Hope and Faith

Chapter Thirteen: The Past.

Next day was a peaceful day at school. Justin did not open the topic again and whenever our eyes lock, he sends me this endearing smile. For the first time since I started living with April and her husband, I feel that I finally belong somewhere. April and I became best friends, I made Thomas acquaintances, but I don’t think Sofia and I will ever sort things out.

Matty, on the other hand, grew to be so weird with me. Whenever we cross path at school, he acts as strangers and when I call, he declines. During lunch break, papers were fluttering around and whenever a student takes hold of one, he/she cheers.  When I received the paper, I came to know it is an invitation for the Annual Homecoming party held tonight at school. Sofia and Thomas were exhilarated and decided immediately to join the party for a blast. When Justin received the paper, he looked at me first thing before approaching us.

“Are you going?” he asks looking at me. He is so close that I feel his breath on me. So warm and comforting. My heart pounds faster. We were never that close before. I am terrified that he might have noticed when I hyper-ventilated.

“I don’t know.”

“Let’s go, Faith. It is going to be a blast!” April joined.

I glanced at Justin and saw him giving me an encouraging look. He knows I am still not fully back to myself after last night and I reckon that’s why he wants me to join; to forget everything for few hours. “I can crash at your place so we can get ready together.” She added.

Sofia and Thomas turned to us and the four of them waited for an answer.
“Al right. That would be fun.”

After school, April and I walked to my house. It was a very long exhausting walk but we sought some work out before tonight’s party. On the way, we were mostly tranquil. All of our energy was consumed in the hike. But for me, I was lost in thoughts about Hope and where my search should start that my eyes burned with tears. April realized and thought it probably has something to do with my hand. So she decided to talk me out of it.

“So you are Canadian, Ha?”

“Yes I am. But I lived most of my life in America.”

“Means you don’t know the magical wonder of Canada.”

I laughed. “Show me then.”

“Well, tonight’s party. You will see it all.”

I smiled.

Fifteen minutes later we reached the house. She wasn’t shocked by how tremendous the villa is and similarly, I was not surprised. Anyone studying at East Coast high will definitely be used to mansions. Mom was in the kitchen cooking lunch. I gained enough fortitude to call her and inform her that April will come back with me. Unfortunately, Aunt Maggie was still there. So I pulled April straight away to my room. She headed to my wardrobe and chose a pajama of mine. Meanwhile, I walked to my mirror and pulled my hair into a ponytail. I glanced at April’s reflection in the mirror and saw her picking up something from the ground. She has dropped my passport.

“Don’t look at the picture!” I screamed. “I look horrible!”

“Then, I have to see It.” she laughed.

She flipped it open and scrutinized with eyes wide open. I turned around to justify her stare since the photo is not really mesmerizing. Her bloodshot eyes turned to me and stretched her arm to hand over the passport.

“Nationality: American.” She said deadpanned but I can see her stifling the loud scream. “Why did you lie?” Okay. She is mad.

I failed to remember my parents changed my name and nationality when they laid hands on me, as a key to the door of my new world.  I inexplicably hold her gaze without justifying. My brain is suddenly vacant of lies in spite a life based on them.