Pieces [Wattpad's Editor's Choice]

42: sOfT tIsSuE

I thought our family reunion would be the same as usual: sit around a dinner table, stare at each other awkwardly, and force small talk. Instead, it went something like this:

1) Dad peer-pressuring us to do shots of apple-cider vinegar (because sometime the past couple months, he decided he wanted to be a bodybuilder and said apple-cider vinegar was the way).

2) Phil taking one for the team because he'd "taken much worse when he was fourteen."

3) Mom sipping Moscato and laughing when Phil almost puked in the sink.

4) Me watching and working on a second cup of coffee.

They acted like things were normal and nothing had changed, as expected. I didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing, but it felt good to laugh and not worry about anything else, even though several thoughts hammered at the front of my skull. Like:

1) Were Luna and Isaac together? Neither came out when Phil shouted we were leaving.

2) Arrow stayed on campus. For what? For once, we were miles apart and he wasn't my responsibility anymore.

3) Should Mom and Dad know about Arrow?

4) What the hell did I get on my midterms?

Mom and Dad's next ice-breaker activity was Cards Against Humanity (perfect family fun!). Part of this visit felt like they were overcompensating for something, but was that necessarily a bad thing? For once, we all hung out together and laughed.

I watched Mom argue over a card, dark brown hair pulled into a low bun and her cheeks red from alcohol she shouldn't have been drinking because she was slightly allergic. My mom had the best smile and most embarrassing laugh, but it was heartwarming to be around. I looked over at my dad with his curly hair and full beard. He looked a lot like Bob Ross, only wasn't artistically talented. He leaned over the table, contemplating the cards in his hands, an amused grin on his face.

It was an interesting dynamic. My parents were still together, but when Phil dropped out, my dad started working more and sleeping on the couch.

I took this opportunity to check my phone. Luna texted me on the plane, yet I hadn't read it. My mind kept wandering to clouds that weren't even on this planet.

I hid my phone under the table and kept the brightness low. And...oh.

The text was a novel. Luna never sent those.

Luna: hey. I thought about what you said & you're right in a lot of ways. Isaac is a good person and he's been such a good friend to you, especially the times I wasn't. You know I haven't always made the best choices (then again, neither have you), but I was ridiculously immature freshman year & I did Isaac wrong. Now I'm doing it to Tyrell. I don't respect their feelings because mine were never respected before. But they deserve better.

Isaac said we can put freshman year behind us and start over. Can you believe that? He texted me this even before the party, so it's not because of what happened with Tyrell.

I'm sorry, Frannie. And this should be a phone call, but I don't wanna disturb time with your fam.

See you soon. xoxo.

I reread the text over and over, internalizing her words. This text should've made me feel better, but instead I felt sorta sick. I wanted to call her. I wanted to fly back to Arizona to see if she actually went home-or if she was with Isaac. What did any of this mean? Last time we were apart, I got a note and money for pizza. This time, I get a text and no phone call.