Chp. 21 "And We're Off!"

My feet were tapping nervously as I continued to silently glance back and search for Blaine, but he was nowhere to be found. Had I really seen him or was my mind just playing tricks on me? And if he was here what exactly did he want?

Avery’s row was finally starting to walk across stage but all I could think about was Blaine. He had to be here for a reason, I knew I had seen him…

I wasn’t going crazy.

I felt the adrenaline course through my veins as I watched the stage intensely, wondering how much longer I would have to sit here in agony. I needed to go look for Blaine; I just needed to get more information out of him. Also, I knew he was here for a reason, and that reason couldn’t be good if he was showing up in a crowded place like this after he had withdrawn from school.

I felt my heart pound in my chest like a jack hammer; I knew sitting here for another twenty minutes was going to kill me. Avery’s name was called and she walked across the stage reluctantly, and suddenly I didn’t feel so crazy anymore. Whenever I saw her my mood changed, no matter what I was doing, and she always seemed to be able to calm me down. It amazed me because even right now, when my emotions were obviously getting the best of me, she was the one to bring be back to earth.

I saw her eyes gaze up at the audience again, knowing she was searching for her mom’s face but not having any luck. I was praying she was here because if she realizes both of her parents missed one of the most important days in her life her mood would definitely drop.

And I knew I wouldn’t be able to fix it this time.

Graduation was winding down and we were now at the end of the alphabet, and I was extremely grateful. Soon the last person accepted their diploma and there was a speech, and another speech, and then I knew we would stand soon. We rose from our seats, allowing me to glance back again but not having any luck finding Blaine. My stare returned forward as I impatiently waited for us to start filing out, and my brain was on overdrive along with my heart at this moment.

I wanted to leave; I wanted to get the hell out of here and see Blaine and ask him for help. I needed to ask him what to do and get information… I needed-

Then I heard loud cheering and hats being thrown in the air as the ceremony ended, quickly pulling me out of my trance. My hat was still on my head but honestly, I didn’t give one shit. I wanted out of here, and soon we began filing out of the auditorium slowly.

We were cramming inside another narrow hallway when I felt a familiar hand on my shoulder, and then it took the cap off my head. Avery’s eyes found mine, “You didn’t throw your hat?”

I shook my head, “Avery… Blaine’s here. Remember the guy that… you know… gave me healing powers? I saw him in the crowd when I walked across the stage.” My voice was in a harsh, frantic whisper as I prayed Avery knew what I was talking about.

Then I saw her face change from confused to alert, “Are you sure?”

I nodded, “Yes, I swear, and I need to find him.”

Max was soon on the side of me as we walked out of the door and was escorted outside the auditorium to meet our family and friends. His voice rang out, “Whooo! We’re graduated and I never have to eat a school lunch ever again!”

I almost became annoyed but I soon realized Max had no idea who I had just seen in the auditorium, so I quickly spoke, “Max, Blaine’s here.”

His eyes found mine and his happy mood vanished, revealing a worried, stern look, “Where?”

“I don’t know where he’s at but I know he’s here for a reason, and we need to find him fast.”

We walked, scanning the cheering crowd for the familiar face that was too young for his rightful age. His stern eyes and his midnight black hair popped into my head, and soon I was beginning to doubt myself. What if I had seen things? What if Blaine wasn’t even here and I had just psyched myself out? Oh how that would make me seem even crazier than I actually was.

No, he had to be here, I wasn’t seeing things.

We were making our way to the end of the walkway and soon I was losing hope. Where had he gone? We made it to the end, the gates opening up for us to finally be free and mingle with everyone. Max and Avery were still at my side but we had no idea where he was, and soon we would have to leave for Louisiana.

And suddenly there was a hand on my shoulder, spinning me around and allowing me to peer into those light brown eyes. His tanned face brought me to the realization that Blaine was standing in front of me, someone who I thought I would never see again. He spoke urgently, “We must talk, but it needs to be quick.”

“Where the hell have you been, bud?” Max’s response was anything but considerate, but Blaine and I ignored it. I knew there was something wrong.

Blaine pulled us three aside, looking around frantically like he always did before he spoke. A heavy sigh exited his mouth, “Andy, you need to hurry and find this agency. They need you but there’s a big problem. The Feds are out there watching them like hawks, seeing if anyone is going in or out that might have powers. They know the Protection Bureau needs a Healer, and this is disabling them from being able to search for anyone. I told them about you…”

My heart skipped in my chest, “What did they say?”

“They need you and they need you to be super careful in getting in touch with them. They’re on the brink of war with the government affiliation. Andy the disease is getting worse and its killing people left and right.”

I nodded, feeling the pit of fear in my stomach grow, “I know… I just don’t know how to go about this.”

Blaine pulled out a tiny slip of paper and handed it to me, allowing me to open it and see a tiny phone number written on it. There was a name, Roger Boyd, and I looked at Blaine in confusion, “Who’s this?”

He patted his chest, “My friend at the Bureau, give him a call and he’ll direct you to the right place.”

 “You sure it’ll be safe with him?”

