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“Don’t look so nervous. Are you sure you don’t want me to come?” Vic asks for the thousandth time, seeming pained.
“I’m sure.” I breathe.
His face falls even more which makes me feel bad.
“I’m sorry.” I choke out.
“Hey, hey. Don’t be sorry, silly. You haven’t done anything wrong. I’m sure it’ll be boring anyway. I just want to be there for you if you need me.” he tells me.
“I’m sure I’ll be okay. I’m just not looking forward to seeing my parents again.” I sniff.
“They’re not your parents, Kell. They’re nothing to you.” Vic tells me, squeezing my shoulder.
I smile a little at that.
“Tay and Jenna will be there and Mama and Papa will be there. And then we’re going on a date afterwards, yeah?” I say, hoping to get rid of my anxiety.
“That’s right. I have the best date planned. You’re going to love it.” he beams.
I smile and he leans in to hug me but the door opens so he settles for a pat on the back.
“You ready, Kells?” Papa asks and I shake my head.
“I just need to do something then I’ll be right down.” I smile nervously.
“Okay, take your time, buddy.” Papa says then he leaves, closing the bedroom door behind him.
I throw my arms around Vic and smash my lips to his. He kisses me back passionately and we kiss until I can’t breathe and it’s getting awkwardly long.
I finally stop kissing him and look up at his loving but saddened eyes.
“You’re going to be with me all day,” I whisper, taking his hand and placing it over my heart. “in here.”
He smiles and kisses my forehead.
“I love you, Kells. I believe in you, baby. Stay strong.” he says.
“I love you too.” I whisper then decide to leave.
When I get downstairs, Mama and Papa are by the front door. I can tell they were waiting for me; we obviously really need to go but they didn’t want to rush me.
“You look so handsome in a suit, Kellin!” Mama exclaims, her eyes getting teary.
“Thank you Mama. I’m ready to go.” I tell them, clutching Teddy in my hand a little bit tighter.
We leave the house and get into the car. Papa drives off and I fiddle with Teddy nervously.
“Taylor and Jordan are already in Portland. The trial started yesterday.” Mama explains.
“Yesterday?” I question confused.
“It’s a big case so they want to make sure they have as much evidence as possible. A lot of people need to take the stand and testify. A few did yesterday. They questioned your neighbor, one of your old teachers, Dr. Stump, your aunt-”
“I have an aunt?” I frown confused.
“Yeah. Apparently she didn’t know you existed either.” Mama sighs.
“Who’s taking the stand today?” I question.
“Taylor, Jenna, me and you.” she chirps.
“Then why are you coming, Papa?” I frown confused.
“To support my boy of course.” He chuckles which makes me smile.
We soon arrive at the airport which just gives me anxiety seeing all the people.
I had a panic attack last time I was at the airport which was on my way to Mama and Papa’s. I hope I can handle it this time.
“Can I call Vic when we land?” I ask, getting out of the car, trying to take my mind off everything that’s ahead.
“Of course, honey.” Mama smiles. “He might be in class but knowing Vic, he’ll answer anyway.”
I hold onto Teddy tightly as we enter the airport. The whole process of checking in and trying to find the gate is overwhelming to me and it’s not long before I fall to the floor in tears, shaking in fear.
I put my head down and cover my face so people can’t stare at me.
Mama and Papa are talking but I can’t hear them. I can only hear the sound of my erratic breathing and thumping heart.
“Kell, do you want to talk to, Vic?” I catch Mama ask.
I look up at her momentarily and notice she’s holding out her phone.
I take it from her hand and out it to my ear.
“Vic?” I choke out.
“Hey Kells. I hear you’re sitting on the floor. Do you remember what I told you about how easily you can get sick? Well that floor has a lot of germs on it and if you don’t get up now then you’re going to get sick.” Vic explains making a good point.
“Right, right. I’m going to get sick.” I sniff, quickly and dizzily standing up.
I notice that Mama and Papa look surprised.
“Mama and Papa are going to keep you safe, okay? Remember that.” Vic says and I nod, forgetting that he can’t see me.
“Okay.” I sniff, feeling a lot more calm.
“You need to go with them or you’re going to miss the flight then you won’t make it to the hearing and then your parents won’t go to prison.” he explains.
“Okay.” I whisper, now having enough motivation to get my head straight.
“Bye, Kells. I’ll see you when you get back.”
“Bye Vic.” I sniff.
He hangs up the phone so I hand it back to Mama.
I look around the airport and take a breath. I just need to be strong and do this.
I take Mama’s hand and she smiles lovingly at me.
“You ready?” she asks and I nod.
Papa takes my other hand and soon we get to the gate and board the plane.
“Vic seems to help you a lot.” Mama states, probably to distract me as the plane starts taking off.
“I trust him. It’s harder trusting adults. Vic is a good friend. I know he won’t hurt me. And he never wants me to get hurt. He’s very kind.” I ramble, blushing at how enthusiastic I am.
“I wish you knew him before. You remind me a lot of him. He was so happy-go-lucky all the time. I think you would have really liked him.” she explains.
“I do like him” I smile. “He’s getting better, Mama. I promise.”
She smiles and kisses my head.
“That’s all thanks to you.” she murmurs.
“And you and Papa. He loves you both very much. He told me so.” I chirp.
Papa clears his throat and I look towards him. I see him wipe a tear from his eye.
“He said that?” Papa asks.
“He did.” I nod.
Mama reaches over me and caresses Papa’s cheek with her thumb. He leans over and kisses her. I grin at their happiness. They’re always worrying about something. It’s nice to see them happy.
“Mama! Papa!” I exclaim suddenly excited as I remember something.
“What is it, Kells?” Mama laughs.
“I got a C+ on my math test!” I tell them.
Mama near squeals and wraps her arms around me.
“Honey, that’s fantastic!” she gasps.
“That’s above average, kiddo.” Papa grins.
“Thank you. I’m proud of myself.” I beam. “Vic did a lot better though.”
“Vic did the test?” Papa asks confused and I nod.
“I begged him to so I wouldn’t feel so nervous.” I explain.
“What did Vic get?” he questions sounding interested.
“A+.” I chirp.
“He got an A+?” Mama gasps.
“He did. He says the teacher must have made a mistake though.” I frown.
“Hmm, I think I’ll give his teacher a call later.” she says thoughtfully.
I let out a long drawn out yawn.
“You look really tired, Kells.” Mama says.
“I am. I was accidentally up all night.” I frown.
I was worrying about the trial all night and poor Vic was up with me, trying to get me to go to sleep. He has to go to school today so I feel really bad for keeping him up. He must be just as tired as I am.
“Why don’t you sleep? We still have two hours and you don’t want to be tired during this hearing.” Mama suggests and I nod.
She lifts up the armrest between us then she pulls me into her arms. I close my eyes and just enjoy how comfortable I feel. It’s a little while of content silence before Mama speaks again.
“What do you think about adoption?” Mama asks Papa almost dreamily.
“Now?” Papa says sounding confused.
“Well, no, obviously not now. There’s still so much that’s unstable right now. His aunt still might take him yet. But if we still have him in a year or so, then I think we should run the idea by him.” Mama explains.
“I think that’s a great idea.” I can hear the smile in Papa’s voice.
I’m not entirely too sure of what they’re talking about but I understood one thing, my aunt might take me away from them.
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