dyad | ᵇᵒᵒᵏ ᵒⁿᵉ

ᴄ ʜ ᴀ ᴘ ᴛ ᴇ ʀ ՁƼ ☛ ᴡᴏʀʀɪᴇs.

                                       ᴄ ʜ ᴀ ᴘ ᴛ ᴇ ʀ ՁƼ ☛ ᴡᴏʀʀɪᴇs. 

                                                          ＰＴ ２

Since Josiah had missed school today, I got his school work and decided to bring it to him. It wasn't like him to not come to school, so either he must've fallen really ill, or just overslept altogether. Heading towards the front of the school, I passed by Macy and Joshua. They were all hugged up with each other, and I couldn't help but giggle as I walked by them. They were so cute to me, I couldn't resist gushing over them whenever I saw them hugged up. Pushing the heavy door open, I walked into in the fresh, Spring air. A breeze past by me, whipping my hair around. Passing by all the cheerleaders and football players, and the social misfits, I made my way out of the front of the school, taking a right. 

I remember the way to Josiah's house, as we've walked the path before. 

Passing by a few neighborhoods, I headed into Josiah's neighborhood. His house sat a top a hill, in a cul de sac. It wasn't hard for me to tell which was it was, as it was one of the biggest houses in the neighborhood. Walking up the driveway, I came up to the front door. Adjusting my bag on my shoulder, I rang the doorbell, knocking on the door a few times. I waited for someone to answer the door, but instead of seeing Josiah on the other side of the door, Mattie greeted me. 

She gave me a soft, sad smile, and stepped aside so I could enter the house. "Just the person I wanted to see," she said, and I turned to her. "I brought Josiah's work, since he wasn't in school today," I told her, pulling a green folder out of my bag. She took it from me, placing it on the coffee table. "Is he here?" I looked around, biting my lip. I couldn't help but be worried about him, he was my boyfriend, after all. 

"I'm right here." 

Hearing Josiah's voice behind me, I turned around. Looking up towards the stairs, he stood there, leaning on the banister. He looked..sick. Like he hadn't slept in days, and that he was really stressed out. "Are you alright?" I asked him, biting my lip. I didn't want to think about it, but I had the feeling that I was the reason why he looked like that. He didn't look too happy to see me, and I sighed. 

"We need to talk."

As the words left his mouth, my heart began to race in my chest. I tried to swallow the lump in my throat, but nothing worked. Josiah turned to his room, leaving me to head upstairs. He held his door open as I entered his room, and closed it behind me. I sat on his bed while he stood there, simply staring at me. I began to play with my hands, nervous as I don't know what. Josiah sighed, and handed me a photo. 

"Is this you?" he asked me, crossing his arms over his chest. Looking over the photo, I instantly recognized the time and place of this photo. It was me, my mom, and dad, at the Flower Field Carnival. It was the day of my birthday, to be more exact, my fourteenth birthday. I shifted my attention towards Josiah, and slowly nodded. 

"Why didn't you tell me?" He sighed, running a hand through his hair. I knew where this was going. It was just like the time he found out that I wasn't a Bloom. I was starting to feel terrible all over again, and I knew he was upset that I was leaving out details. It's just that..it hurts to bring up the past. I've spent over two years pushing it to the back of my mind, the wounds are just too deep to bring it up again.  

"Because..I didn't think it was important.." I mumbled. 

"Monroe, I'm not bringing this up to hurt you," he told me, coming closer to me. He got on his knees, taking my hands in his. "I know you aren't, Josiah. I just don't like to speak about my parents, alright?" He nodded, biting his lip. "I didn't tell you because I'm not apart of their family anymore. My last name's been changed, and it's all final." He pecked my lips, and I looked down. 

"What's the matter?" 

I shook my head, "Why did they have to give me up? All over their reputation, they gave me up." 

I could feel the urge to cry coming on, and Josiah pulled me into a hug. "You know what,t hey're foolish to ler you go. You were the only daughter they had, and if they gave you up because of a reputation, they didn't deserve you in the first place." I wrapped my arms around his neck, hugging him tighter. "I won't bring up your past if you don't want to me to, alright?" I nodded, "It's okay, Josiah. This time I really mean it, I'll tell you everything." He chuckled, "You don't have to if, if you don't think it's important. I won't try to stress over the little things." 

He kissed my forehead, and I smiled. 

"Josiah!" 

He pulled me up, holding my hand. He opened the door, and closed it behind himself, and we descended down the stairs. Reaching the bottom, Mattie gave us a smile. "Everything is good?" We nodded, and I kissed his cheek. Josiah's parents were in the kitchen, and I said hello to them. "Well, I should be going now," I said, giving Josiah a quick hug. "I'll see you tomorrow, in school." 

I nodded as I walked out the door, walking down their driveway. Backtracking my steps out of the neighborhood, I passed by several stores, and the school as I headed home. It didn't take me long to arrive home, but I was surprised when I walked up on a Lexus in the driveway. I raised my eyebrows, and shrugged, heading into the house. When I walked in, it seemed like Joshua was waiting for me, and looking at his expression, he didn't seem too happy. "What's wrong?" I asked him. 

It looked like he had been crying, as well. "Mary..she's waiting for you in the kitchen." His voice sounded rough, and tired. I dropped my bag at the door, and headed towards the kitchen. I passed by King, who was sitting on the floor, playing with his toys. "Hey there," I cooed at him. He smiled at me, showing off his little baby teeth. I continued on my way, and walking into the kitchen, I froze. 

Mary was sitting at the table, with my parents. 

She was visibly upset, and I could see faint tear stains on her cheeks. My parents gave me a smile, and Mary got up, coming over to me. She placed her hand on my cheek, sighing. "Your parents are here to see you, sweetie." She spoke like this was the last time that she was going to see me, ever. She kissed my forehead softly, fluffing out my hair. Mary then walked past me, and up the stairs. Turning my attention back to my parents, their smiles got bigger. "Monroe, princess, sit down," my father said. I slid my bag over my head, placing it on the table as I sat down. 

Why were they here?

I hadn't seen them for four years, why are they suddenly popping up now?

"We've missed you, baby. Look at how much you've grown," Mom cooed at me, rubbing my hand. 

"Why are you guys..here?" I asked them.

They looked at each other, and then at me.

"We want you to come home with us!"