Broken

• Chapter 148 •

"Mom? Dad? You guys home?" I ask as I drop my bags onto the floor.

Dad sprints out of his room and scoops me into his arms, tightening his grip on me. My insides melt at his comforting embrace. I hadn't realized how much I've missed him.

"I missed you, Minty!"

I grin, "Missed you, too."

"Don't mind me," mom shrugs as she comes out of their room. She looks different, her aura is lighter... Happier.

My heart flutters, is she back? For good? Dad laughs and pulls back to let mom give me a hug.

"I missed you," I tell her truthfully. "I know," she sighs.

I frown at her as she grins. She should smile more often, it suits her. She stands in front of dad, my eyes dart between them, "So... How was your trip?"

"I was amazing!" mom gushes.

"We freaked so many people out," dad laughs.

"What did you do?" do I even want to know?

"He ran up to strangers, introduced himself in an extremely upbeat and friendly mood, and at the end of the conversation he went it was nice to meet you. It's so cool to talk to people outside the asylum and walked away!" mom laughs.

I snort and pinch the bridge of my nose. My parents are literal children. They burst out laughing and continue telling me about all of their wild experiences at Disneyland. They seem happier than I've seen them in a long time, I'm so overwhelmed with relief when they tell me they're figuring things out and are back together. Guess this entire trip idea worked after all...

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I roll around in bed, trying to decide what else to do for Ashton's birthday. I have the evening planned, but I want to do stuff in the morning, too. I groan and dial Aya's number.

"Clementineeeee!"

"Hey Aya, can you add Hana to this call?"

"How do I do that?" there's a pause, and a beep, "Oh, got it."

"Hola chicas," Hana quips.

I sigh, "Shut up Hana, you're not Latina."

"HAHAHAHA I SWEAR," Aya laughs obnoxiously.

"Whatever man, shut up. Why are you calling?" Hana mumbles

"I need advice on what to do for Ashton's birthday, tomorrow."

"Did you want to throw him a party?" Aya questions.

I grimace, "Nah. Ashton's a private guy, I don't think he'd really like a party."

"Mhm, so you're thinking of something a little more PRIVATE, hmmm?" Hana implies in a weird tone of voice.

I cringe, "Yeah... That's what I just said..."

"Why don't you get him a box of chocolates and like have a cute date with candles and stuff?" she suggests.

I frown, "Because he's not gay, or Aya, Hana."

Aya laughs so hard my eardrum almost breaks, "Fuck youuuuu! Just suck his dick then!"

I snort, "Okay. Already planning on doing that."

"EEEEWWWWW! Y'all are NASTY!" Hana projectile-vomits.

Aya and I break into laughter. "Anyway, you guys are useless. I'll figure it out, won't be coming to school tomorrow so I'll see you the day after. Byeee," I tell them before hanging up.