Uncoordinated Paths

Chapter 3

Michael stayed afterschool for wrestling practice. Julian brought us home together. Parking the car out in the driveway, I got out, while he stayed inside, putting his some of his belongings in the glove compartment. He handed me the keys to the house, and I walked in, seeing 2 adults sitting at the kitchen table, with food in front of them. They looked at me confused, as I settled my bags on the floor.

Man: Hello there....

Woman: Can I ask why you are here?

I opened my mouth, just as Julian entered behind me and shut the door, looking at both his parents.

Julian: This is Cecily. She's gonna be staying with us for awhile

Dad: Oh really, why?

Julian: She's ...a transfer student.

Mom: Oh, that's nice. Where are you from?

Cecily: Uh...California

I made up a quick lie. I owe Julian for covering for me. He patted my back and ran upstairs. I ran up with him, but to the guest room, which was now my room.

My suitcase was still lying there, wide open, with my clothes and the rest of my belongings still in there. And I still had more back at home. Thank God I knew my parents working hours, otherwise I'd get caught.

I folded my arms and stared at the giant wardrobe, wondering how my clothes were gonna fit inside. Julian passed down the hall and stopped when he saw me.

Julian: Need help?

Cecily: Michael said he was gonna help me put this stuff away, but he's not here

Julian: I can help

Cecily: No, I'm not gonna put it away now. Besides, I need to pick up the rest of my stuff at my house

I could put it away now, but I honestly wanted Michael helping me. I wanted to catch up with him, have alone time with him. I never knew Julian that well anyway, he always acted too cool for me.

Julian: Need a ride?

I accepted the offer, since I knew Michael wouldn't come back for a while.

It took approximately 10 minutes to get to my house. I still had my keys. Opening the door, I walked past the stairs and to the hallway, seeing if the house was still the same since my disappearance.

Julian: Is it okay if I come in?

Cecily: You accepted me into your house right? *laughs* Come on in.

He shut the door behind him and followed behind me.

Cecily: Be right back.

I ran upstairs to my room, getting the rest of my hidden boxes. Julian sat in the living room and waited from.

Coming back downstairs, Julian had a stack of papers in his hands. He looked up at me and stood up.

Julian: These were on the coffee table

I took the stacks of papers from him and looked at them. They had my face on them, and it was entitled 'MISSING CHILD'. It had my physical description and the last date I was seen. I took these papers and packed them in the boxes.

Cecily: Nobody needs to see this, ESPECIALLY around here. Take the laptop

Julian: What? I'm not-

Cecily: TAKE THE DAMN LAPTOP

He took the charger and the laptop and we both walked out the house and into the car. We drove off and I stared at the missing child papers in my hands. Julian looked over at me every now and them, concerned.

Julian: You okay?

Cecily: Huh? Yeah, I'm fine...

My hand rested near the gear shift. I felt a something soft suddenly in my grasp. Looking down, it was Julian's hand. I looked at him, confused.

Julian: You're not fine. Just letting you know I'm here.

I looked back down and slowly released my hand from his grasp. He looked at his lonely hand, and put it back on the steering wheel. The rest of the ride was silent. We got back to his house and I went upstairs, collapsing on the bed.

I had to clear my mind. These papers really had me thinking. If they were printed again, I couldn't be seen anywhere, otherwise I'd be reported. I turned on my mom's computer, the password obviously being her husband's name. I looked through the files, seeing the missing child papers. I deleted them all.

My eyes grew heavy. I yawned every now and then. Turning off the laptop, I shut it, laid myself down and pulled the blanket over me.

***

I heard music through headphones and humming. I opened my eyes, confused. For some reason I forgot where I was. I guess I still hadn't been used to the sudden change in my life. I sat up in my bed to see Michael already folding and putting my clothes in the drawers.

Cecily: You didn't have to do this

Michael: Nah it's good. I wanted to.

I sat in the bed playing with my fingers. I didn't know what to do. He finished my first two suitcases and bags, and walked over to my box. He stopped, taking out a stack of papers, the 'MISSING CHILD' papers.

Michael: Where'd you find these?

Cecily: Over at my mom's house

Michael: Have they been sent out yet

I shrugged my shoulders. He walked over and sat on the bed with me.

Michael: If they have then...you can't be seen in public...

Cecily: Meaning...?

Michael: You might not be able to go to school

I loved how Michael cared for my safety. In school, it seemed like he didn't care about anything, let alone, anyone.

Michael: I'll be right back...

He left the room. I opened up the laptop again and logged in. I skimmed through the files once again. I stopped when I read the words "Private". I opened the file.

I read it carefully. It was a diary my mother wrote.

3.19.12

Sometimes I regret having children. Sometimes I wish I was young again. It's been such a burden. It's stressful and tiring. I've used alcohol to drink my stress away. I recently got remarried, and Jack has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. I haven't felt this way since my first marriage. Having a teenage daughter and being in a relationship is one of the biggest problems. Cecily's so selfish sometimes, I swear. Careless, stubborn, and unwelcoming. I raised that child on my own and the least she could do is allow me to be happy. She absolutely HATES Jack, when the man has done nothing to her.

I was hurt by those words. Tears started running down my eyes. Michael walked back in, took his headphones out his ears, and walked over to me slowly.

Michael: What's wrong?

I pointed to the laptop, as he read the full paragraph. He shut off the laptop and closed it, covered himself with the blanket and we laid down together as he hugged me and I cried into his chest.

I heard the door open slowly. Michael lifted his head up a little to see who it was.

Julian: What's going on?

Michael: Get out

Julian: Wh-

Michael: GET OUT

Julian slammed the door and Michael, rested his head back down on the pillow. He held me as I cried myself to sleep.