Operation M.I.A: Missing in Action (IN NEED OF REVISING)

Chapter III

Mackenzie takes a deep breath, and after exhaling, says, "You're right, Shanna. I'm thinking too much about this. I just need to relax."

After that, the conversation is sort of dropped abruptly. We then start chit-chattering about other forms of nonsense. While Heath's telling us a story about him accidentally locking himself out of his house (not surprising, considering the dumbass he can be sometimes), Mia's phone rings. She steps away to answer it, and comes back a couple of minutes later.

"Mackenzie, our mom just called. She said she wants to take us out to dinner tonight," Mia says after returning.

"But it's only 5:04 PM. We don't normally eat dinner this early," Mackenzie replies, confused.

"Hey, I don't decide when we eat dinner. Let's get moving." With that, Mia and Mackenzie walk outside, and we give each other our goodbyes. After they shut the door, I look at the rest of the group, and I can see right away that we're all on the same page in terms of one thing.

Something has to be wrong here. If it's true that Mia and Mackenzie don't normally go out to eat this early in the afternoon, then there's a deeper meaning behind their family's decision.

MACKENZIE

Music: Free Flyer from Gradius Arcade

Our parents end up taking Mia and I to Chipotle, a fan favorite from both of us (primarily Mia). It's not often that they take us out to eat at Chipotle, and it's less often that all four of us eat dinner out somewhere, period. I mean, it's nice and all, but considering all that's happened so far today, the timing just seems weird. But whatever.

My mom orders for us while Mia and I scan the place for a good table to sit at. We end up picking a table close to the exact center of the room. Our parents join us a few minutes later, with my mom carrying two rice bowls, one for me and one for Mia. Rice bowls are the favorite of both of us (again, primarily Mia).

"Thanks for taking us out tonight," Mia says as she happily begins digging into her food.

"Anytime, honey," my mom replies, smiling. Her eyes, however, show a hint of nervousness in them. What she could be nervous about, I have no idea.

We all eat in silence for a couple more minutes following that, and then my mom looks at my dad for a second. She doesn't say anything, but at one point, she seems to be motioning my way. My dad ever-so-slightly shrugs and adds in a nod. I keep my head lowered while I'm eating so it doesn't seem like I'm watching them.

Then, my mom says, "Oh, I think I left my wallet in the car. Mia, could you go get it for me?" Normally, you pay when you're requesting your order at the front table, so this catches me a little bit off guard.

"Sure!" Mia replies. My mom hands Mia the car keys, and she gets up and leaves. I notice my mom's wallet sitting in her jeans pocket, and I can see her wallet sticking out of it.

"Um, mom, your wallet's right there. Besides, you should've already paid by now. Why are you making Mia go look for it?" I ask.

My parents both look at each other and sigh quietly. My mood goes from confused to a little bit frightened. "Um... what's going on? Is there something you want to tell me?" I ask.

Dad takes a deep breath and answers, "Mackenzie... your birth parents called earlier. They were very excited to learn that you're here with us now, and they're coming in two weeks to see you."

At first, I'm excited. "That's awesome!" Then I hinge on one little detail in his sentence. "But... why are they waiting two weeks?"

Music: Gaia from Gradius IV

This is the question my mom answers. "Because... they're trying to get the courts to switch over custody of you from us to them. If that happens, they will take you home with them when they come here."

Now my eyes widen, my mouth drops open but nothing comes out of it, and my stomach is at a maximum level of queasiness. "What!?" I exclaim. "Y-you can't let them do this to me!"

"Honey, calm down," my dad tells me, shushing me and putting a hand on my shoulder. "We don't really have a say in this matter at the moment. Nothing's even been confirmed yet."

"B-but... surely I have a say! I don't want to switch families again! I'm happy here! This is my home!" I'm not necessarily yelling, but the conversation is getting the attention of some people sitting at the tables around us. I don't care, however.

"Mackenzie, we don't even know if the change is going to be made," my mom says. "So until we learn more, this stays between us. Don't tell your friends anything yet."

"But what about Mia?"

"We'll tell her when we feel the time is right. You know how her past has been; she won't be too happy with learning that she's going to lose another sibling. Again, don't say anything to her either."

I'm about to continue the discussion, but Mia has finished her search in the car and is now heading back inside. So I simply stop talking about it, although I give them a pouty face as my final argument.

When Mia sits back down with us, none of us say a word to her about my possible leave. None of us say anything, period. Mia either doesn't notice the somber mood or doesn't care. I can barely muster up the strength to finish the rest of my rice bowl.

I don't care what the law says, there is NO way I am going to leave the friends and family who mean the world to me.

The question is... how well will I be able to fight?

Had this idea for a short story a while ago, then decided it would be an interesting subplot to incorporate into this story as well. This one's gonna be fun to play with. :)

Having a bit of trouble figuring out how the next chapter should start, but hoping to make some steady progress over the Easter weekend.