Status Quo | ✓

-8-

Switching my phone back on again, my phone was flooded with missed calls, voice messages and unread texts. Worst of all, most of them were from Leon. I knew that I would've to deal with everything at some point, but the unsettling feeling was haunting.

I cleared all the floating notifications and dialled Mom's number. As usual, she picked up the call almost immediately. Her excited high-pitched squeal sounded from the other end, "Sweetie, I'm at the airport! You'll see me once you exit through the gates!"

"Let me grab Cotton and I'll be out," I replied, with a sudden lump of sadness cracking my voice as I continued, "I missed you, Mom"

"Just so you know, I've never gone one day without missing my baby girl."

That had to be the magic of mothers. Mom didn't even have to wrap her arms around me, and I could already feel her love from all the words she said to me. Ending the call, I went to pick Cotton up and walked out of the gates. The poor little thing looked so tired from the flight and I couldn't wait to reach the car so that I could let him out of the carrier. As per said, I saw Mom waving excitedly at me the moment I left through the arrival gates.

I used to think that Mom's overly enthusiastic personality was kind of embarrassing, but I came to realise that this was the thing I loved about her — she wouldn't be her if she didn't squeal or jump over the littlest things. Back then I was a little too young, but I knew that Mom struggled when she separated from Dad and moved us to another state to start everything anew. I always admired how Mom remained her bubbly and affectionate self despite all the things that was weighing her down. I wished I was that resilient, rather than the moping mess who chose to escape from everything that was too daunting.

"Sweetie, you've lost weight," Mom complained as her hands molested me all over.

"I did?" I laughed, holding onto her to stop her wandering hands. "That means I'm ready for Christmas!"

"Aren't you always ready for Christmas?" Mom chuckled and held me in her embrace. When she secured me within her warmth, I swore I nearly cried. Starting a new life in a new state and new city all by myself had been stressful and infuriating, moreover, with everything that had happened recently, I was just happy to be back home and be hidden within this bubble of comfort and security.

-

When we reached home, Mom helped me with the luggage, and I carried Cotton in my arm. She left both of us in my room and went ahead to prepare dinner downstairs. I swung my bag on the floor and placed Cotton down. The cat curved his back to stretch while purring softly, staring at me with his bright blue eyes before lowering his head to lick his own paw. I patted softly on his body and smoothed a hand through his fur, leaving him to play on his own.

Plopping down on my bed, I took out my phone and scrolled through my inbox to see the numerous texts that I had chosen to ignore.

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