I'll be spending a week in this horrible place... ick.
Yesterday, all the old ladies were talking - Mom, Selena, Zinnia and Oxidane were in the middle of a discussion as to who would chaperone me. I am quite convinced that I'll be fine alone but the fact is that I'm 16, and Archie only turns 16 in a few days. Here, you need to be 18 before getting your license, so we need rides anyway.
What about the bus or subway, you ask? Knowing my mother, she would never let me go on the bus.
She wouldn't mind me getting multiple ear piercings or obvious tattoos, but she would throw a fit if I ever went on the bus or metro - even if she's there, she would be nervous. And she especially HATED the idea of me going to the lab in general as a child. Now, I'm thinking... no wonder!
Mom portrayed herself as the perfect candidate to take us. As my mother, she knows everything about me, and has a 'mother's intuition'.
Selena wanted to go because she really wanted to meet her son. She gave a real tearjerker of a speech, about how she, knowing Aurelia better, can protect me, Archie and Helios.
Oxidane was their honorable chairperson, just sitting quietly and judging the discussion.
Zinnia was full of mixed feelings. She would have wanted to go, but she had memories of Helios she wanted to get rid of for good. She wanted to tell herself that he was dead.
At the same time, there is the fact that she's closer to my age.
I sat there, listening to the back-and-forth of the discussion, feeling more like a bystander than the person whose fate was being decided. Mom was adamant, insisting that her "mother’s intuition" made her the best choice. Selena countered with heartfelt pleas about needing to see Helios and being better suited to protect us from Aurelia.
Oxidane remained mostly silent, her eyes darting between the speakers, clearly weighing the pros and cons. Meanwhile, Zinnia seemed torn, her expression a mix of determination and hesitation. The memories of Helios weighed heavily on her, and I could see the internal conflict she was grappling with.
Finally, Oxidane broke her silence. "I think Zinnia should go," she said, her voice calm and authoritative. "She’s the closest in age to Aura, and she has the strength to face whatever comes our way. Plus, she has history with Helios, which could be important. It's a good balance."
Mom sighed, looking reluctant but understanding. "You're the one with the new law degree, Oxidane..." she said jokingly, before turning to her firstborn. "Take care of your sister and stay out of trouble."
Selena nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "Just… please take care of my son. If you see him, tell him that I miss him every day."
Zinnia took a deep breath, her resolve probably hardening. "I will, Selena. And I’ll make sure we all come back safe."
I did not linger to eavesdrop on the rest of the grown-ups talk. I had packing to do. Just as I was opening my bag, I heard a faint buzz and felt a vibration from my phone in my pocket. Archie had texted.
***
Archie: Hey, you excited for tomorrow?
I don't know how I should feel. :Aura
Archie: Come on, you know you're excited.
Okay, a bit, but I'm scared. Were we really that good? That's cool. : Aura
Archie: I think so. But I'm glad that at the contest... it didn't change anything between us.
Why would it? I mean, it's weird but still, we're just friends and that's all we will ever be. : Aura
Archie: Yeah, but you know, things can get awkward after competitions. People can change.
I don't see how anything could change. We're still the same people, right? We're too young for it all anyway. :Aura
Archie: True, true. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm glad we still get along so well.
That's a good thing. I'll be stuck with you the a full week! Might as well get asking." Aura
Archie: So, about tomorrow, did you finish packing?
Almost done. Just a few more things to throw in. What about you? :Aura
Archie: Same here. I can't believe we're actually going to the lab. It's going to be intense.
Tell me about it. : Aura
***
Day 1 was boring - too much theory for my liking. It's usually some scientist talking want, well... science!
Aurelia was quiet. Nothing from her end.
I wonder how it would be if she found out I'm her clone. Surprised? Maybe even horrified? The thought of her reaction keeps gnawing at me.
I spent most of the day taking notes, trying to stay focused, but my mind kept wandering back to the mystery surrounding Helios and the secrets hidden within these sterile walls. The lab was an eerie place, cold and impersonal, filled with advanced technology and the hum of machinery.,
Archie seemed to be enjoying himself, asking questions and engaging with the scientists. His enthusiasm was infectious, but I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Being here, under Aurelia's watchful eye, made me feel like a specimen under a microscope.
It's all weird but there's more - I can feel it. But until day 2 arrives, I'm just going to sleep... shouldn't stay up writing anymore.
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