Mortal & Malignant

BITTERNESS

"John, I think Serenity is at the door. Did she tell you she was coming?" I heard my mother's voice through the door.

"No, i didn't know, Let me get it," I heard the heavy thumps of my father's footsteps, and the sound of the doorknob turning.

I put on a smile, a facade as I saw my father's face emerge from behind the door.

I watched as he began to beam as he saw me standing on the front porch.

"Honey, what are you doing here at this time? It's getting late, but come in! Your mother would love to see you," I leaned forward and latched onto my father, holding him tight.

"I'm sorry, I just missed you guys already," I muttered as I spoke, with my face in his chest.

The warmth radiating off of him was comforting, I felt the goosebumps on my arms fade away momentarily.

"Well, come inside sweetie, it's too chilly out here," he released himself from the hug and lightly wrapped his arm around my back to push me inside the door.

"Serenity, how are you hunny! We didn't expect to see you here," I looked over at my mother and saw that she was packing away dishes.

I felt compassion for her and knew I should've tried to helped, but I didn't have enough energy anymore.

I instead walked further into the house and stood between my mother in the kitchen and my father in the dining room.

"I just popped by because my class will be going on a trip for our studies, if I want to travel with them I have to be ready tommorow, since I'm a bit late," I felt so mentally drained, yet still regulated what little emotion I had left.

How could I tell them the truth?

I was concerned by the veracity of my words, yet I knew they wouldn't question a thing because they trust me.

Should they trust me, or should I be telling them the truth?

All I can imagine is my poor mother getting the police involved, and getting violently murdered for her terrible misunderstanding.

"This seems quite sudden, where will you be going?" My mother asked. I began to look around, questioning what I should say.

"I have forgotten a few things, but my friends will refresh my memory soon and I can tell you all about it. I've never had the chance to do this before and you know I love the rush," I looked up at my mum, then back at my father who was sitting at the dining room table, slightly behind where I was facing.

"Well, as long as you know what you're doing. When do you think you'll be back?" My father asked in uncertainty.

I nervously put my right hand in my pocket as I continued to suppress my emotions.

"Probably in a couple weeks or so. I'll be super busy so I'll do my best to keep in contact," I wandered carelessly towards my mother, almost tripping over my own feet before wrapping my arms around her tightly.

I could see I startled her as she threw her hands up in the air, before she slowly wrapped her arms around me in retaliation.

"I'm going to miss you guys even more now," I almost stuttered as I spoke, seeing the bitter-sweet look on my mother's face. 

"You'll be back soon anyway Serenity, it'll be okay," I heard my father's voice coming from behind me to some degree, as I was slanting further towards my mother.

I briskly turned towards him and gave an insecure smile.

"I love you guys, but I have to go now. Adrian's waiting for me outside, I'll give one of you a ring when I get the chance," I shifted lethargically towards the door and opened it while trying to conceal the reality of my hands shaking in fear.

"We love you too sweetheart, just get some rest before you do anything, You're looking very dull today," I looked up at mum as she trudged over in her slippers to usher me out the door.

'I will mum, I promise," I leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"Bye dad," I peared around the door that my mother was holding ajar.

"Love you hunny, hope to hear from you soon," I slowly moved out of the doorway and down the small set of steps at the bottom of the porch.

I looked over and saw Adrian staring intently at me through a cracked window.

I ambled through the street while staring back at him before reaching the passenger side of the car.

After opening the car door, i slowly but surely sat down in the car seat.

"I can't believe that might be goodbye," I began to sigh as there was agony on the tip of my tongue.

"It won't have to be goodbye, please don't start saying things like that already," his voice began to crack and break, I could see the tears he had been holding back for so long.

"So, what happens now?" He attempted to clear his voice and made every effort to change his demeanour.

"I don't know, I just want to spend our last bit of time together not thinking about all of this," I said.

There was a momentary pause of silence as we both started to cerebrate, as we were thinking of the future.

I knew that kiss could've meant something in our future, but I don't know if I'll see him again.

I turned to look out the window and took in a heavy breath. 

"Where should we go before I have to leave? I don't know how much time i have left," I progressely turned my head to Adrian before slumping my shoulders.

He scratched his head as he began to ponder on what to do.

"Do you want to come to mine for a little bit? There's plenty of food there and we can sit out the back, maybe do a bit of stargazing?" He asked.

I stared at him intently as i felt a fraction of my face light up.

"I'd love to," I smiled at him with sincerity, then looked back at the road in front of us.

"Alright, well head there now then," Adrian started the car with a jolt, but for the most of it, was driving safely.

He took a shortcut down a road I had never seen before, the street lights looked dimmer and the houses all looked dead, and empty.

Before I even knew it, we arrived at his home.

Adrian hastily ducked out of the car and dashed to my door, only just opening it before I could.

"I guess today is the day to show you chivalry isn't dead," I always said Adrian was brass-necked, and days like today when the nerves kicked in reminded me that the jokes can become a whole lot less comical.