The Homecoming

Chapter 1

The machine beeps. 'Take a right turn and drive straight for ..'

Soft blue hues emit from the navigation screen that displayed the GPS. They light up the black interior of the car, the morning light obscured by its tinted windows. Calm hangs in the air; the light fragrance of red roses mixes with the chill of the air conditioner and smell of cigarettes.

He had always loved this smell. Roses. Red ones.

One of his hands guides the steering wheel, while the right one rests leisurely over the gearstick, changing routes occasionally. A pale green metal band glints on his thumb, the colour a stark contrast to his caramel complexion.

The navigator halts its beeping, and a ringing silence engulfs the calm.

His eyes flick to the screen to check the time. 3:32 PM, it reads.

He mentally goes through his schedule and the current mission and decides that he can make some time to attend the ceremony. If the target isn't too far from the area where the ceremony will take place, that is. He will not afford to be late.

Making up his mind, he makes a few quick taps on the screen and the paced beeps of the navigator resound once more.

'Oakwood Banquet: Drive straight for 100 meters, and take a left turn at the next intersection...'

He maneuvers the car on a now familiar path. With his elbow resting on the window and his fingers tapping a mindless rhythm, he lets his mind wander to what awaits him.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•

"...Do you, Elise Jones, take a Grayson as your husband and promise to love and support him and to stand by his side during tough times?"

"I do."

He watched the bride and groom say their vows, with a smile on his face. Callister's mother was naturally a blithe person, there was always a warm smile on her face. But right now, as she said her vows, she was practically beaming. Callister couldn't remember the last time he saw his mother smile wholeheartedly.

It was probably before his own father left them to strive for themselves. Elise was deeply heartbroken yet stood strong for her only son. Callister tried his best to not put any burden on her by getting good grades and picking up shifts at the nearby store after school.

Callister sighed in relief and let his eyes wander around the Great Hall. Everyone was deeply indulged in watching the couple saying their vows, including his only Step sister, Karla Grayson, who was wearing a light pink floor-length gown with silver hemming.

Karla had light brown hair with striking gray eyes. Her facial features were slightly masculine, with high cheekbones, a straight nose, and hollowed cheeks. She definitely resembled her father.

Callister had observed the seventeen-year-old during the meet-and-greet dinner, looking for any type of attitude but grateful to find none, unlike most of the girl population at his school.

Karla was quite reserved and mostly kept to herself. She'd be continuing her studies in the same school as him. She was planning to major in Chemistry ahead as she was genuinely interested in the subject. Karla didn't say much about herself then. She seemed like the type who wouldn't mind being a loner but would actually prefer it, like someone who would enjoy their own company and spend their leisure hours reading a book or sketching, instead of going out or exploring malls.

Callister was shaken out of his reverie when he heard a familiar voice call out to him. He looked up to find his mom waving him over to her, probably wanting to introduce him to someone. He mentally groaned but kept his expression pleasant. Meaningless socializing ranked in the top five of the things he loathed with a passion. but it was Elise's big day, and he rather liked the carefree smile on his mother's face.