Birds of a Feather

eleven

"Hey guys!" my voice surprised even me, as I sounded much more TV-show-host than normal. Rachel's eyebrow drew in suspicion, but ultimately took it as me being silly. After the press conference I wouldn't be surprised if they actually thought I was bat-shit crazy.
The familiar sound of my dad hanging up his keys filled my ears, even though it felt like the last time I'd heard that noise was mere days ago, in reality it had been months. "Dylan, what was your deal at that press conference? You acted-"
"-Crazy?" Jenna interjected.
This made me grin. "That was the idea. Kinda hoped it was payback for displaying my naked body on national television." I shrugged, as if this act of vengeance should have been anticipated. I moseyed over to the fridge and flung it open, searching for some sort of a snack. "Damn, I was kinda hoping that after like six months we might have more to eat in the fridge," I scoffed.
There was a moment of silence, I turned around to see my sisters and father ogling me like some sort of side show freak. There was a moment of silence, before Jenna ran to me. She grabbed me by my shirt pulling me astride with her. Her arms flung around me in a way that was almost aggressive, but upon arrival was soft and somber. I felt the warmth of her silent tears as they stained my shirt. "Hey now, why the long face? We should be celebrating! I'm home!"
I lifted Jenna's face to look at mine, her long eyelashes wet with tears, but she was still pretty as ever. Something about the familiar image of me searching through the fridge made her realize that yes, I was home. When her eyes met mine, i was surprised to find her smiling. "I just never thought I'd see you in this house again, or open the fridge again, Dyl. I never thought I'd say that I missed the sound of your complaining,"
Jenna's remark caused my father and Rachel to start to laugh, and when I looked to them, they too had tears silently wetting their cheeks. However, their smiles were just as big as Jenna's. They both enveloped me and Jenna in a huge hug. For a brief moment, I felt almost cold and calloused. Why wasn't I feeling this same way? How could I stand there, warm with my family's tears thinking only of getting back to my room, and ultimately, to Kace?
   I had to humble myself for a moment by reminding myself that my family's perception of time and my own were two completely different things. I hadn't truly grasped how much time had passed, though I was worried about the moment that I did realize I would absolutely lose it. For now, I'd just shrug it off and deal with that later.
  I gave everyone a final squeeze and pulled out of the hug. I hadn't realized, but I had in fact shed a single tear. With glimmering eyes, we all smiled at one another. "Well, despite the insanity, I think a celebration is in order. How about your favorite for dinner tonight, Dyl?" my dad quipped.
  My jaw dropped. "You don't mean..."
  "Crab legs?" my dad finished.
  "Steamed with corn and potatoes and cajun seasoning?" I shot back
  He raised a brow playfully at me and then nodded. In response, I did a weird sort of shimmy-twerking hybrid dance in celebration.
  "Alright, well I'll head to the store and grab some ingredients," he went to pick up the keys he had just placed down mere moments before.
  "Can I come?" Jenna begged. My dad nodded, and without further discussion, walked back into the garage. Then it was just Rachel and I, as soon as they left she took no time to interrogate me.
  "What are you hiding?"
  I was slightly taken aback. For a brief moment, I considered telling her about Kace. Rachel and Jenna were both some of my closest confidants. In that moment, I opened my mouth, about to tell her of the beautiful, dark, and mysterious man that I had stuffed in my closet. But I held my tongue, knowing that Kace was secretive for a reason. He didn't want to be known. Maybe one day he'd let me tell my sisters. When I understood that I couldn't tell Rachel, my heart sank. Not only was I a bad liar, but I hated doing it.
   I laughed nervously. "You think there's some crazy secret I'm hiding from you after wings, powers, and a kidnapping?" she said nothing, but her eyes bored into my soul, practically daring me to lie. "Well, I'm sorry but I'm an open book!" I smiled, hoping she'd take the lie and leave it at that.
   "Sure... sure." she rolled her eyes. "It's okay, I know you'll tell me eventually. If you can't tell me, I know it's for a good reason."
   Her understanding made me swoon, and I wrapped her in my arms affectionately, but quickly. "Thanks!" I yipped, before running off into my room.