HAPPY

HAPPY - 1

Pronunciation: X-xae-lah and A-leh-z-ah

Ions... Years of love. Months of caring treatment from X'zailah's parents have brought her profound bundles of joy that would be almost baffling to others. "Yeah. Just make sure nothing happens to it." Said X'zailah's mother as she pointed in the direction she wanted her daughter to place the plant at.

It was a rose.

A rose X'zailah's mother had received days ago from her 13th anniversary with her Father. X'zailah felt proud of their accomplishments together. How much patience, love, and determination did they have to make it that far with each other? She couldn't fathom this properly because well, she'd never been in a relationship and honestly never actually gave much thought to the prospect of dating. It was a burden she knew she wouldn't be able to handle. 

Teenage drama was certainly a Hell-of-a-ride. She, in particular, wasn't to fond of rides to begin with.

"What do you think about teenage dating, Mom?" X'zailah was curious. She at least wanted to try... kissing someone. What did it feel like?

Her mother put a label on her face, telling us the thoughts she conjured, Fondness. "Well, it's not completely bad." Her mother told her before smiling. "It's like... starting and finishing chewing gum." She frowned at her comparison, "At first, When you put the gum in your mouth, it taste sweet and you feel like you could chew forever and then, It gets stale, hard and tasteless; You end up not wanting it anymore, Almost like a relationship." Her mother gave a warm smile before raising a arched eyebrow. "Are you seeing someone I should know of?" He mother gave a slight chuckle before awaiting X'zailah's answer.

X'zailah gave a confused step forward. "No. It's just I'm amazed at how long you've been with dad and I got kind of curious, I guess." She wavered at the end of her answer. 

"Well, I admire the curious mind. Just don't bring any babies here and we'll be on good terms." Her mom instructed before walking to the kitchen to do handy-work before X'zailah's father shows up. One things for sure, X'zailah really liked the rose. It gives off such a large, vivid aura of love. It made her smile. X'zailah then wondered if she'd be loved as much as the rose expressed.

How much love would her rose behold?

Soon after, she heard her Father enter the vicinity of the living space before giving his wife a Quick peck on the cheek and removing his hat and coat. "Hey, dad." Greeted his daughter as he spun around to notice her bright smile. X'zailah noticed the slight silence, the ominous presence he gave her before smiling and hugging her. 

She shook the suspicions away and hugged him tightly. "How was work?" Asked X'zailah. 

"Same ol', Same ol'. Just doing what's needed of me to keep my job. Wouldn't want to be unemployed, now would I?" He smiled and sat on the couch and watched his wife with adoration. "Dinner's approaching. I can smell it." He observed. 

"Now now, Robert. We don't allow pigs in our house, do we?" She gave a hearty laugh and pointed her porous spoon at him. "That, you're right." He gave a nod before noticing his daughter next to him on the couch. "So dad, How would you feel if brought a baby in here?" She teased. Sadly, her father didn't take it that  way. He frowned and opened his mouth. "Listen here-" 

"Dad, I'm joking! You aren't going old on me are you?" She teased, squinting her eyes as she laughed uncontrollably. Again, her father gave a very chilling look towards her before pulling off the smile that he portrayed earlier. "Phew, You were gonna get it." He laughed mildly before standing in urgency that eliciting nothing from X'zailah because... She's oblivious to a lot.

"I would never. I don't even know if i'm attracted to guys anyway." She admitted truthfully. 

"Good. No baby is fine with me. For now, that is. When you're older, Go right ahead." Her mother laughed, not giving much thought to her daughter being homosexual. Her father gave little comment to that. Instead, he walked through the hallways to their room and shut it.

X'zailah thought it was strange the way he was acting, but maybe it's because of working and stress probably taking it's toll every now and then. 

"So, you're not sure if you like boys, huh?" She smiled. X'zailah couldn't help but smile as well. It was so contagious, she thought. "Yea... I don't look at boys that way. I mean, yea, they're handsome and all but I like smooth, not rough." She smiled, putting emphasis on smooth.

X'zailah frowned internally. What if her parents didn't like the fact she was homosexual? What if they started to dislike and begin to disown her? Her eyes lowered substantially due to this thought. Her heart felt like withering. She didn't want to be looked at with disgust and mortified expressions. She wanted to be seen as someone's possible role model someday.

"Sorry. Um, about being gay, mom." Her voice, almost a whisper. Her eyes, a split second from distraught. She didn't feel as if she was levitating as she usually would. She felt... Hatched, like a egg. She felt she would soon be judged for admitting her sexuality. She didn't want that. Just the mere thought of it made her shudder in fear. Being judged... 

Her mother noticed this urgent, speed of light-like expression her daughter gave and moved to her side. "Honey. Whatever it is that you're feeling, stop it, right now. You being homosexual means absolutely nothing to me. What will shoot my nerves is you telling me you're pregnant at a young age, okay? I will love you till' I die, understand?" Her mother snatching her daughter's motionless body and crushing her with her rose-like love she gave. X'zailah couldn't help it, she smiled. "I love you too, mom."

While this was happening, X'zailah's dad enters and smiles at X'zailah.

"Guess what?" X'zailah soon released her mother before smiling at her father. "What?" Her smile swaying, but never left. He sat down and cleared his throat. "I'm giving you privilege to parties whenever you want. Do anything you want. How about it?" Her dad encouraged. 

To X'zailah, this felt oddly weird and out of nowhere. She came to the conclusion that this was some sort of gimmick. Or at least, there had to be some sort of catch, right? "Hmm. What's the deal, dad?"Her smile widen. "What's the catch?" She pressed. He just gave a shrug. 

"Nothing, sweetie. I think that you've been nothing but outstanding when it comes to academics. I feel as if you should be awarded some way." He answer earnestly. X'zailah again gave thought to this proposal. It would be nice to be able to go anywhere without them disapproving. "Fine. Thanks, dad." She hugged him and turned back to her mother. "Is it alright with you, mom?" She questioned. 

Her mom pondered and smiled. "I don't see why not. Your grades are insane. You have your life in the palm of your hands. I'm proud of you." She watched her daughter in awe as she rubbed her hands from the grease that's accumulated due to her talented cooking skills. She'd forgotten she hugged her daughter earlier and laughed. "Um, honey. You've got grease all over you." Her laughing never ceased. 

X'zailah noticed and laughed along with her but her father watched her discreetly, His face a mix between disgust and disbelief. Quickly, his expression scratched away like sandpaper and laughed along with them. 

"Well, I'll be in my room if you guys need anything." Announced X'zailah as she walked to her room and closed it. 

X'zailah smiled at her mothers words. She didn't have to worry about not being the girl her mother wanted her to be. She would always stand in her rightful place in her mother's heart. But... How did her father feel about it all? He had gave little to no comment about her daughter being homosexual. Did he feel revolted? Disappointed, maybe? She had hoped for the best. She would keep her mind from wondering the cliffs of pessimistic island and cling to the optimistic shores her mind loved to be. But then again, water isn't always calm... shores could be washed away.