23 C23: Don’t Test Me

Arriving at the hotel, I looked at Cindy conflicted… is this really where it ends?

She looked back at me with a worried look on her face, "Reign, why are you crying?" She asked me.

I touch my face to feel the warm liquid against my cheeks, when did I start crying?

I don't know what happened but I found myself in Cindy's hug balling my eyes out. Chocking on my tears, I hugged her back, "I-I d-don't w-w-want t-t-t-to l-l-l-eave y-you b-b-b-but I-I w-w-want t-t-to g-g-go h-h-home."

She patted my back with one hand cooing me while she brushed her fingers through my hair. Gently she rocked us back and forth – after a moment I could feel soft tugging coming from her. As I looked up I saw that tears were falling from her eyes.

"W-w-why a-are y-y-you c-c-crying," I asked trying to brave this out.

She looked down at me with sad eyes she said, "How can I not cry when you are this sad… Reign I told you before that you and I won't end here besides I am your baby mama… do you really think I will leave you like that?"

I laughed at her remark… she really knew how to make me feel better. The two of us sat on the bed cuddling up in each other and fell asleep.

*

I looked into the direction where Cindy's car disappeared; she was on her way back now. She gave me money in case things didn't work out at home so that I could stay at a hotel – I hope this money doesn't need to be used.

Each step I took towards my family's home became heavier than the last. It's an incredibly suffocating feeling that's making me lose my confidence.

Arriving in front of the outside gate, I looked inwards at the door – it was shut. Our dogs Milo and Tam-Tam, two noisy Jack Russel's ran towards the gate barking but stopped once they saw me.

Their black marble eyes stared at me as though they couldn't recognize me but did.

I bent down holding out my hand through the bars of the gate with a smile on my face, "Hey Milo, Tam-Tam, do you still remember me?" I asked wearily.

Tam-Tam wined as she backed away from my hand scared. Milo smelt the tips of my fingers then licked it. His tail wagged crazily as he continued to sniff at my hands.

His sister grew curious and walked towards my stretched out hand. Not long and the two of them started barking with excitement. I smiled and felt slightly relieved but then I heard the door open.

Looking up straight at the door, my mother was behind the inner gate staring at me in disbelief. I stood up and looked at her – my mother looked petrified.

I let her stare at me as long as she wanted. I am not going anywhere anyway.

A little over ten minutes passed and tears rolled down her cheeks. Gripping onto the gate she asked in a barely audible voice, "R-Reign?"

"I'm home," I answered.

Opening the gate I walked in closing it behind me. I heard rustling and metal clanking behind me. Turning around I hit into my mother's chest. She wrapped her arms around me so tight that I could barely breathe… I tried escaping but gave up midway as I heard her crying loudly above my head.

Her cry was so sad that it frightened me and I almost believed that I was dead!

She kept calling my name between her cries and I didn't know what to do – I suddenly feel like the bad guy.

My mother's cry was so loud that it called the neighbours.

My siblings were home too and Skye was the first one to see me… this four-year-old toddler screamed my name out alerting the others as she ran to me crying, "BIG BROTHER!!"

She hugged my leg crying. Stellar and Reegon came running out too. Reegon ran up to us hugging me from behind.

I looked at Stellar who just stood there with her hands gripping her hair in an attempt to pull it out. Stammering she walked up to us – she looked at me with red eyes and her mouth open – attempting to say something but nothing came out.

I reached out for her hand and pulled her in, she along with the rest cried to the point where I was full of tears and very moist.

*

My mother ended up not cooking because she hugged me and did not want to let go. Reegon and Skye were at my side while Stellar sat there staring at me engraving my very image into her heart. I could see that her face kept on changing as she stared at me – most probably because I looked different with the ear piercings and the accessories… not to mention the blue jeans ripped at the knees that measured my body perfect; the black tank top and jacket was equally tight fitted – it's a good thing I'm not wearing heels.

Sturgeon was away at uni and my father on a business trip two towns over. Stellar contacted them – I wonder who will arrive here first. Stellar also took it upon herself to inform those on Facebook and Instagram of my return.

I threatened to leave again if my mother didn't let go of me.

Reegon was a doll. He carried my heavy bags upstairs to my room for me and came back down not letting me out of his sight.

I dig around in the fridge because of the hunger that grew. I found a tray of chicken and a tray of raw stir fry beef. Taking it out I asked, "Ma, can I cook the chicken and beef that's in the fridge?"

She turned around to look at me while she was on the landline. Looking at the meat in my hands she nodded.

I poured rice into a pot with frozen diced veg. Cutting the fat off the chicken I seasoned it along with some wedged potatoes – into the oven they went as I started frying the beef strips that I lightly salted.

"Reign, look here," Stellar called. I looked up and she took a photo of me with Skye and Reegon photo bombing in the background.

"Reign smile!" she demanded. Rolling my eyes I smiled real hard. My dimples said hello as I smiled too. The flash went off and I looked at her… she looked surprised, "Have you always had dimples?"

"Yes Stell, these birth defects have always been here," I answered her.

Standing beside me she seemed confused… "Reign?"

"Mn?" I hummed while stirring the beef strips.

"You weren't happy were you?"

Smiling at her, I had nothing to say; I was happy but not as happy as I am now.

Turning over the beef I said, "I'll tell you why when dad and Sturgeon return."

Before she could say something mother walked in, "Reign, you can cook?"

"Mn, I taught myself."

"You didn't hurt yourself did you?"

Chuckling I shook my head and said, "The four of you are crowding over me again."

Holding her hands up in defeat she picked Skye up and went to the lounge. Stellar sat opposite me next to Reegon and they both watched me cook in silence.

