From Within [IN PROGRESS]

Chapter 7: Closer

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•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•I scooped up a piece of warm chicken and placed it into my mouth. I almost moaned at how perfectly seasoned it was.

Damian sat to the right of me, and Raven sat to the left. Danielle and her husband, who I learned who's name was Steven, sat in front of us.

"Danielle, the food taste amazing." Steven shoved another spoonful into his mouth, and Danielle laughed. She slapped him playfully, and forced a whisper towards him. "We have a guest, hunny. Please don't eat your food like a caveman."

He sent her a wink. "I can't eat slowly when your food is this good." Raven groaned next to me at the sight of her parents and I giggled. She sent me a grin, and I sent her one back.

"So, Alex, where do you plan on going to college at the end of the year?" Steven spoke up.

Ah, there it is. The ultimate question.

"Anywhere they'll accept me. I'm hoping somewhere out of state." I sent him a small smile. He sent me a forced smile, and I saw his eyebrows scrunch up in confusion.

"You don't like it here?" He asked.     I shook my head quickly. "No, no. It's not that. I just really enjoy traveling. I've stayed here mostly my whole life, so I would like to try something new."

It was a lie. I just said the same choreographed speech that I said to everyone when they asked me that awful question.

I didn't want to tell them it was because I saw my parents everywhere I went. In every gas station, every movie theatre, every park. Everywhere I looked, memories of them resurfaced. I needed to get away. I needed to move on.

Danielle laughed. "Damian is the same way. Always wanting to go out and explore. He's always doing all types of dangerous things."

Damian groaned. "Thanks, Mom. Appreciate it." She sent him a small smile and wink, "you're welcome, son".

The digital time presented on the clock behind Steven and Danielle that it was already 8:30. "Oh! I am so sorry, but I think I should head out. My Aunt will be expecting me home soon. Thank you so much for the food." I began to stand up.

"I'll walk you home." I heard from my right, and I saw Damian getting up from his chair as well.

"No need, I'm only a few houses down. Stay here and finish dinner, I'll be okay." I sent him a reassuring smile. He just rolled his eyes. "I'm coming. End of conversation." He began to walk to the front door. Grouch.

"Again, thank you so much for the dinner." I sent them all one last smile before walking to where Damian was. He was holding open the front door, waiting for me to follow. After stepping out in the warm air outside,  I sighed and took a deep breath in.

"What are you doing? Why do you look like a dying fish?" Damian commented from behind me. I sent him a glare. "It's perfect outside. It's refreshing. Whenever I can't sleep, I just come outside and breathe. It makes me relax and forget all about my..."

Parents

"Problems."

He just nods. "I get that. When I lived in Chicago I would just walk the streets at night. It was also so cold and windy, but it helped me clear my mind."

Before I knew it, we were in front of my house. Slight disappointment twisted in my stomach, knowing our conversation was coming to an end. For some reason, I felt like today he was opening up to me. Between the photo in his room and the topic about moving, I learned more about him.

Maybe he wasn't too bad after all.

Walking up to my door, I turned to face him. "Well, this is me. I guess I'll see you tomorrow, or something. " I faked a smile. I was sad, and I didn't want to end tonight. I genuinely enjoyed dinner and the conversation at their house. It felt like for once I finally had a family.

Family

I shook off the word. Aunt May was my family. I didn't need parents and sibilings to have a family. But still, the feeling of having them around me, it made me feel like a part of something. It felt like the life I should have had. But never will.

"Goodnight Alex." Damian said, walking down the concrete steps of my porch.

"Goodnight Damian." I began to open the door, but his voice stopped me before I could step inside.

"Hey, Alex?" Damian hummed from the sidewalk.

I sent him a glance. "Yes, Damian?"

He winked at me.

"Sweet dreams."