Dude's A Lady?

Chapter Thirty Five

I couldn't sleep.

In less then twenty four hours, I would be touching ground in Illyria. My bags were packed and ready. My gps was set for course. Everything was settled for the holidays.

Except me.

I felt completely terrified. The past few days, I had racked my brain for any excuse not to go. But I came up empty. Trying to stay brave and face my feelings was tiresome.

I was a runner. I had come accept that part of myself. When things were tough, I ran because it was easier. That's just who I was, but even I knew this was one issue I couldn't run from.

"Antoine?" I whispered in the darkness of our room. After awhile, I heard nothing more than his loud snore. He was out like a light.

Staring at my clock, it read that it was well past three o'clock in the morning. Groaning, I sat up and turned on my bedside lamp. I looked around our room, I felt terrified.

I got up and walked over to my closet. Slowly, I opened the door and found Chloe snuggled up in the corner like a puppy. I found myself smiling down at her.

Then I turned to a shelf in the closet. In a small black box, tucked away behind sheets, was something I had sworn I would never venture into again. I opened it up and looked inside then quickly closed it.

I sighed in frustration and looked at it again. Maybe it wasn't the right move. Maybe I should have left that box alone. But I didn't see many options for myself.

So I placed it in my luggage and hoped for the best.

***

"Look what the cat dragged in!" Sawyer yelled from the driveway, as I pulled up. From beside him, mom smacked his head.

I chuckled and clambered out of the car. Sawyer quickly helped me grab my luggage as mom wrapped me up in a hug. I smiled, at ease and held her close.

"I'm so glad you're home. I missed you Vivi." she said before kissing my forehead and untangling herself from me.

"I'm glad you're here." I replied with a smile. "How's the U.S treating you?" I joked.

"I missed home, but Melbourne was beautiful." she admitted, "Maybe after you kids head off to college, I'll think about a residency over there." she mused.

"If you do, maybe taking Sawyer would be a great idea. He loves the tropics." I suggested as Sawyer passed us with my luggage in towe. He stopped short and tripped, sending him face first into the driveway.

"W-what, no!" he cried out, as he dusted himself off.

"Enough kids," mom reprimanded us, "Lets get Vivi unpacked and settled. It's freezing out here." Mom suggested a cold gust of wind hit us. No one objected and we quickly shuffled inside.

Sawyer carried my bags to my room and left, leaving the hard labor to mom and I. We didn't mind much, it gave us time to ourselves.

"How's school going? How are your friends?" she asked, rearranging my clothes neatly on my bed.

"Still complete loons." I scoffed, as the last time my mother had seen them we were all fighting for our lives. "School is pretty much lackluster. I just finished my winter final with a new design for a winter wonderland look."

"I don't say it often sweetie," Mom smiled warmly, "but I am incredibly proud of you."

"Thanks mom, I'm proud of you too." I smiled, wrapping an arm around her.

"For what?" she furrowed her brows in confusion.

"For giving birth to a legend...I'm talking about me just so we're clear."