Blaine nodded, “Yes, I’m positive.” He looked around warily and then back at the three of us, “I must go now before people might recognize me here and see me talking with you guys.”

He took my hand in both of his, shaking, “Be careful Andy, but hurry, they need you.”

Then he took off into the crowd, disappearing within seconds.

I looked back at Max and Avery, seeing a hint of panic written on both of their faces. I held the slip of paper and gripped it tightly in my hand. I didn’t have my phone right now to store the number but I knew this couldn’t get into the wrong hands. I nodded, “We have to find my parents, then Gage so we can get out of here.”

Then before we could turn around my parents were pulling me into a tight hug, “Oh honey, how was it? You’re finally graduated!”

I felt too overwhelmed at the moment to share the happiness but I smiled, handing them the diploma and my cap and gown. I nodded, “Yea, it feels great.”

The Gage and Max’s mom showed up, Gage pulling Max into a bear hug, “I’m proud of you, you got through high school in under five years!”

Max shoved him and grunted in embarrassment, “Of course I did, I’m smart.”

Gage nudged Avery and I, “Ready to go?”

I looked at my parents who were peering down at me in awe; I knew we needed to get our stuff out of the car before we left. I nodded to Gage, “Yea, we just need to go grab our stuff out of my car and then we can go.”

He nodded, staying behind closer to his car as me, Avery and my parents walked to retrieve our bags. I slung my travel bag over my shoulder, smoothing over my dress as I waited for Avery. I pulled out my phone from the back seat and hurried to store Roger’s number. I stared at the slip, wondering if simply tearing it up would be enough, and deciding it wouldn’t.

I sparked it with electricity, causing the edge to light on fire and slowly burn the slip of paper into ash. It fell to my feet and I knew Roger’s number was safe now that the information was burned. I turned to my parents, hugging both of them as they smiled. I knew they were sad about me going without them but they wanted me to do this on my own. I spoke, “Just know… I really love you guys. You two are my true parents, you raised me and loved me unconditionally-“

My dad interrupted and corrected me, “Love Andy, we love you unconditionally.”

I smiled, suddenly feeling the need to cry as my eyes burned from happiness. I embraced both of them, knowing I would never be able to replace them with Teal and Fred. They were my real parents, the ones who took care of me and loved me as their own; because of them I was nurtured and protected.

I pulled away, Avery looking down at the ground as I spoke, “I’ll see you guys in a couple of days.”

“Please be safe Andy, and let us know when you make it to Louisiana.”

I nodded, “I will mom, don’t worry.”

Dad glanced down at his watch and sighed, “Well you two better get going, it’s 10:30.”

Waving my parents off was hard, and even though I knew that they weren’t going anywhere I would still miss them. I knew what I was doing was right though, meeting my biological parents was a must, and we were so close.

Avery and I started off back towards where Gage and Max were waiting for us, but I felt Avery’s mood and it wasn’t pleasant. I knew she was sad, and I also knew it was because her parents had refused to show. I grabbed her hand and her grip tightened around me like a lonely child, “Avery, you ok?”

She nodded stiffly, letting me know immediately she was lying through her teeth. I didn’t know how to make this better but I really wanted to. I pulled her close into me, wrapping my arm around her waist as we continued walking through the parking lot. I knew there were no words that could fix her mood, and I was hoping she hadn’t gotten her expectations up about her parents.

That was the thing; if you didn’t expect anything then you wouldn’t be let down if nothing happened.

I knew it was a shitty way of looking at things but really it was the only way not to be let down and crippled by the sadness. I knew telling Avery that wasn’t going to help the least bit so I kept it to myself.

Finally we saw Gage and Max waiting outside the Tahoe and we approached them. I was praying Max wasn’t going to say anything to Avery about her mood but I knew once again… I couldn’t keep my expectations high.

His job was to say the wrong things at the wrong times.

I lifted the hitch of the back door and threw Avery and I’s stuff into the back, taking our rightful place in the back seat. Max hopped into the passenger seat and saw Avery’s mood, and before I could tell him to shut his mouth he exploded with unwise words.

“Avery, your sad face isn’t that attractive.”

I stiffened, knowing Avery would do one of two things if I didn’t intrude. She would either simply ignore Max’s unintelligent comment or grab him by the throat.

She went for his throat.

I stopped her and looked Max dead in the eye, “Seriously? Shut the fuck up Max.”

And suddenly he realized what he had just said and I knew he felt bad, “Avery, I’m sorry-“

“It’s nothing Max,” she interrupted him before he could even muster up an apology. Her eyes traveled out the window as we took off on the road with Gage driving.

Max sent me an apologetic look but he knew Avery wasn’t in the mood for his shit, especially after being ignored and forgotten by her parents. Gage discretely turned on the radio, attempting to fill the silence with the Top 100 hits.

And I prayed this trip could only get better, and not worse.

***A/N***

Hope you guys enjoyed the update! My second semester of college has started but I will try my absolute BEST to keep up with regular updates, although I can't promise anything. Just want to thank my readers for their support and please Vote and Comment :) it really would mean a lot to me. :)