SOLACE

twenty

       I woke up with a text from Mom and Kai. It has already been a week living with Henry in his apartment, I already got used to eating breakfast which I thought before was unnecessary, waking up with him, taking care of the plants together and also going to school with him.

People already started talking about us but we didn't mind them and Cali would always say I was glowing recently, like I was genuinely happy for the first time. 

I have already grown accustomed to his company, it had already become my new normal in just a short span of time and I didn't know if it was good for me or not. 

There was always a fear deep inside me that all people you'll meet just are temporary but I didn't want him to be temporary. So, I decided to keep all these confusing feelings to myself.

It was another Saturday, I only started opening the messages from Mom when I finished eating breakfast and Henry was beside me, also anticipating the messages I received.

Mom:

Hey, Adeline. I'm sorry about what happened the last time. I know it wasn't right but I had too much on my plate. Please come back home with your brother. I'm okay now.

I was dumbfounded in my seat reading her message that she's apologizing. I looked at Henry with tears falling from my eyes. He went beside me to wrap me in an embrace while I cried in his shoulder. I didn't know what to feel, it just feels a lot seeing her apologize to me. 

When I calmed down from my cries, my phone vibrated and it was Kai calling. I haven't read his messages yet. So, I quickly answered his call.

"Don't, Adeline. We're not going there," He warned. I was surprised he already knew what I was going to say.

"Why not? She's our mother, Kai!" I objected. I looked at Henry who was leaning at the countertop, listening to us arguing.

"Isn't it enough that she hurts us and especially you?" He spats, I could feel the frown on his face just through hearing his voice. 

"She apologized already, Kai. Let's give her a chance," I pleaded while I massaged my head to calm myself.

"No, it's too much, Adeline. She could hurt you again," He reprimanded. 

"What if she doesn't? Shouldn't we at least give it a try?" I countered.

"You trust her that much, Adeline? After all that has happened?" He replied and I let out a heavy sigh as I shut my eyes before I replied.

"Fine, I can just go home without you. I'm going, you do whatever you want," I decided. He was quiet for a moment, I almost thought he wouldn't respond at all.

"Don't do that. I'm going with you," He mutters in a low voice before dropping the call.