To The Sun And Beyond

22. SQUABBLING

TALKING TO MASON WAS BEYOND
Easy. He was excellent at having funny conversations, but equally so with deep ones. Every time he laughed at my lame jokes, a little part of my heart began to melt.

It was like we were the only two people in the world. There was never silence, and the conversation didn't stop being amazing for one second.

I told Mason everything, and he told me about the people in his family, including his three "sisters". He told me about his separation from his younger twin brother and sister. He told me of the past families he lived with, and how, in the end, they didn't want him.

He gave me his outlook on the supernova, and how it fit well with his philosophy.

He had such a unique outlook on the world, and such a big heart. I'd often have to snap back to reality, only to fall back into this world we'd created.

"...And that's how I feel about cheese." Mason concluded after a long conversation about food.

We laughed together for a quick moment, -my occasional snorting kept the laughter coming- until we rounded the cornor and saw the ugly yellow house.

"This is it," I commented. "Home sweet home."

Mason gasped. "It's... great..." He trailed off.

"I know it's the ugliest house you've ever seen." I added, turning my body to face him.

"Oh, it is," Mason agreed.

I laughed a little, and sighed. "This has been great. But I need to go before Vivian sees and gets ideas. I'll see you tomorrow."

I let go of Mason's hand, and he gave me the largest puppy dog eyes I had ever seen.

"I'm sorry, Mason-" I began to say before Mason quickly pulled me into a tight hug.

"Bye, Sunspot. Thanks for listening."

"You're welcome." I responded, and felt my cheeks get hot.

He released, and I waved as I jogged up the lawn and opened the door.

Vivian was waiting, just as I had suspected.

"Who was that boy?" Vivian asked, raising an eyebrow at me.

"It's nothing, really. And, sorry I'm late... I walked a little slower this time." it wasn't a lie, i did walk slower, but Vivian was smart enough to know that wasn't the entire story.

Vivian raised an eyebrow at me. "That boy better not be the reason you're late."

"Leave Mason out of this." I snapped, causing Vivian to glare.

"Sometimes I wonder about you. You're always so... unstable. Makes me question weather you and your brother are a blessing or a curse," Vivian commented, causing my jaw to tighten.

"What?" I asked her, feeling my blood begin to boil.

"Oh, it's nothing, it's just you and your brother can be rather useless at times." Vivian answered, tapping her finger on her chin, avoiding eye contact.

"My brother is not useless," I mumbled, and Vivian turned her head toward me, about to say something, but I quickly sprinted past her, making my way up the staircase.

"Celeste!" Vivian called from behind me, but I ignored her, gliding up the staircase in swift bounds. "Celeste get down here this instant! As your mother I demand-"

"You're not my mother!" I screamed, stopping halfway up the staircase. "You will never be my mother. You're just here to make sure I don't screw up!" I screamed back at her, sprinting up the staircase and into my room.

"Celeste!" I heard Vivian call, but I was already slamming the door to my room, locking myself away from the world, wishing I was back in the world Mason and I created.

I heard Vivian march out the front door, probably trying to calm herself from our arguement.

I sighed, slid to the floor, and stared at the ceiling.

I hate Vivian.

I hate my new sisters.

I hate this house.

I hate this room.

I hate my school,

And I hate my parents.

Why did they assign someone as bad as Vivian to take care of me? What could I have possibly done to my parents?

My fist slammed into the floorboards, and I shrieked when I remembered I didn't have superhuman pain tolorance.

I examined my fist, my knuckles red with blood. That's gonna leave a mark.

If only I had my necklace...

It was then that I got up quickly, and glanced out my window to see Vivian still standing in the yard, covering her face with her hands, letting out silent sobs. I immediately felt guilty. I shook away the thought, and glided down the hall into Vivian's room.

I ran to the drawer I saw her put my necklace in the first time I snuck in here, and sifted through the random contents.

My face lit up and relief washed through my body, causing me to let out a sigh and pick up my amulet at the bottom of the drawer.

I slid the drawer shut quietly, and bounded out of the room, returning to the safety and tranquility of my room.

When I had closed the door, I opened my palm to see my beautiful amulet glistening in the light. A smile formed on my face as I put it on, and it glowed in response to the reunion.

"Hey there, old friend," I greeted, stroking the stone with my right hand.

But I winced when my knuckles burned at the movement, and I quickly bounded downstairs to the kitchen to heal the pain.