The Storm Herald Series {#Wattys2018}

1.4

I knock on the door, not really expecting it to open. But it does, revealing my mom's face, which breaks into a grin.

"I was wondering if you were going to come by," she teases. "Come in, come in." I follow her in, and we go into the kitchen, where she has a cup of tea resting.

"I was actually a bit surprised when you told me you were staying at the Kent's," she tells me, as we both sit. "But then I remembered how much you liked their boy." I give a small laugh,"Mom, it was just a highschool relationship, nothing else."

"A highschool relationship that started with you crushing on him in primary and secondary school," she says. "I remember it was 'Clark this' and 'Clark that' all the time." My face is red by this point,"you're lucky he's not here right now." At this, my mom laughs, her laughter soon becoming contagious.

"There's never a serious moment around you," I laugh. She looks at me, pursed lips,"there is, too. You sometimes just don't see them." I bite my lip, looking down. Did I hurt her feelings? Did I make her mad? There's a silence, one that always seems to seems to follow after I say something that I shouldn't have said.

"Why don't we go sit on the porch?" she finally suggests, patting my hand. I nod,"yeah. Let's go do that." We both get up, and go out to the porch, my mom sitting on the porch swing, me leaning against the balcony.

"So you're a part time reporter?" she asks. I nod,"I work at the Daily Planet Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, then at the museum Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday."

"So you're pretty busy," she deduces.

"Yeah, I am," I sigh. "But I still go to church on Sundays." A glint of happiness appears in my mom's eyes,"that's because I raised you right." I smile at her words,"of course, you did. I'll always be the little girl you raised."

"Not always," she sighs. "You're so grown up now, it makes me sad." I look down, wanting to change the subject,"where's Jason?"

"Los Angeles," comes her quick reply. "He's filming a movie, apparently." I raise an eyebrow,"oh, is he now?" She nods,"he is."

"Interesting. . ." I comment, laughing a little. My mom sighs, looking around,"Mackenzie, there's something I need to tell you."

"What is it?" I ask. She gives another sigh,"your dad, he's-" She's cut off by the sound of her phone ringing.

"Poppycock and bull," she mutters, picking it up. "Hello?" While she's on the phone, I check the time, and see that I have to go. I wait for her to get off the phone, so I can say goodbye. She eventually hangs up, and smiles at me.

"Sorry about that," she apologizes. I shake my head,"it's fine, don't worry." She smiles in relief,"alright."

"I have to go. Um, Martha, she needs my help with dinner," I tell her. My mom nods,"alright. Have fun. And make sure you visit again. It can get lonely." I nod, chuckling,"don't worry. I'll come visit."

***

I stare into the flames of the bonfire in front of me, lost in my thoughts. Dusty lays at my feet, his pink tongue lolling out of his mouth.

"I'm gonna go get some stuff for s'mores," Martha announces, standing. "John, could you go get the marshmallow sticks?" I watch John stand, too,"yeah. We'll be right back." This last part is directed to Clark and I, and I watch as they both head towards the house, leaving us alone. I glance over at Clark, a small, nervous smile on my face.

"So. . ." I mumble, awkwardly. Great. Just great. Clark chuckles, readjusting his hat.

"How did your visit with your mom go?" he asks.

"Great," I tell him. "We talked for a while, and it was just really nice."

"That does sound nice," he smiles. He moves to sit next to me, making me thankful for the dark cover, because of the blush that races onto my face.

"Do you think. . . ?" he mumbles, but I can't understand the last half of his question.

"What was that?" I ask. He takes my chin in one of his hands, tilting my face up. My grey orbs meet his cerulean ones, making the blush deepen.

No, don't kiss me, don't kiss me, I beg in my mind. Please. Don't kiss me.

But he does kiss me. It doesn't catch me off guard, but at the same time it does. An animalistic noise escapes from the back of my throat, my hands curling against his chest. The kiss lasts for a few minutes, until I finally pull away. My breathing is heavy, as I stare at him.

"C-Clark," I stammer. "Why?"

"I love you, remember?" he says, putting a hand on my cheek. I lean against his hand, smiling,"I do remember. I love you, too." He places a soft peck on the corner of my mouth, before smiling at me.

"And you said that there was nothing between them, John," I hear Martha's voice chirp. I turn around in a flash, my face bright red, the embarrassment of being caught by his parents being what makes me flush.

I can hear John sigh deeply, making Martha scoff.

"Least they're not sleeping with each other."