A/N: Vote now so you don't forget!🙂

"You're saying they brought it up out of nowhere?" Mum scanned the consent form Tali had spent an hour working on for the third time after her question.

   It had taken much more time to come up with the right story that could convince Mum of my reasons for leaving our home today. By the time Talise and I were done, the draining feeling we experienced went beyond the physical.

   When you had to lie to a strong, black, single mother juggling a job, med school and a daughter, it did things to your soul.

   Terrible, terrible things.

"No, not really." I resisted the urge to crumble under her eyes that switched over to peer at me. "It's a kind of compensation for how Liberation Week went down...that parents have to pay for. Well, except me."

"When this," she gestured to the letter. "says that the scholarship covers the costs, what exactly does it mean?"

"The standard stuff; food, accommodation, transportation." The expression in her features from my response was nearly impossible to decipher.

"Okay, so if I allow you to go to..." she paused. "...uh, what's the name of the place again?"

"The Modern Village Center. Zavlon Academia taking its students on an educational trip to the Modern Village Centre." I refused to expose my frustration as I went ahead to elaborate further on the place...again.

   It was currently the most talked about venue for its ability to create a blend of the history, technology and innovations of prehistoric, classical, middle ages and the early modern periods with that of the modern era. The creators of the venue also included their own futuristic tech and innovations.

   It had been the most visited site in the world since its initial launch two years ago and attracted the most influential bodies in the world of science and technology. It was the perfect place for Zavlon Academia to choose for a field trip, enough for Mum to swallow this lie hook, line and sinker.

"Right. Assuming I allow you to go to this place, will we be able to get your luggage and everything else ready in time? Let me check the date. They should've given you at least three to five days to prepare." My mother examined the paper in her hold. "We still can't take any chances, tho—"

   Her abrupt silence was an indication that she'd seen the date on the fake form. The tense atmosphere that built between us went straight to trigger my shaky hands.

"Beth." The daring tone triggered befitting flashbacks.

"Yes? Mummy?"

   Suddenly, I was taken back to my younger years. I was between the ages of four and ten once more, standing over a glass bowl or cup I had broken after showing Mum a dance routine she wasn't interested in seeing in the first place. I was getting my head stuck in a traffic cone I was warned to ignore. I received the worst smack in my life after deciding to make myself the lab rat of one of my first ever machine remakes which resulted in my being put on bed rest for a broken arm and leg.

   This was caused by the machine, not the smack.

   Thankfully.

"This says it's tomorrow." My mother seethed. "You're supposed to leave for Zavlon Academia tomorrow."

"Yeah," I said.

"And you deemed it prudent to tell me only today? During my lunch break at the hospital?" The disapproving stares her yell attracted didn't faze her. "I'm pretty sure you won't have any trouble predicting whether I'm allowing you."

"I wanted to tell you sooner, Mum, you've got to believe me," I replied with clasped hands. "I understand your reaction and you have to know I made many attempts to tell you, but you've been so swamped with school and work lately. I wasn't trying to be another burden on your plate."

"How can you say that? You are not a burden." She shook her head with a firm gaze. "I'll never be too busy for you. You could have told me anyway."

"I realise my mistake by not doing so and I'm so sorry. But this is a great opportunity. If my scholarship to Zavlon has taught me anything, it's not to let such things pass by. Please, Mum."

   My tear filled stare refused to break eye contact until my mother looked away. When she rested her head into cupped hands on the table we were sharing and let out a breath-filled sigh, I knew I had her.

   I was such a horrible person. How was I still stomaching my lunch?

"Do you have everything packed at least?" She whispered, lifting her head.

"Toiletries, half of the emergency money in the jar, fresh clothes and everything else you remember that I can't at the moment," I reported.

"Okay, good to know." Her face fell. "I have another late study session today so I can't spend the night with you, but don't worry, I'll drive you to school tomorrow."

"Another thing," I could only hope that my manipulative expression was hanging in there a little while longer. "This was a later decision that's why it wasn't included in the form, but we're supposed to converge at Zavlon's Quarters tonight. They want us to leave for the place first thing in the morning."

"Beth..." she uttered my name in a frustrated groan, pounding on the fragile table. "You're really not making my decision to allow you to go easy. Is there anything else I should know before I change my mind?"

"No, I promise." I waved my hands in protest. "I just wanted you to process the most important news first."

"Well, now I'm definitely taking you." She proceeded to rise from her seat. "Let me talk to the person in charge about transferring my shift to another—"

"Mum, relax!" I forced a careless laugh as I gripped her stiff hands. "As much as I'd love that, Minji will be picking me up soon so I'll have to head home."

"Okay." She nodded with pursed lips.

   I walked into the arms she outstretched as she got up from her seat and let her engulf me into an embrace.

"Two weeks will be over before we know it," I said into the crook of her neck. "I'll be back in no time, I promise."

"I know."

   I leaned in deeper, not wanting to part from her comforting hands, her smell, just yet. Long enough to commit them to memory. Maybe if I convinced myself that I was returning in to see her in two weeks like she did, I would actually believe it.

"Call me when you get to school, you hear me?" She said, releasing me with a sniffle.

"I will." I cleared the lump in my throat. "I'll miss you, Mum."

"I'll miss you too."

   The sounds that erupted during our walk to the hospital's entrance were from everywhere else but us. My grip on her hands nevertheless stayed firm until our brief journey to the exit came to an end. I retained my stance outside as she returned to the natural commotion of Ridgeton Hospital, portraying my most reassuring smile even after she was long gone.

   The moment I finally gathered the courage to turn away, heated drops of salty tears escaped my eyes with a vengeance. Withholding them was beyond useless. I didn't have to try to know that.

   So I didn't.

   After wiping my tears and deciding I'd pulled myself together the best way I possibly could, I walked toward the building where Camila was supposed to be waiting, a few blocks away from the hospital. I hadn't said a word since we reunited and got into the taxi she ordered.

   As the vehicle made its turns through the streets to get toward the route that led one out of Ridgeton, my eyes roamed around the places I grew up knowing and not noticed I loved until now. It hit me that Mum and Mr. Shin may not be the only ones that I was going to miss after all.

"Rav and Dorian have found the motel Tali's friend in StirWall recommended," she said.

   StirWall, the district Tali and I chose as our hideout, was not too close to Ridgeton but not so far either. As one of the first districts built, StirWall came with its deficiencies in many areas of technology. That was the reason for our choice. It was useful in not getting tracked down by the Yunies. In StirWall, we were safe.

"...She says she just finished installing the cameras at your house and packing your stuff and is on her way."

   I didn't realise Camila had still been talking all this while. Ugh.

   I just wanted to go home.

"Great," I muttered, leaning further into the window. "Good to know."

A/N: When the adults are away,
The teens will...

Feel free you complete that using your imagination 🤭.

QOTD: Salty, sweet or savory treats?
Sweet for me.👋🏽

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