Page 62 of Autumn Secrets
“Good morning,” I said and walked into the kitchen. I stopped and stared at her for a moment.My mum was a reaper.I shook my head. That was something I couldn’t think about too much right now.
“Good morning. You’re up early. Did you go for a walk?” Mum asked nervously. She could definitely sense where my thoughts had taken me.
I cleared my throat. “Yeah, I went to see Mr and Mrs Peters.”
“Oh, okay? Would you like to talk about it?” she asked, and I couldn’t miss the hurt in her eyes. She had always been my number-one person to seek help from. I hated that we’d come to this, but I was still so hurt by her actions. I admit, I wasn’t feeling as much anger as I’d felt that night when the truth was finally revealed, but still enough to keep my distance for now.
I swallowed. “Maybe another time?”
“Whenever you are ready.” She got up from her chair to put her cup in the dishwasher, then turned around to face me. “Aurora, I understand that you’re angry with me, I really do. But isn’t it better if we talk about all of this?”
“I want to, but not right now. I still need some time to wrap my head around all of this chaos. It’s a lot to deal with.”
She nodded. “I know, and that’s why I think we should talk about it. It’s important for both of us.”
“And we will, just not today.”
She sighed. “Okay, if that’s what you want. However, we do need to talk about one thing this morning.”
“Oh?” Here we go, I thought to myself. She wants to know where I was last night. I’d already thought about it as I was driving home. If she asked, I would say I was at Jasmine’s place.
“I need to go to London. Just for a couple of days.”
“Okay.” I waited for her to say something about last night, but she didn’t. “Why?” My first thought was that she was going to try and take me away again.
Mum must have noticed where my mind was going, because she quickly added, “It’s work-related, don’t worry. I’m not going to abduct you or anything.”
“I wasn’t thinking that…”
“You were, and I don’t blame you. You have every right to be suspicious. I know I’ve given you plenty of reasons to doubt my motives at the moment.”
“Yes, you certainly have.”
She sighed and nodded. “I know. Do you know what? Why don’t you come with me to London? We’ll drive down to the airport on Friday night, and stay at a hotel until our flight on Saturday morning. We’ll be back Tuesday night. It would be good for us.”
She looked at me with hope in her eyes, waiting for me to say something.
I shook my head. “I can’t. I have an essay that needs to be finished before the school holidays, and I actually want to stay here with my friends. Besides, it’s the school’s autumn party. I don’t want to miss it. Sorry, Mum.”
“That’s okay. I’m actually glad that you want to stay. I feel like you have really settled in here, and it makes me happy.”
“Me too.” I couldn’t help but smile. I had more than settled in here. I felt like I was finally home, and I was starting to understand why I felt so at peace here. I belonged here.
“So, what are you wearing to this party?” Mum asked.
“I have no idea. I have to ask Lexi to help me.”
“That will be interesting.” Mum chuckled.
“It certainly will; you know Lexi and you know me.”
“I sure do. Let me know if you need some money. And feel free to have a look in my wardrobe. I might have something if you’re running out of ideas.”
“Thanks, Mum.”
As I made my way into school later that morning, my mind abandoned all thoughts of supernatural occurrences, autumn parties or my complicated relationship with Mum. Instead, I found myself excited to see Adrian again. I didn’t have to wait long. Once I stepped inside the school, I felt him straight away. My eyes started searching, and I found him leaning against a locker in the end of the corridor. I smiled and was just about to walk over, when Mia bumped into my shoulder, giggling.
“Some things never change, huh?”