She started texting, "By the way, I posted that picture on Instagram."

I nodded my head shrugging my shoulders. "Theodore sent me a message," she said.

I looked up at her meeting her eyes, "What does he want?"

"He asked if he could come over." Hearing that I shook my head, "Tell him I'll contact him tonight, I travelled for quite some time and want to be left alone."

Nodding her head she sent the message, "He says you must not forget."

Frowning I nodded my head.

I sat down on the mat in front of me with my plate of food and Skye took the seat beside me. Reegon sat on the couch behind me while Stellar and mom occupied the other two seats. My mother couldn't stop going on about how the food tasted - I ignored her because she was being unnecessary.

Stellar had her mobile in hand texting. Calling from behind me, "Reign Chloe said she's on her way to see you with her father."

"Tell that bitch she's dead if she steps into the yard," I say.

I heard a clanking beside my left ear. It was my mother - I guess my little cuss surprised her.

I saw from the corner of my eye Skye shaking her head. I continued to watch on without care.

The room went silent and the only thing that made sounds was the voice coming from the drama playing on the t.v.

*

After doing the dishes I took a bath, drowning my hair in the milky water - I'm out of it today...

Getting dressed I logged into Google hangouts and video called Theo to find out what it is that he wanted.

Pulling on my shirt he answered, "Y-you really are back..."

I looked at him hugging myself, "Y-yea, how have you been?"

I saw his face change to a frown, "Reign, this is not a time to be asking how I am. Do you know how worried I've been about you, you've been gone for over two months... Do you know I haven't slept properly because of you?" he said as his voice croaked.

I stared at him not understanding what he was going on about. His eyes are turning red, is he about to cry?

He didn't look long at me before he started rubbing his eyes, I suddenly feel so weird - this is the first time I'm seeing Theo like this, I thought he doesn't care about me.

I stared at him feeling the tears welling up not sure if I should explain to him what happened to me... It was silent between us.

Picking up the laptop I walked to my bed plugging it in. I grabbed my earphones plugging it in. Theo had his head down on the desk resting against his arms - is he crying because of me?

I watched at him cry and didn't know how to comfort him. Through my earphones, I could hear a soft sob coming from him. I don't know why but he suddenly got up and walked away.

Calling him a few times there was no response from the other end. Waiting for him so many scenes crossed through my mind of reasons why but still - I don't know.

Getting up, I placed my laptop to the side and took my phone off charge. Looking through my phone book I clicked on his name... The phone rang but no one answered.

I dialed his number again and he picked up. My heart was pounding wildly as I heard him answer.

"Hello?" His voice sounds horse, its definitely because he cried.

"T-Theodore, it's me…" I trailed.

"Reign?"

"Mn…"

He never spoke and I could hear him breathe… "If you want to still come over you can," I said.

"I thought you didn't want to see anyone. Chloe phoned me too saying you swore here and threatened her." He said.

"Chloe and I broke up months ago, you can't blame me for not wanting to see her, what use will it be to see her now?" I asked in defense.

"I'll come."

"I'll wait outside for you…"

"Okay."

*

On my way downstairs I had on black tight-fitting pants and a white crop top that tied into a bow at the back. My white jacket covered most of me but I left the front open exposing my flat pierced belly and the body chain that hooked from my neck to my waist…

At the bottom of the stairs, I passed the kitchen and my mother saw me. Her eyes widened at my appearance. Smiling at her I fixed my bangs moving them to the right behind my ear, "Ma, Theodore will be here soon."

She looked at me with her mouth open but nothing came out. I raised a brow asking, "Did you hear what I just said?"

My question pulled her out from where she was and she answered, "I thought you didn't want to see anyone?"

"I changed my mind," I said shrugging.

I stood outside for about twelve minutes and he arrived, he stays a bit off, further away from school unlike me who gets there in fifteen after taking a walk.

Leaning against the wall with my hands in my pocket, I watched the red jeep pull up before me. Looking into the driver's seat, a handsome man sat in it eyeing me from top to bottom - for some reason, those beautiful green orbs of his made my heart tremble.

His intense stare made him look attractive - Theo… attractive? How can that be?

"Aren't you getting in?" he asked me. Raising an eyebrow I grinned, is he done staring?

Walking up to the jeep he opened it for me. Climbing in I hooked the seat belt. Catching him staring at me I smiled, "I'm not going anywhere so you don't have to stare so much."

Turning his head he asked, "Since its still an hour before sunset, wanna go somewhere?"

Shrugging I nodded. Anywhere was fine as long as I was out of danger and out of my room.

Driving off he kept stealing glances through the rearview mirror. Shaking my head I turned in my seat putting my right leg under me and adjusted the seat belt.

Looking at him from this angle I'm actually surprised. This is the first time that I am looking at him properly although it's just his side profile.

He has a perfect jawline and that collar bone sticking out through his shirt is just calling out my name to be eaten…

Rolling those thoughts behind me, his straight hair caught my attention. A new hairstyle? It looks good on him, I just wish he'd look this way so I can get a better look at him - it's like I don't know how he looks… My memory of him… was he always this handsome?

We stopped at a four-way waiting for the cars before us to go. "Thee-odore" I called dragging out his name.

With his left arm stretched out holding the steering wheel, he looked over his arm at me. Raising an eyebrow he didn't answer but just stared into my eyes.

My heart beat uncontrollably fast, pounding against my chest. Swallowing hard I said, "I never noticed before but you're pretty handsome."

"You're saying that with a straight face?" Theo asked amused.

"I mean it," I say

Eyeing me, he licked his lips, "Don't test me," he warned half-jokingly.

So he knows how to tease as well.