Page 127 of Habits

Strong and blinding.

I open my mouth to scream, but nothing comes out. Metal crashes, my body moving with the impact and then … only darkness.

Andrew

“Care to explain to me why we’re here again?”

I don’t move my eyes from the house standing before me. It’s not as big as I remember, but it sure is as terrifying. Not that I would ever admit that out loud.

We’ve been sitting in my car for almost twenty minutes because I haven’t mustered enough courage to get out and get this over with.

“You could have gone with Derek. Nobody asked you to come with.”

The lights are turned on on the ground floor, and I can see people mingling around the house.

What is she doing? Is she preparing dinner? I don’t remember seeing her much in the kitchen when I was younger.

“And look at him grope Lia the whole time?” From the corner of my eye, I can see Max roll his eyes. “No, thank you.”

I tilt my head to the side. “Jealous?”

“Of what? Derek and Lia? Please, I knew they were destined to be together from the first day of school. I think it was the way Derek stared at me like he wanted to launch at me and break every bone in my body when Lia and I entered the classroom. But don’t go getting off topic here. We were talking about you.”

Busted.

I scratch the nape of my neck, not knowing what to say. Or even if I want to say anything.

When I said I had shit to take care of, the last thing I expected was that Max, of all people, would be the one to offer to go with me. But then again, I shouldn’t be surprised. Max offered to help Derek win back Lia, even though I would bet he had some kind of feelings toward the girl during that time.

It’s always the quiet, cute ones who wrap you around their little finger the tightest.

Or in your case, sexy, raven-haired girls with sharp tongues.

“I’m here to ask my mother why she left and never looked back,” I blurt out.

Tense silence fills the car.

My eyes are still zeroed in on the house and the shadows moving around inside. Two silhouettes come closer. They talk for a while, I suppose, and he must have said something funny because she throws her head back, laughing.

Did she ever laugh in our house?

His hand reaches forward, tucking a strand of her long hair behind her ear.

Uncomfortable, I turn my head in the other direction.

“Andrew, I …”

“You don’t have to say anything. You’re not from here, and it’s been ages, so I suppose you haven’t heard.” I shrug nonchalantly. “I don’t need nor want your pity.”

“Pity you? You’re too big of a douchebag for anybody to pity you.” Max is trying to lighten the mood; I can see it in his eyes. He laughs it off, but when the laughter slowly dies, his face grows serious again. “You don’t visit her?”

I chuckle. “As far as everybody else is concerned, I don’t even know she’s here.”

I throw a quick glance at the window. The shadows are nowhere in sight, but the light is still on. I should probably use this opportunity and get it over with. Still, my body stays glued to the seat.

“You didn’t want it …?”

“She took her shit and left,” I interrupt him. “She left, and she never looked back. I found out by coincidence later on that she moved back here.”

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