly leans in and places a kiss on my cheek and smiles at me so tenderly, that the pain in my heart throbbed more persistently. “It’s so good to have you back, Audrey,” and with that note, she continues on to our front door.

Knowing Joan was happy to see me, made me feel really happy inside too. Maybe my friends would be all welcoming like her, maybe they’d be glad to see me too. But truth be told, I was in no position to feel so hopeful and expect too highly.

Amongst the surprises that Joan was, I was bewildered as to why she didn’t ask about my hair. I’m sure she was used to this cute, little, innocent girl with the neatly trimmed blond hair that always reached way past her shoulder and spilled onto her back near the waist. Let’s just say I decided a long time ago to go real crazy with my hair, and it sure was hell a lot more different than my previous one.

But even that bewilderment couldn’t make me stop thinking about the boys.

Before I can dwell on the thought fully though, I decided to go upstairs to my room and fix all my stuff as a distraction. But now that I was alone with my thoughts, I fought harder than I ever did to get them away from me. 

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A/N: I'm trying to develop this story nicely so it might be slow on the romantic part. Heck, there might not be much happening for a while but please be patient with me if you're reading this. :) The beginnings are always boring haha. x