Page 4 of His White Moonlight
“You think?”I said, annoyed I hadn’t suppressed my emotions enough.
Not fighting him for the bag, I marched up the stairs.
He followed closely, not saying anything until we reached the door.
“Mom made sure everything was the same.”
She truly had.From the wallpaper to the posters to the way my bed was situated.Yet, there were changes, too.She’d added a vanity, and I saw I had an en-suite bathroom and a huge walk-in closet, where someone had already unpacked the things I’d shipped.
My modest wardrobe was either hanging or folded in the custom cabinetry drawers.The section dedicated solely to purses and shoes was empty.I didn’t look forward to explaining what happened to the gifts she’d sent over the years.
Bennett walked past me and set my bag in the closet.
“Do you need help unpacking?”he asked, sounding borderline impatient.
“No.”
He stared at me for a long moment before walking away.I watched him pull his phone from his pocket as he left my room.He was probably giving Mom an update, confirming he’d done his duty.
I sat on my bed and looked around the room again.Then, I sent a message to the group chat.
Me: If I’m no longer wanted, all you need to do is say the word, and I’ll leave.
Aiden: What are you talking about?
Karter: What happened?You’ve only been home ten minutes.
Me: Stop stalking me.Why does everyone get to see where I am all the time, but I can’t know where you are?Which is NOT HERE, by the way.Traitors.I thought you missed me.
Aiden: We do.
Karter: Life’s been boring without you.Do you know how many pack parties we had to suffer through alone while you were gone?
Me: Good.It was pre-karma for sticking me with Bennett as soon as I got home.
Aiden: What’d Bennett do?Did he hurt you?
Hurt me?Is Aiden insane?
Me: He’s just being his usual uptight self.When are you coming home?
Karter: Not sure.We’re being “groomed” for management.
Me: Okay.Then, I’ll come see you.
Aiden laughed at the message.
Aiden: Nice try.You just got home.Stay out of trouble until we can see you.
I was so annoyed that I tossed my phone onto my bed and went to unpack my bag.Once I finished, I checked out the vanity and the bathroom.Mom had thought of everything, as usual.I was still bothered that they’d moved my room without telling me, though.I’d been counting on the freedom of having a bedroom farther away from everyone.Or was that why they’d moved me?Did they already know I didn’t plan to stay?
Grabbing my phone, I sent another message.
Me: Thanks, Mom.The room is beautiful.I would have been fine with the downstairs room, though.It’s not like I’m going to be here that long anyway.
I bit my lip and waited for a reply.
Although I hadn’t come home in seven years, Mom and Dad often visited me at school to ensure I was doing fine.I never doubted their love for me.It drove every decision they made and every rule they established.But freedom from their suffocating love was something I really wanted.No, it was what Ineeded.
