Intertwined

Chapter Nine

I arrived in Los Angeles around six in the evening. My mom threw her arms around me and showered me with kisses. My dad messed up my hair and we gave each other a fist bump. When I called them I was coming home, they were worried that something bad had happened. After all, why would I decide to go home on late morning of Friday? I didn't want to tell them about the incident with Amanda. Although they are not the kind of parents who would bring pitchforks to avenge their hurt daughter or even the normal way of avenging, I still didn't want them to worry about me and think that I couldn't do it in San Francisco alone. I hoped whatever evidences of my fight with Amanda had disappeared.

We all got inside our humble home and I was met by the familiar scent of comfort it had always given. My mom baked me my favorite chocolate chip cookie and prepared a sumptuous meal. We all sat down at the dining table and they were both eager to hear my stories of my stay in San Francisco. I told them all the happy parts: the University Week, good grades in almost every work, a wonderful neighbor who became my mother-figure, and friends who never betrayed you.

"Well have you met a guy?" my father winked at me. I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Robert!" said mom.

"C'mon Kym, she's eighteen! She can already handle every man who is attracted to her." I never actually had real boyfriends before, although I did kiss some boys before. So technically I was still a virgin and I would only give it up on the love of my life.

I told my parents, "I actually met a guy. He's my neighbor and a very close...friend." I cringed at the last word. After what Charles did to me, I was not sure if we'd still be friends. I would forgive him if he apologized but trusting him would be difficult again.

"How close are you?" Dad teased.

"Robert!" Mom said as the same time I shouted "Dad!" We were laughing with that awkward moment.

Mom then said, "But did he court you? I mean my baby is pretty so I'd assume he'd be attracted to you." That was ridiculous. After he chose the bitch over me and accused me for starting the fight, I didn't think he liked me let alone be attracted to me.

"Seriously guys? It's like you sent me to San Francisco to find my future husband."

"We kinda..." Mom looked guilty as if she was plotting behind my back.

Dad continued what she said, "Well, we did think that you should have some fun and fall in love." Dad then went closer to hold my hands and said, "Fall in love my dear. Oh wait, rise in love. For love is the powerful force that raises the dead, awakens the soul, and sustains the heart. Go out there and find the man who would give you that right kind of love because you deserve all the goodness that the entire universe could offer." I was touched at what dad said. He then planted a kiss on my forehead. Dad then added by jokingly saying, "Besides, I could use some man in this household. The amount of estrogen could be mind-boggling sometimes." Mom then pinched dad and I just let off a giggle.

Dad then reassured themselves, "You did come home just to visit us right? Nothing bad had happened?"

"Yup!" I kept repeating on my mind to not tell them about Amanda.

"Vivienne?" Dad raised his eyebrows at me and looked straight into my eyes. This was how he'd test if I was lying and it always worked. Always. I groaned.

"Well...err I had a bitch fight with this girl..." I told them about my fight with Amanda and they were all anxious. I also told them about my purpose about that fight but on top of that, I kept on reassuring them that I would be fine because I had REAL friends who would stand by my side.

"Are you sure you'd still want to go back to San Francisco dear? There are also amazing schools here in Los Angeles," mom said with anxiety spread all over her face.

I eased her by teasing, "Mom, you wanted me to find my future husband right?" I remembered that mom and dad found each other in San Francisco. Mom worked at a flower shop and dad happened to buy flowers in the same shop for his girlfriend that time. They connected the moment they interacted, well dad was ordering flowers. Who knew you could relate to someone so much by just ordering flowers? It turned out his girlfriend broke up with him when he gave the flowers and he returned to the shop to return the flowers which was totally stupid because you couldn't give it back once you bought it and the flower had wilted already. He was that bitter and broken. He met mom again and she mended his broken heart and they got married and had the best thing in their lives – me.

Mom laughed at what I said, "And to follow your dreams."

They both kissed me on my forehead. I came to the right place. My parents trusted me that I could continue in San Francisco. It was because I was a survivor and a fighter, just like them.

After I helped mom with the dishes, I head to my room. Oh I missed this place so much. I wrapped around my fluffy blanket but before I decided to sleep, I called Xazelle.

"Oh my god, Vie! Are you okay?" she sounded worried.

"Yes Xazelle. Listen, I am sorry if I had to leave you and Jay."

"It's okay Vie."

"But the show must go on." I swallowed hard and thought of the horrible things that Amanda could do. "I'll call Daniel to help you out." I ended the phone call and texted Daniel. Minutes later, Julia called me. She wanted to know if I was okay and I reassured her that I was. I'd probably go back on Monday so she had nothing to worry about. I was about to close my eyes when my phone rang. Charles decided to finally call me. Nope. No more heartache for tonight.