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The Homecoming
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-
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"Dakota, I hoped you've learned your lesson. I hope to meet you again . . . just not here." the old hag laughed, whilst stared at her blankly.
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Three years.
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It's been three years ever since I was . . . thrown here. Three years ever since that incident and let's just say, that I changed. Three years in juvie can do that.
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Three years without much news about my 'family', who visited occasionally. I doubt that they would treat me as their daughter or sister now that I'm back.
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But hear this, I do not care. Not anymore. No one believed me when I tried to explain myself. Tried. It's like they've already had their mind set, and won't hear my side anymore. Imagine my parent's pure disappointment when the police called. Gone were the love and trust they had for me, and was replaced by a pained look. They already disowned me as soon as they arrived at the station.
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"It is all our fault, officer. We've been too busy at work to notice our daughter... swinging the wrong way. We knew we shouldn't have left them alone!" my mother had said, looking at me as she shook her head. She looked at me like I'm a failure, a disgrace.
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That fucking hurt... a lot.
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I adjusted my leather jacket as a distraction, and turned away from her.
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Damn, one more minute with this hag, I swear I will rip her throats out. Her laugh's slowly getting on my nerves-- fuck it, it's been ever since she came to accompany me at the hall.
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My luggage were sitting on the side, as I patiently waited for them to arrive--not. The old hag keeps babbling and babbling about something, something that I didn't care about. I looked at her irritably.
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And finally after a few minutes that feels like an eternity, a familiar car pulled up in front of the building. I kept my expressionless mask on, and watched as Zynah, my sister, opened the door. When our eyes met she gave me a wary smile, I answered with a slight nod.
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"Oh, lookie lookie. You're sister's here!" the old hag cackled again. I never knew what her name is, since old hag has been her official name ever since I stepped foot here.
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"Quit laughing, will you?" I snapped harshly. "You do realize that you're always laughing without any reason, right? Are you really sure that you're still normal?"
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She finally, finally, fell silent.
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"D-dakota..."
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I turned to my sister, and assessed the changes that happened over the years: her once waist-length hair was now styled into a pixie cut, bags are now circling her eyes, wrinkles lining at the edge. No doubt they have been fussing over me coming home. And of course she matured. But her eyes . . . I can't- and I refuse- understand the emotions swirling there.
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What? Does she honestly think that I'm going to do something? Huh. Ridiculous.
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"Hey." I murmured. She once again eyed me warily, but helped me with my things anyways. I silently went inside the car.
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The four hour drive back to our house is boring. It is very awkward, to say at least. My sister tried to hold a conversation with me, but always end up in dead air. I am the one feeling awkward for her. I was in no mood to talk. She got the hint after a bunch of attempted conversations, and silently drove home.
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[~]
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As soon as the Zynah parked the car, maids scurried in to help carry my bags. I just stood and let my eyes wander, noticing that the guards . . . somewhat doubled. I've always been observant. I also noticed that there are a few who kept shooting me glances, scrutinizing me.
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It is no secret that our family is loaded.
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I shoot them a nonchalant glance, but on the inside I was seething. Do they honestly think I would kill them right then and there?
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And of course, as the years passed, I learned to keep my mouth shut; no one would care to even listen. So what's the use?
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"Dakota." cold voice reached my ears when we passed by the living room. I briefly closed my eyes before slowly turning to face her. There stood Donna, my 'mom', all formal standing in the hallway. Coldness seeped through her eyes as she looked at me.
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I matched her coldness, and nodded as a greeting. Seeing that I will not to answer anytime soon, she continued. "It's good to see you home." she formally said.
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I clenched my fist. So that's it then, she's the one who gets to act all cold when she isn't the one who was sent there? You've got to be fucking kidding me! Ever since I was sent there, I refused to call her mom anymore. Just a biological mom. She lost all the rights ever since I- we changed. What kind of sane mother would believe what others said than her own daughter? What kind of sane mother would send their daughter to a juvie without hearing her daughter's side?
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I answered her with an equally cold voice. "Wish I could say the same, mom." I sarcastically emphasized mom.
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"Are you still angry about us sending you there? It's for your own-"
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I turned my back to her. I do not want to hear that rotten line ever again. Three years ago, and that's still her lame excuse.
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"Mama... no, don't send me there. I swear I didn't do anything!" I pleaded hopelessly.
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"Dakota, honey, don't worry. It's for your own good. You'll be fine there, we promise." Mama said, but there was a strange undertone in her voice. Her tone's now hard; no longer loving.
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That's her last words before I was sent to the juvie. I pushed the thoughts away, and walked towards my room, leaving Donna all by herself.
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As I walked, I noticed another thing: the walls were adorned with my sisters' pictures, none of me. It's all of Zynah's, Zoe, Zarene and my parents. Three years ago, I might have cried because of this, but now, the hell I care?
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My room was also different, the walls aren't pink anymore (which I'm now thankful), instead it's now gray. Most of my things are still there, or maybe they brought it bavlck here since I'm well, here.
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"We're sorry. It became a temporary guest room. It's up to you if you want to change anything. Zynah said behind me.
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"Okay."
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She pulled me into a hug befpre I can close the door. "I'm... I'm so glad you're back. You don't know how much I missed you these past years." she sniffled into my sholder and gave me another squeeze before letting go.
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"Uhm. Sorry, I just miss you so much. I-I got carried away. I'll let you rest now and see you at dinner." she gave me another bright smile before heading out, probably to her room.
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[~]
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Dinner was awkward.
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My mom kept giving me glances with a tensed and alert posture, as if calculating my every move. Ate Zynah was oblivious, as kept bringing up a conversation or two. Every time my mom talks with my sister, my mom would drop the posture and would happily tell a story of her own. Me? I was busy pushing my food around my plate, completely bored.
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"Hey Dakota! Why are you not eating? The food's delish." Ate Zynah said when she noticed me not eating.
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"Not hungry." I shrugged my shoulders. I saw that she visibly deflated, and opened her mouth to say something when our mother cut her off.
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"It's okay, dear. She must've been tired from the trip."
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Ate Zynah smiled slightly, and continued eating.
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"Oh. By the way, Dakota, I'm informing you that you're starting your senior year in a week." She continued
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A carrot fell from my plate. "What?"
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"I said, you're going back to Merston High to finish your senior year." She repeated. "You'll start on Tuesday next week, because I still have to finish your paperwork. It's halfway the school year though, but I hope you would catch up..." she droned on, but I tuned her out.
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Back to school.
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So . . . yipee, I guess?
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****
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a/n: Hi! it's boring, I know.
