How the Truth Was Told

Chapter One

I stare at the crowd as my diploma is handed to me. I smile when I watch Layana sigh and lean back. She’s never liked ceremonies and stuff where she has to sit still. Layana is the most hyper person I know. She doesn’t enjoy moments of quietness and that’s what makes her. Layton, on the other hand, isn’t so hyper but is still hyper. Layton only being seven has already started on Dimensional Travel. She’s been doing it for a year now and has gotten pretty good with moving short distances. I notice that she’s sitting on dad’s lap practically asleep while dad is smiling. 

I’m just glad that we are all taught since before we could talk that we couldn’t use our powers in the eyes of the public. It was drilled that the IES is still out there looking for people like us to experiment on. Luckily though dad created a way to hide our activity behind a device, so they can’t detect us using our abilities anymore. But if the public eye so happens to see us use them then we know that they would be on our asses in a matter of minutes. 

It’s been eight years since my mom told me and Layana the story of her and Grygh. I still can’t imagine her with anyone but dad. Sure I’m a DC like my mom and dad. But they thought it was better to grow up on earth like my mom. I’ve become good at using my abilities but I can’t use them often. 

My mom smiled brightly at me when I look over at her. The principal finishes saying his things and I walk off the stage back to my seat. I sigh in relief when I sit down in the comfort of a chair. I’m no longer in the spotlight. I watch as the rest of the people are called up. 

My mind begins to wander once they reach Rs. Mom and dad barely knew each other when I was born. I don’t see how he is my father. There’s also the possibility that Grygh’s my dad, but if so that means mom lied to me all these years. All these years I’ve been getting told that Hayden is my dad. 

I remember when I was younger that mom went to Grygh’s grave every year. I never saw why she did. Sure I knew that she was in love with him but she has dad now. Dad stayed with her through the pain and hurt of her losing him. Dad has always been there for her. I remember the days when mom was staying in bed because of Layana. 

I snap out of my thoughts when a weight is placed on my lap. I look up to see Layton there. “Landie, the ceremony is over let’s go,” she grumbles tapping her foot on the ground. Mom and dad get over here with Layana and smile at Layton’s complaints. 

“Layton, it’s just a few hours you’ve been stuck here,” Dad informs, “Plus your brother might want to go hang out with his friends. His party doesn’t start for another few hours anyway.” 

Just as dad finishes saying that Cooper walks over. “Come on the gang is about to head out to Alice’s Diner,” Cooper jokes, “Unless you want Jason trying to impress Haylee, again.”

I pick Layton up off my lap and stand up. “Haylee despises Jason,” I come back, “Plus I planned on coming anyways. Here soon we aren’t all going to be able to do this.”

“Well I’m not the one that decided against college, Cooper responds, “I at least am going. While your idiot ass is not.”

Layana and Layton laugh watching me and Cooper argue. I can’t help but think of how mom was protected by her brother’s friends. I know that Cooper sees Layana and Layton as his little sisters and they both hate it. It makes it all the better to watch them argue. “Landyn, go with your friends,” Mom says smiling, “Here soon you won’t be able to do that.”

The whole reason I decided against college was that I decided years ago that I want to join DHA. Which in turn means I need to go get a degree over there. I’m hoping to join the Earth branch to be near my family and friends. Plus it’s not like I won’t know anyone on the Earth branch. Mom is the one that runs it.