*****
"Mitchell!"
My head turned towards the front door where my mom was struggling to carry the grocery bags.
I quickly got up and took the bags from her hands. She sighed, breathed out a quiet 'thank you' before cracking her fingers and shaking them out.
I set the bags in the kitchen counter. My mom began unloading the food whilst I went back to the book I was reading, A Fire In The Rose.
"Mitch?" My mom asked, coming over to me and putting her hands on my shoulder as I slouched in my chair.
"Yes, mother?" I asked, turning the page.
She sighed before speaking.
"There's something I need to tell you." I looked up at her before closing my book and turning around on my chair to face her.
"Yeah? What's up?" I asked, resting my arms on the table behind me.
"It's uh...it's about dad. He's getting released today, did you know?" I shrugged slightly and looked down at the floor.
"I mean...I haven't been exactly counting down the days but," I shook my head slightly and sighed, "whatever." I turned back to my book although my eyes couldn't focus on the words.
"Kissyboy? Don't be...scared or anything, okay? He's not allowed to be near any minors so he's...he's gonna live across town. And he's being checked on every other day by his PO and everything is alright, yeah?"
I nodded slightly and soon felt her lips on my cheek, giving me a peck. "No need to worry, all right?"
I nodded and gave her a smile, turning my head and pecking her cheek back. She smiled and ruffled my hair.
I giggled and pushed her hands away.
She got back to unloading and I attempted at getting back to reading, but my book didn't seem to capture me in a different mind state this time.
The though of my...'father' being free and unsupervised.
I shook my head slightly at my own evil thoughts and continued to read, forcing myself to forget the current events.
***
"Morning, Mitch!" Scott greeted, Kirstie smiling widely as I approached them. I gave them a small smile but no verbal reply, of course, they didn't seem to notice my crestfallen attitude, since they just began telling me a story.
I was staring into Kirstie's eyes but I wasn't looking at her. I mean, technically I was, but I felt like I was just out of focus.
"Mitch?" Kirstie snapped in front of my face, causing me to flinch back and shake my head slightly.
"Hi? You with us?" Scott asked sarcastically.
My simply didn't want to keep ignoring it since the news my mom told me that morning kept picking at my brain.
I sighed and said without hesitation, "my dad is getting released from prison today."
Kirstie frowned and quickly leaned forward to give me a hug. I subtly pushed away with a shake if my head.
"No, don't...I just, I don't know...I need to use the toilet, back in a mo." I began walking away until Scott grabbed my wrist, causing me to stop and a small gasp to leave my mouth.
"Mitch, if you want to talk about--"
My eyes widened slightly and I pressed my lips together.
"No! No, I just need the toilet, okay!?" I said loudly, causing a few people around the hall to glance at me.
I rolled my eyes and snatched my hand away from his gentle grip which felt like a handcuff.
I opened my mouth to apologise for lashing out, but I just sighed and walked away.
***
I left school that day.
Instead of going to the bathroom, I decided to just leave all together. I hated the feeling I kept getting when I looked at anyone who nearly resembled him.
