Aberration

Chapter 44

My mom came home two days later. It was odd to be going back to my own house and not the flat. But it was where I needed to be right now. Nonetheless I was ecstatic when Lauren dropped me off at the house. I sprinted inside, swinging open the front door so it hit the wall and was sure to leave a dent. But neither my mom or I seemed to care as I jumped into her arms with a squeal. Our laughs of joy echoed through the house as she held me by my shoulders to take a look at me. She seemed to glow and her smile was the happiest I've ever seen on her. I immediately knew there was something else going on, but I would ask about that later. We continued to laugh, taking each other in. 

"Oh Ava," she whispered examining me up and down, her hands rubbing my shoulders lovingly. "You look so grown up."

"It's only been a little over a month mom." I laugh, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear.

She takes her hands from my arms, clasping them together. "Oh I know...I missed you so much, it feels like it's been years."

I nod my head in agreement. I've thought the very same thing multiple times. I'm not used to being away from her so long. And seeing her makes that empty spot in my heart whole and warm again. "I missed you too." I smile, engulfing her in a tight hug once more.

"Anything else I can get for you ladies?"

My mom thanked the waiter, waving him off as he set the last plate of food down. We decided to go out tonight. To "celebrate" as my mom said as she forced me to go get ready. I had put up a fight at the first mention of leaving the house, but she wasn't having it. "We have a lot to talk about and this would be perfect" she had said before shooing me into the shower. As much as I hate to say it, I was kind of thankful she pushed me to get out. Besides school, I hadn't gone out of the flat at all for a few days. I had spent most of the time in my room with the door closed and locked. 

I took a bite of a french fry, looking around the restaurant. We had gone to a local diner and it was surprisingly busy. My first concern was seeing someone from school, but after looking around the place I realized this wasn't really the ideal hangout for kids my age. It was small, run down and more vintage for any of the kids at my school's taste. I began to grow anxious, my fingers tapping on the table and my lip in between my teeth, tearing into the already sensitive flesh.

"Ava," my mom said loudly, putting a hand over my hand. "Calm down."

I sighed, forcing a smile and placing my hands in my lap. "Sorry."

She looked at me hard, "Something's wrong, what have I missed?" she continued when I failed to respond, squeezing my hand. "Come on, I can handle it. Inform your momma."

I raised my eyebrows at her, a smile playing off my lips as she giggled at herself. Looking around the restaurant once more, I forced myself to relax. This is good. This is nice. I'm back with my mom, we're out at dinner, everything's okay. I focused back on her, examining her waiting expression before sighing and gathering my thoughts.

"Well?" she pushed after a minute of silence.

"Okay," I heaved.

She sat quietly, taking my story in. At the first mention of Harry she didn't seem too taken back, but as I went more in depth with what happened that evening, her eyebrows grew more and more furrowed. I didn't blame her. The memory was still fresh in my mind despite a few days time. The images mostly came at night, while I was lying in bed alone. I hadn't slept in his room the nights that followed. To be honest, I was scared to. Whatever happened to make him crack like he did that night, I didn't wanna be there when or if it happens again.

"Wow." was all she said after a while. Wow was right. That word summed it up quite nicely. I decided not to continue talking about it, that seemed enough for one night. And it seemed my mom agreed as she returned to her normal expression. "So what about you?" I asked, sipping my drink. "Why're you all giggly all of the sudden?"