Home Sweet Home

After procrastinating for a long as humanly possible, I walk up to my house and ring the doorbell. I have a key but I was trying to give my Dad as much time as I possibly could. Thane continues to watch me with a frown but I just nod my head with a slight smile and wait.

After two minutes, Thane finally speaks up and says "Should you try again? Maybe they didn't hear it..." I silently smile and nod my head as I slowly reach up and ring the doorbell again. When the door swings open, I'm met with my Dad looking like he just ran a marathon.

My Dad rakes his sweaty hair out of his face before awkwardly saying "My son! I'm so glad you made it! This must be your roommate." I awkwardly laugh as I say "Yes, it's good to see you Dad. This is my Thane... I MEAN ROOMMATE! My roommate named Thane."

My Dad and I both awkwardly turn to look at Thane before both awkwardly laughing. Thane looks to both of us with a strange look before sticking his hand out and saying "It's a pleasure, I hope your wife is okay."

My Dad takes his hand and says "Huh? Oh! Oh, yes! My wife is doing much better, thank you. It's a pleasure to meet you as well." My Dad continues to stand there, holding Thane's hand as Thane awkwardly stands there and sends me a look for "help".

I clear my throat and say "Dad, we've uh, been traveling, and are pretty tired." My Dad looks to me and smiles while nodding his head before doing a double-take at his hand still holding Thane's. He quickly releases Thane's hand with a nervous laugh and says "Of course, come on in!"

He steps to the side and waves Thane in. Thane politely smiles and steps in but when I step in and walk past my Dad, we both silently try to talk to each other as quickly as possible. Both of us try to talk with our hands as our mouths go a mile a minute but when Thane says "You have a lovely home."

We both snap up and smile as Thane turns back to look at us. My Dad beams at Thane and says "Why, thank you. It's not much but it's ours. Right, this way." My Dad gives me one last look of panic before walking ahead of both of us and leading us into the living room.

My Mom sits up and awkwardly smiles as she says "My son... it's so good to see you again. I'm so sorry I scared you but I'm fine." I practically run past Thane and my Dad before kneeling next to my Mom and asking "Are you okay? Was it your blood pressure?"

She gives me a warm smile and pats my head before saying "Yes, but it's fine now. The doctor gave me medicine so I shouldn't have this problem again." I slowly nod before leaning in and asking "Do you have enough for it? I still have most of the money you and Dad gave me before I left. I don't need it."

My Mom rubs my cheek and gets teary-eyed before saying "We have plenty, sweetheart. If only your rotten br... brat of a sister was just half as thoughtful as you." I awkwardly cough before nodding my head and standing up.

When I turn around, Thane and my Dad awkwardly stand there watching our exchange. I clear my throat and say "This is Thane, he's my roommate and... friend. Thane, these are my parents." Thane introduces himself to my mother and politely says "Your son is extremely talented and has earned a spot among the Elites. He'll actually get to be one of the first out into the Void. It's an honor many don't get to carry."

My Mom and Dad's faces freeze before my Dad awkwardly smiles and says "I'm going to get dinner ready..." My Mom starts fanning herself as she says "I think the blood pressure medicine is making me a bit warm."

Thane frowns at their response but my Mom quickly says "I'm sorry dear, our... Val has always thrived in school and been the best at everything he puts his mind to. I guess we aren't too shocked to hear that... but we are thrilled! Oh so very thrilled... about going into the Void... and fighting... possibly to the death."

I cough and say "Why don't you have a seat, Thane? After we eat dinner, we'll head back to the Academy." Thane politely takes a seat as he says "That won't be necessary. The school said we can head back tomorrow so we can stay the night."

I blink a couple of times and slowly nod my head as I say "That's... great!" I turn to my Mom and give her large eyes as I say "Really great! Right, Mom?" She awkwardly laughs a bit and says "It's wonderful dear... absolutely wonderful."

Thane begins looking around the house, causing me to panic but when I do a quick glance myself, I relax a little. My Dad managed to grab every family portate and hide it. When I look back to Thane, I catch him looking at me with an odd look.

I freeze a little, wondering if my Dad missed a picture or something but then Thane asks "Is your sister not home?" My Mom and I both share a look before I say "My sister is... she's a screw-up and trouble maker. She... she caused a problem and then ran away from home."

My Mom bites her lip and slowly nods her head as she looks down at the floor, unable to look Thane in the eyes as I flat out lie and badmouth myself. Thane frowns a little before saying "Oh... I didn't mean to pry it's just... it's just not safe for females to roam around in the city by themselves."

I nod my head in agreement before saying "Oh, I knoooow. We've had this argument with her before... right, Mom?" My Mom's head snaps up before nodding and saying "We've done everything in our power to straighten her out and put her back on the right path but she's just... a wild child."