“Mom, Dad?! What are you guys doing here?” I frantically ran to their side like a lost puppy.

My parents never came to our school together, this was a first.

I began to panic as I thought that maybe they were here together because there’s an emergency. But what could it be? Did a relative die? Is our house burnt down? Is my Mother pregnant? Does she have cancer?

Dad laid a hand on my shoulder, “cálmate cariño, estamos aquí para recoger a tus hermanos, tienen cita con el médico.” [ calm down honey, we are just here to pick up your brothers, they have a doctor’s appointment. ]

I looked at him wide-eyed. I had totally forgotten that I was crying. I began to set into panic mode again as the thought of them noticing my tears jolted inside me.

“No, you guys can’t be here! I'll get them, just go back to your c-” I tried.

It was too late. They had noticed my damp, red eyes. My father was the first to speak, “¿estabas llorando?,” [ were you crying? ]

I didn't want to lie, I couldn't lie.

I admitted I was crying, but didn't elaborate more on the matter. My mother opened her mouth, but was cut off by the voice of Antony.

“Mom? Dad? What are you guys doing here?” I turn on my heels, casting my hair in front of my face to conceal my swollen eyes.

“Ginger?” I looked up to see him walking closer to me. He grabs my hand, pulling it from my face. My hair fell back in its normal state- around my face- revealing my eyes.

Antony’s jaw clench in anger, making me feel guilty of how guilty he will feel after learning he was the cause. Just as he was going to speak, mother spoke, “we be wait in car. Meet outside.” Antony and Grey shakes their heads, their brows in a straight line as they study my face.

As my parents turned the corner, Antony began, “who. Fucking. Made you cry?!”

The guilt causes me to collapse into his chest and I wrap my arms around his neck, “no one,” I croak.

Grey joins in and I wrap an arm around his neck too.

The feelings in that moment were unbearable. It made me think back to this morning, how Antony was so cold to me. The thought made me cry harder into his chest. Grey hugged me tighter as I did so.

We stayed like that for what seemed like hours. Then Antony pulled away, “was it a bo-”

The doors to the cafeteria burst open, a sea of students flooding the hallway. Lunch had finished.

Grey looks at me, “we’ll continue this later.”

I nod my head, praying that they forget before “later” comes around.

_________________

My prayers were answered as it was not mentioned all afternoon. But I knew the peace in my home wouldn't last. As I’ve invited Alex over to get a heads start on our project, knowing one big rule in our house was: I couldn’t have any boys over.

Luckily, it was going to only be Alex. Hope that makes the cut!