Trust Issues

Chapter 36: Why now?

"I missed you both so much." My mother spoke.

I instantly felt protective and pulled Cat behind me.

"What are you doing here, how did you find us?" I asked, attempting to keep calm.

"Wow you look so beautiful in that dress, so elegant-"

"Answer my question." I cut her off.

"I have my sources that I will not disclose. Aren't you happy to see me?" She retorted selfishly.

"We left to get away from you, why would we be happy to see you." I spat.

"Catherine, you look absolutely stunning. Honour roll and a heart warming speech, you made mama so proud." My mother continued.

I felt Cat shudder behind me.

"Look, I know you don't want trouble, neither do I. So I am going to have to ask you to please stay far away from my sister and I. We do not plan on going back, nor do I plan on caving in to you and dad. Leave us alone." I said , pulling Cat behind me away from the scene and Jasmine following protectively behind us. Once we made it to the car, it was silent, ominous.

"T-that just happened." Cat stuttered out.

I simply kept my line of sight forward and nodded.

"What does this mean." She continued.

Though internally I was numb in disbelief, I kept level headed.

"Nothing, it means we keep on living how we currently are. She knows your school, but not where we live or work. You won't even be going back to that school. New York City is big, the chances of just running into her are low and she doesn't know where we will be." I stated.

The shock of seeing my mother brought out the vigilant protector in me, and I logically don't believe she or my father will finds us again. We are okay.

Jasmine began to drive, all of us sat in silence. Her right hand reached out to grab mine, and I squeezed hers tightly.

***

We let Cat walk into Jonathan's room first, so she could dramatically reenact walking across the stage.

"Eh there she is! Congrats Cat!" I heard Jonathan say when she walked in. I couldn't help but smile at his excitement.

Then the rest of us walked in, David running into his dad's arms again.

"You all look so classy wow!" He spoke.

Cat then introduced Casey.

"Jonathan this is my best friend Casey, Case this is Jasmine's dad, who's pretty much been like a dad to me for the last couple of months we've known each other." She smiled at him.

"Thank you that's so sweet, it's nice to meet you Casey." Jonathan responded shaking her hand.

Jasmine and I looked at each other, content about the sweet interaction. Then my thoughts went back to my mother, and the worry. Jasmine pulled me outside in private. She didn't say anything and simply hugged me, holding me tight.

"You were right. I really didn't think she could find you, I'm sorry for not believing you." Jasmine said.

"Don't be sorry, I really wanted to be wrong. I'm so scared." I spoke honestly.

She pulled back and watched my features closely.

"I know he was abusive, but may ask why it is you're so terrified of them finding you? It is only your mom, maybe she won't say anything." She questioned.