The Valiant

Chapter 10

The bell rings, signaling the end of the school day. I grab my stuff and leave the Math room. I put my stuff in my locker, not needing it since I have homework that I can finish in study hall. I turn around and almost run into Drake, who smiles down at me. I smile at him as we turn and walk out of the school.

"I'm going to walk to my old house, visit my family," I tell him, "you can just go back to the building," he looks back at me and shakes his head.

"No, I'm coming with you," he says, "I want to meet your family,"

"Drake, you do-" I start but he silences me.

"Payt, do you want to meet my dad?" He asks. I nod, wondering where this conversation will be going, "the only way I will let my dad meet you is if you let your family meet me," I look away and sigh.

"Alright," I say finally. He smirks as we approach his car. He opens the door for me before going to the drivers side and sliding into the seat. I sit down and shut the door while putting the seatbelt on. He starts the car and drives out of the parking lot. As we get closer to where my family lives, the more nervous I get.

Soon, we pull up to a tan, two story house. I spot a van in the driveway and instantly know that they are home. I look over at Drake and he gives me a reassuring smile. This is the first time I would be seeing my mother and brothers after I moved to the Main Building. When I came here to get my clothes and some valuables, my mother wasn't here and so weren't my brothers. I left a note telling them where I was and that I will be fine. So yes, I am nervous about seeing my mother for the first time in weeks. I open the door and get out and shut the door. Drake walks around the car and grabs my hand reassuringly.

"It'll be fine," he says softly, "I'm here with you," I nod as we start walking up to the door. I close my eyes and take a deep breath before I raise my hand and knock three times. I hear voices inside and the door handle turning. The door swings open and I see my mother, he blonde hair tied up in a ponytail with some strands hanging out. She looks stressed. She sees me and a small smile goes onto her face.

"Payton," she says in a whisper and I smile awkwardly, "come in, come in," my mother steps aside and we walk inside. Nothing really changed since the last time I was here. The couch and chair remain facing the tv with a coffee table between the couch and TV. The kitchen didn't change, neither did the dining room. I look up at the tv and smile when How To Train Your Dragon is playing, since it is my brothers' favorite movie. I smile as the dragon Toothless slaps Hiccup with one of his ear things during their first ride together. My mother shuts the door and sighs.

"Welcome home, sweetie," she says, "your room is untouched and supper is almost finished," I nod, feeling awkward as I look up at Drake, who is looking around the room, taking in his surroundings. The sound of running feet can be heard as two people stand on the stairs, looking to see who it is. They smile as they run down the stairs and hug me tightly, saying 'Payton!' Loudly. I smile as I hug them both.

"Hey you two troublemakers," I say, smiling at my brothers, Mario and Blake, "have you been giving mom a bad time?"

"Yes!" Mario says enthusiastically, "we have been causin' a lot of trouble!" I laugh a bit at the twins.

"Dinner is ready," my mom calls out and the twins run into the dinning room to get first dibs on seats. I stand back up and look back at Drake, who has a small smile on his face. He looks at me and I smile at him, which causes his to widen. We walk into the kitchen to see a chicken in the middle of the table, surrounding by salad bowls and a bowl of jello. Glasses and plates, and silverware are already set.

"My mom is kind of a perfectionist," I explain to Drake silently so my mom wouldn't hear, "she is always prepared," he nods as we take our seats next to one another. My mom enters with a pitcher of pink lemonade and some ice.

"let's dig in!" She announces joyfully as she sits in her spot at the head of the table. I grab some chicken and put it on my plate and grab a spoonful of jello. I grab some ice and put it in my glass and pour some lemonade in it.

"So, Payton," my mom says, looking at me, "how was your life away from here?"

"Interesting, very different," I answer, then get confused, "what. What do you mean by 'was', mom?" She looks at me, confused. She then smiles and turns her attention to Drake.

"Hi, I'm sorry we haven't formally meet yet," she says, "I'm Diane Riley, Payton's mom, obviously. And you are?"

"I'm Drake Mills," Drake answers with a polite smile. My mom smiles at him and goes back to eating.

"So, uh, mom," I say slowly. She looks at me, "are you a, you know, shifter?" Mario and Blake look confused as they wait for mom to answer. My mom looks at me for a while until she sighs, "mom, you have to be honest. You do know that I am a shifter as well,"

"Yes I was, and still am, a shifter," she says softly, "I loved it. Being able to be free when your an animal. No burdens, no drama, no nothing. I can shift into a horse. I was going to school in Denver when I met your father, he was also a shifter. He shifted into a bear. He was the most amazing man ever. He cared for me, he loved me, and he protected me from your abusive grandparents. We met in my sophomore year and started dating before the end of my Junior year. I got pregnant with you a few months after we graduated and we got married before you were born. He for a well paying job and we eventually bought this house. Soon, you were born and we couldn't be happier. We lived happily for the next few years until I found out I was pregnant again. I told him and he was so happy and excited. A few months later, when I was three months pregnant with these two, your father was going to work, walking since it was a wonderful day out, when he was surrounded by a gang, who tried to rob him. He tried to escape, but they pulled guns on him, which forced him to shift into his animal. He killed two and injured one before he ran off into a nearby forest, being chased by the rest of the gang. We were told he died, but his body has never been found," my mom wipes a few tears away and tries to calm down.

"So I'm a full-bred," I say softly, mainly to myself. Under the table, Drake takes my hand and gives it a comforting squeeze. My mom nods.

"Yes," she says. I take a deep breath before I try to bring up the next subject, which she ignored earlier.

"Mom, earlier you asked my how my life is going, but you said 'was,. Why?" She sighs.

"Your moving back in, right?" She asks, "that's why you came back," I see Drake tense a bit next to me and it is my turn to give his hand an assuring squeeze.

"I'm sorry mom, but I'm living elsewhere, with Drake and a bunch of other shifters my age," I say as gently as I could. She looks down at her plate.

"Payton, can't you just, live here," she says softly. I shake my head, hating this.

"I'm sorry mom," I say silently. And she nods.

"I understand," she says softly before retreating elsewhere. Mario and Blake sit there awkwardly.

"You two may go, if you want," I tell them and they gladly leave. The second they're gone, I lean back in my chair and let loose a long sigh. Drake looks over at me, worry in his eyes, "who knew parents would cause so much stress," I mumble and he chuckles. We stand up and go to leave.

"You're leaving?" Blake asks, looking up at us after restarting How To Train Your Dragon. I nod silently and he sighs. Him and Mario come over and hug me. I return the hug and smile at them once before leaving, closing the door, separating my family and I once again.