Amber Society ✘

8

"Where the hell were you?!" My mom was screaming at me. I deserved it. "What happened? You're cut! Does it hurt?"

"Mom-"

"Let me get you medicine. Oh my goodness, this is terrible."

"Mom-"

"Did you fall? Is that why you have a cut on your face? It looks really bad."

"Mom-"

"Tell me it doesn't hur-"

"Mom! I'm fine. I took a shortcut, and tripped on the way. It's okay." Lies.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes mom. Don't worry." More lies.

"O-okay. I'm just going to sit for a second. Is that alright?"

"It's fine. You don't have to ask me..."

"I shouldn't have let you go. Never, ever do that again!"

"Okay." Another lie. How long do I have to keep this up? My dad was sitting at the kitchen island, his head on the surface.

"Dad? Are you okay?"

"Rory, you shouldn't have done that."

"I know, I'm sorry. I just needed space and time to think."

"About what?"

"About this move. I just hadn't gotten used to it yet, but I promise you, it's all okay now. I'm not mad about it anymore."

"You were mad?"

"More like upset...but yes."

"I'm really sorry Rory that we put you through this. We thought the move would help our situation." Situation? Financial situation? "It'd keep you and your siblings safe." What..? "Karisa, we need to talk about this." There was about five seconds of silence before the doorbell rang. "Do. Not. Answer it."

"But-"

"Do not!" My dad grabbed something from the side table near his office and approached the door. "Who is it?" He called out.

"Luca, sir."

My dad turned to us and whispered, "it's Luca Callistro." What was my dad holding?

"Open the door." My mom whispered back.

"But it might not be him." Oh my god, they have got to be kidding me.

"Oh you're right. Check if it's really him."

"Mo-"

"Shush." Did she just shush me?

"Hello?" I actually felt bad for Luca, who was standing outside hearing distant whispers coming from the other side of the door. My dad looked through the side window, and sure enough, it was who he said he was. Luca. Shocker.

"Luca! What a surprise! What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be eating dinner with your family?" My dad quickly put his arms behind his back like a child. Wait, wait. Is that a...

My mom followed my gaze and gently hit my shoulder.

"We had an early dinner today. I was actually here to see Rory?"

"Nope! She's..uh...asleep."

"But she's right ther-"

"She's about to unpack all her stuff from her room. Isn't that right Rory?"

"Um, well-"

"You were. Go." What was happening? This doesn't have anything to do with what LeNoir said, right? "Go. In fact, Luca I think you should head home. It's dark, and your parents are probably wondering where you are."