Chapter 20: New Day, Same Plans

This morning, I woke up better than the previous ones. Yesterday was heavy and tiring, but I did uncover a lot of important information. I still have a long way to go and a lot more to go, so I got up almost immediately.

I think this is the first time in a while I took an exceptionally accomplished bath after so long. While I was in here, I was trying to think of the things I must do today. First, I got to read Jacob's journal again. Then, Haku's. I'll have to return the book to Yuki when I'm done. Maybe I can talk to Gran about our family line again. If I figured all of this out earlier, I could have done something about all this bullying at school. Ack! That reminds me, I still need to get started on that art project. I still can't think of anything special to draw, so maybe I can cram it tomorrow. As always.

My shoulders shiver. Not because of the bath, but because for the first time in my life, I'm actually planning my day. And I'm determined to do them. Ugh, what the hell?

Later on, after everything is done, I also probably need to visit the cave again to ask Malinda some questions. It's weird, I have this urge to go to her right this moment. I remember her story of being trapped inside there. She does get lonely inside there, besides her aquatic friends. I wonder what she could be doing right now.

The image of her inside the cave pops up in my mind, and I just have to urge to be there.

"Rhys!" someone knocks on my door, "I heard the water running earlier, are you up? We really need to talk now. You can't avoid me forever!"

Obviously, that's Aunt Maine again. I shake my mind and remember my priorities. There are clearly things I must do, and I can't let anything be bothersome for me.

"You're right! I'll go downstairs in a bit, then we can talk!" I yell back.

It was silent on the outside for a bit then Aunt Maine finally responds, "I'll be waiting."

After prepping and fixing myself, I grab my bag full of everything I need and go downstairs. Both Aunt Maine and Gran was gathered in the living room.

Aunt hurriedly stood up when she saw me saying, "Oh, Rhys! Let's talk about our misunderstanding the other day. Sit down for a few minutes and I'm going to exp—"

I hold my hand up near her face because she was getting too close. I say, "I lied. We won't be talking today. I just wanted to say that Rose and I will carefully think about this first before we give you an answer. The moving may not be fully based on our decision, but you should hear us out when we talk. Sounds good?"

Aunt Maine was stunned—not exactly in a bad way, more of confused. She hesitates, "O-okay. I understand. Take your time, but I can't change the schedule, so you'll have to inform me by then."

"We have a deal. For now, I got to go. Might go home late, so don't bother cooking, if you do that sort of thing."

Aunt grabs something from the coffee table and reminds me, "You didn't eat the burger I bought you. Bring this with you."

I look at it hesitantly then receive it, "Thanks."

She smiles at me then leaves the room. I notice Gran was looking at me and was probably listening to our conversation.

"Go ahead, Rhys. You've been a busy man recently. You don't have to tell me anything now."

"Thanks too, Granny. Last night, both Rose and I were talking about what you told us. We'll keep that in mind. Speaking of Rose, where is she?"

"She just left. Rose also asked for you earlier and wanted to give you something."

I told her I'll ask about it later and we both bid our goodbye's. Once I step foot out of the house, I grab my phone to find some tunes. The Academic was the first thing that I saw, and I hit play.

~

don't leave me here, especially not with her

you've heard of people getting lost

and we don't even talk

~

Instantly knowing I was out of fuel the moment I step onto the dirt bike, I go to the gas station and fill it up. Which took an awkward amount of time because I've never filled up gas by myself. God, I hope they don't have public cameras directed on me. Before I leave, I go inside the convenient store and walk around hungry. I forgot to eat. Again. Realizing I still have money on me, I buy a couple extra food.

Inside the convenient store, one of my teachers was running to the school supply aisle and I tried my best to hide from him. Classes started 10 minutes ago, so he's definitely running late because he forgot something. If he knows I'm here, I'm screwed. Most teachers find me problematic even though I'm the biggest victim of bullying, and once I'm under their crutches, it's impossible to get out.

~

don't drink my fear when I've had too much

you've heard of people getting lost

i wanna see you in the dark

~

For a brief while, I find it sort of hilarious that it's the last week of school but I'm here wasting my money on food and driving around down figuring out my own personal shit. I mean, it's been a while since I've done any good bad decisions like this.

I have been way worse back then. The first months when dad left, I was skipping classes at least once a week because I got so annoyed with all the talk in school. Slowly, I realize the effect on this family and even though a part of me wanted to give up on trying to better it, I knew I had to get my shit together. I guess, that's sort of what's happening right now as well.

~

and it falls

and it breaks

and it turns into something new

~

I recheck my stuff to do for today. Right now, my main priority is to know the whole truth of my family. Though, I'm not exactly sure what I could do with that information afterwards. It's not like I could go up to people and tell them 'Oh hey! Every rumor you heard about me and my family is a lie. So, fuck you!' That's like, adding more fuel to the flame. All I know that it's important to me, at least.

After I scrunch in the random snacks I bought in my bag, I notice the flower crown inside that I stole from Malinda if she were to steal my sketchpad again. I roll my eyes. This adventure is the most important thing in my life right now… but I guess I have some time to spare to do the thing I thought of earlier first.

~

i say, "don't let me go"

and you say, "why can't we be friends?"

all night i watch it burn

and you say, "why can't we be friends?"

~