United

Parent's Day

Today was Saturday. Parents' Day. And for once in all the years I've been here, I'm not going to see my parents.

After I told them to stop worrying about me and live their lives without me, they called me and texted me a few times but I didn't pick up the phone or texted them back. After a while, they gave up. I guess I did my job good. Thinking that they will be safe now, is the only thing that keeps me going. I know I hurt them but that was the only way to keep them safe.

Stella had invited me to join her and her parents for lunch but I turned her down. I couldn't act like everything was fine today. Not on Parents' Day. She understood me and told me she would meet me later.

Everyone outside was having a great time. Seth had a huge party of people setting up a picnic lunch on a large bedspread. They were laughing and joking, and a few younger kids were throwing food at each other. They seemed to be having a great time until a corn-on-the-cob grenade went flying and almost blind-sided Celine, who was walking across the commons. She scowled at Seth as she guided a man who looked old enough to be her grandfather, patting his elbow as they walked toward a row of lawn chairs set up around the open field.

I didn't see Harry and Jasper, and I couldn't picture what either of their families would look like. As angry and embarrassed as I'd been after Harry bailed on me for the second time at the music room, I was still dying to catch a glimpse of anyone related to him. But then, thinking back to Harry's thin file in the archive room, I wondered whether he even kept in touch with anyone from his family.

Colleen swung herself off the top stairs like a gymnast dismounting a parallel bar. She stuck her landing right in front of me.

"Hell0000," she crooned, doing her best crazy girl impression.

"What are you doing, weirdo?" I said, laughing.

"No, what are you doing?" Colleen asked, raising an eyebrow. "You should be with your parents. Where are they? I want to meet them." She turned her head in every direction, trying to find them.

"They're not coming." I said, looking down.

"I'm sorry." She said, putting her hand on my shoulder as she gave me a warm smile. I looked at her and half smiled. Then my eyes drifted to someone who was coming towards us.

"Oh this." Colleen pointed at the tall, hot-pink-headed girl who was slowly picking her way down the stairs, "is my sister, Annabelle."

Annabelle ignored my extended hand and swept me into her open arms for an extended, intimate hug. I could feel our bones crunching together. The intense hug lasted long enough for me to wonder what was up with it, but just as I was starting to feel uncomfortable, Annabelle let me go.

"It's so good to meet you," she said, taking my hand.

"Likewise," I said, giving Colleen a sideways glance.

"Do you want to join us? I'm giving Annabelle a tour and I could use a really good tour guide." Colleen said, winking at me.

"I'll pass."

"You sure?" She asked. I nodded. Colleen ruffled my hair affectionately.

I decided to walk aimlessly through the gardens and then the conservatoire. Maybe this could help me get out of my mind everything that had happened these past few days. I went outside and I felt the sunlight against my pale skin, but I didn't feel much. I'm still numb. I'm just a death girl walking.

"Jasper." I whispered, seeing him far away. Maybe I should go talk with him. No, he's with someone.

Jasper was standing with a tall, dark-haired man in a tailored black business suit. Neither of them noticed my presence. They were talking quietly and gesturing in a very involved manner at the oak tree. Jasper slowly turned his head my way, then back at his companion, who seemed amused. I didn't think the man, with his classic tall, dark, and handsome good looks and huge gold watch, looked old enough to be his father. But maybe he had just aged well. Jasper's eyes skimmed my bare neck, and he seemed briefly disappointed. I looked down, I couldn't hold his gaze.