Hybrid

SEVENTEEN

⫷ ARIA ⫸

The low static from the radio irritated me, but I chose to ignore it. My father had his hands wrapped around the steering wheel so tight that his skin turned ghostly white.

My hands rested still on my lap. I'd been fidgeting for the entire ride, simply unable to put my mind at ease. Giving into my dangerous curiosity, I peeked over at the grimness in his eyes. "Daddy, where did mommy go?"

My mother had been gone for a week when she had told me she'd only be gone for a few days. As time went along, she did not come back. It worried me.

"Business trip," he claimed.

A frown formed on my lips. "She's going to miss my dance recital."

"I'll take a video."

The two of us drove home after my day at school and his at work. They never really talked about work; I barely knew what it was they did.

I started jumping in my seat at the sight of my mother's car parked in the lot. Dad came to a stop as I burst out, ignoring his calls, and sprinted toward the doors. I ran inside and spun around in circles.

"Mommy?" I yelled out. "Mommy?"

There was a crashing sound coming from upstairs; shattered glass tumbled down the steps. I was about to head upstairs, but a grip on my shoulder stopped me.

"Just give her some time to... settle in. Okay?"

"What's wrong with her?" I whispered.

My father gave me a tight smile. "She must have had a hard time on her trip. Give her some space. Got it?"

I nodded once as my father led me back outside, into the truck again. I watched the house get smaller as we drove away. He dropped me off at Charles' house after calling them for permission. I stayed there for the night, and was picked up by my smiling mother in the morning.

"Hi, sweetie. How was your week?" She asked me once I slid into the passenger seat.

"Good. Where were you?"

Her smile changed into a forced one. "What matters is that I'm home now."

I paused. "Are you okay?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

"I heard a crashing when we got home last night."

I noticed my mother's jaw tighten. She pulled on another fake smile for me. "I probably just dropped something. You have nothing to worry about, Aria."

⫷⫸

"You do zone out a lot, did you know that?" Carlos' voice snaps me back to reality. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't. I need someone to talk to on this long trip."

I heave a sigh. "Sorry."

"So? How many times has James called? I've lost count about an hour ago."

I glance down at my phone. "Twenty-three," I mumble. "When can I tell him where I am?"

Carlos glances at the GPS on his dashboard. "We're quite far away by now. Call him, if you want."

Shrugging, I do just that. James' hospitality and genuine kindness have me feeling obligated to tell him. Well, among other things, but I'll keep those locked away in the back of my mind, for now.

"Aria?" The worry in his tone causes the guilt to swell. "Where are you? Are you okay?"

"I'm..." I glance at a smirking Carlos. "On the road."