Katana's Revenge

Going Home

Song: Real Friends by Camila Cabello

I was so glad to get my cast off. You wouldn't believe how amazing it felt. It feels so great not having to walk around with the stupid crutches. Raine and I have gotten closer. He is been like so sweet to me. If I'm not in my room I am with him. We eat every meal together, go to classes together and hang out all afternoon.

"I want you to come with me when we get out of here," he says while we are outside walking today.

"Go where?"

"Anywhere, I just want to be with you " he says as he helps me to sit down beside him on the ground. I watch as he picks up one of the rocks beside him and throws it out into the river.

"I was thinking about going to college when I get out of here. I guess we could move in together. Not sure how my dad will take it though."

"We don't have to tell him right away. I could find a job and help out with the rent and other stuff." I lean back against his chest. He wraps his arms around me and grabs my hand into his. I think it would be great to have this feeling like this forever. I so want many more of these days with him like this.

Right before I get released from the facility I take my GED...I pass with flying colors. I have applied to several colleges and just hope that one will accept me. In the mean time I am going back home to live with my dad.

We have talked about me moving away to college. At first he wasn't so happy about it but he knows that it will be best for me. I want to make something out of myself and I want to move to another city, maybe even another state. I just don't want to be in my hometown. I don't feel like seeing those that I had went to school with or think about those that had died that day.

Raine was really upset because he had wanted me to wait for him to get out. However I kept reminding him that he will be out soon and then we would be back together in no time. While at home all I do is stay in my room. I mean I come out and help around the house but mostly I just stay in my room. I hate going into town and seeing people so I stay home. I wait for his phone calls to me because there is nothing I want more than hearing his voice.

"Hey...how are you doing on the outside?"

"Alright I guess; when are you getting out?"

"Actually, tomorrow."

"Really, I'm so happy for you. I can't wait to see you."

"I can't wait to see you. You sure your dad will be alright if I swing by to see you?"

"You sure you want to meet up with my dad," I laugh.

"So...guess what?"

"What?"

"I got in to a few colleges. I just have to decide which one I really want."

"Congrats, babe I knew you could do it."

"Thanks so are you sure you still want to live with me?"

"Of course. I will have to look for a job so let me know as soon as you decide where to go."

"I will so I will see you tomorrow right?"

"Yes, I will be there. I so can't wait to see you. I love you."

"Love you too."

There is a light knock at my bedroom door. Then my dad walks in. "Hey kido you want to go get a bite to eat tonight?"

I sigh, "Can we just stay home?" I hate this small town. Everyone knows everyone's business and I hate bumping into old friends.

"We don't have anything to eat here. Come on you need to be get out anyway."

We go to a small café and get a seat in a booth. When the waitress comes over I hear a squeal. "Oh my God...Ana...it's really you...Oh! I haven't seen you in like forever."

I look up and Bethany is looking right back at me.

"Oh, hi Bethany. How have you been doing?" I glance up at her and look down at the menu, hoping she might get the hint. I really don't care to talk to her. We haven't talked in months why bother now.

"Making it. Working trying to save money for the community college. You know how that is." I just look back at my dad and then back up to her, hoping she will just move along however that doesn't happen. "So...it's been like forever. Where have you been?"

"Here and there. I'm just home for a little while visiting before going to college myself." I have no reason why to tell her that I was in a mental facility. After she takes our order she leaves the table and I watch as she walks off. It wouldn't surprise me if she messages everyone that I'm here.

I look back up at my dad. "See, this is why I don't want to go out. Dad I don't want to have to explain to people where I have been."

"So don't, no one needs to know anyhow it's no one's business."

"Yeah sure, you make it sound so simple. In this freaking small town everyone knows everything within seconds. I guarantee you that she is going back there and texting everyone that I'm back."

He smirks, "Sorry that's what happens in small towns like these. So you decide which college you want to go to?"

"I'm thinking between two. I narrowed it down, I think." I wrinkle up my nose at him with a slight smile.

Bethany comes back over with our drinks. She gives me a fake smile. I know she wants to talk to me but she looks over at my dad and then walks away.

"So I was thinking...NYU or I could stay closer to home like...Atlanta."

"Neither of them are that close to home." He shakes his head. "Why do you want to go out of state; we have a lot of good schools here you know."

"Dad...I know. I just, I just want to try to do this on my own, you know."

"How are you going to be able to afford it? I'm not rich you know."

"I know, I hope to find a job and help pay for things. Hopefully apply for grants, scholarships, get a loan, maybe get a roommate."

"A roommate! You can't just trust anyone you know?" He sits his glass back down on the table and looks right at me.

"Dad, I know. It's not like I'm just going to let a stranger move in with me."

"So you have someone already in mind?"

Bethany comes back over with our food and interrupts us again. I wait for her to leave.

"Well...actually I was going to have a friend move in with me."

"Oh! Who is this friend?"

"ReAnn...Dad you will like her. She is really nice and is looking to go to college to. She was looking for a place and we thought it would be kinda cool living together."

"I don't know about this."

"Dad it will be fine." I watch his facial expression as he takes a bite of his burger.

"Ok, how about if I go to Atlanta and then it's only like two hours away and you could visit. I could still come home more often as well. Would that make you feel better?"

"What would make me feel better is if you just went to a community college close to here and you could just live at home, then you wouldn't need a roommate."

"Dad!"

"I know...I know. I got to let you move on with your life. I can't help it if I worry about you."

Honestly it doesn't matter where I live, even if I am home he will still worry about me driving back and forth to school. I don't have the heart to tell him that Raine will be living with me...god forbid he would probably lock me up in my own room. I smile back at him and watch him finish his meal. It really does feel good knowing that he loves me that much.