Labelled by Blood

      We met up at our usual bus stop. I was there first. I hadn't seen the twins or Toby all day. I guess they decided to take a random Thursday off. That or they were sick. Either way, I was hoping to talk to Ava. Let her know she didn't need to worry about me.       Jesse joined me second and then Parker popped up a little later.       "Let's go," Jesse said.       He led the way and we headed for the gym. I brought a set of workout clothes. Not emo gym rat this time. Something a little more normal. Wind pants, men's large t-shirt, sneakers. Basic and comfortable. Parker didn't change out, but he had something to wear after. We got right to it and pushed ourselves. While I thought I was over the creep, Jesse told me that I kept looking around. I didn't notice at first, but then I caught myself doing it three more times before I forced myself to stop.       "If he comes causing trouble," Parker said, "we'll make sure he doesn't forget again."       This got a laugh from all of us and I knew it was true. They were here to work out, but also as backup if I needed them.       Jesse led the exercises we did, and I was aching all over by the end of it all. Parker faired a little better, but not by much. He could run for miles but lifting was different for him. We got changed and then headed out. As we left, I did one last look around and I saw Him. The gym creep. He looked pathetic. He wasn't scrawny, but less intimidating than last time. When he saw me, his eyes widened and he averted his gaze. I couldn't help but smirk and kept on with a bounce in my step. Sure, he was probably afraid of Jesse and he might even make another advance on me if I was alone, but that didn't stop me from feeling on top of the world.       We headed out, making our way to the ice cream parlor as a celebration and because I was really craving something sweet. We passed by the fountain, and I was half tempted to sit down and hang out, but I saw a couple of identical heads poking up above the bench. They were eating ice cream. Immediately, I got the urge to go and say hi. Ask them where they were today. Let Ava know that I just overcame something crazy. But. They seemed a little off like they had also gone through something rough. And they were having a moment. I didn't intervene and kept quiet. The city was calm, they probably needed some time away from everyone.       We made our way into the parlor and the cashier waved at us. "Good evening!" He felt confident in the way he said that. "What can I get you three?" He tapped rhythmically and we all ordered.       I got their mixed berry sundae. Mainly because I wanted to see how it was any different from what I usually ordered. Jesse ordered a strawberry milkshake. Parker chose some toffee mix.       After we ordered, the cashier looked at me with his genuine smile. "You ever get the feeling about someone that they just went through something crazy and came out the other side different?" He asked.       I was taken aback by his question. My face grew a shade pinker and I stammered. "Um, yeah. I can relate." Did he pick up on that off us? Were we really different?       He chuckled and then we went off to find some seats and enjoy the quiet. No one talked, and our ice cream was ready pretty quick. We got our order and dug right in. The mixed berries were tangy and sweet and had a soft crunch because of the cold. The fudge gave it all a sweet smell and I wished I knew about it earlier. It might replace my usual. After ice cream, we hung around for a bit. The sun was staring to set, though, so we talked about what tomorrow looked like. We wanted to hold off on going back to the forest for a little longer. Maybe over the weekend or so. Just so we can fully grasp what happened and what we want from life. Because the Collector could come back any day, even if it said otherwise. We didn't ever want to be caught out not ready or rusty.       We came to the conclusion that we'd do the gym this week and then alternate between gym or forest training days to keep us always ready. After a little while, we headed back to the bench. The twins were gone, now, so it was ours to take. We set up like last time and talked for a while longer.       "Both of you," Parker said. "Thank you for being there for me."       Jesse scoffed. "Nah. You were there for us when we needed you."       I nodded along. "Right. I don't think the two of us could've handled the Collector."       Parker nodded, but he was looking up into the clouds and their orange and purple halves. We had to get going home. Jesse stood with a big stretch. He reached out a hand for me and helped me up. Parker sat up, but he was still looking far away.       "C'mon, Parks. Let's get you home," Jesse said, motioning towards the streets.       Parker nodded and started walking. He didn't say anything else the whole way back. When we made it to his house, he hugged us tight and then went inside. Jesse and I shared a worried glance but figured we'd just text him later and check in on him.       Next was my house, and I was starting to get nervous. What awaited me back home? Are Mom and Dad going to keep being normal or are they going to go back to their aloof ways? We took our times getting home, and I was getting pretty tired. We looked out across the street and Jesse smiled.       "Tomorrow's Friday," he said, some excitement in his voice.       I sighed. "Right. I have to do my speech redo."       He cringed. "Oh. How's that going?"       "Well, I haven't looked at it since Wednesday when I said it. But I think this time's gonna be different. I think I'll know what to say when I get up there."       Jesse nodded, impressed. He ruffled my hair and pulled me in for a side hug. Our hugs never lasted long enough, but today was draining in its own way. We parted and I walked up to my door. With a hand on the knob, I twisted and pushed it open. Mom and Dad were on the couch. They had on a documentary on more marine life. This time, the narrator talked about starfish and their amazing ability to regrow parts they'd lost. I thought about how convenient that way; imagine regrowing a part of you that you had lost. A part of you that you'd forgotten about. Must be nice. When the door clicked shut, they turned and smiled at me. I almost teared up right then and there.       "Good evening, Alex," Dad said.       "Evening," I answered.       "We made some tacos tonight," Mom chimed. She sounded happy. Relieved.       "Yum," I hummed. Then I thought about asking something, but the idea made me feel kiddish.       "We used your favorite seasoning," Mom added.       I bit my cheek. She knew what I wanted to ask. "Oh. You didn't have to," I said.       "Maybe, maybe not," Dad said.       "Right. Maybe, maybe not," Mom repeated.       I smiled and walked up to them. They were glued to the documentary but each had their books faced down. There were small sticky note tabs sticking out of various pages. I guess they were marking down things they thought were important. I guess they also didn't realize I knew what they were reading.       Although I wanted to thank them for trying and hug and kiss them, it all felt foreign. The idea, while normal just a few years ago, now felt like something I would have to work up to. Instead, I went to the kitchen and grabbed myself a couple of premade tacos before heading to my room. When I got to my room, something stuck out like a sore thumb: my bouquet had been replaced by an ornate pot painted with waves of blue, pink, and purple. It was packed with soil and watered. Next to it was a packet for "Lilium orientalis 'Stargazer'" and care instructions. At the very bottom was a very simply written note:       We're sorry. For not loving you the way he should have.       I took the note my parents made and the opened seed packet. I rolled the seeds shut and used my trusty stapler to clamp it shut with the note attached. It was smooth and gave the softest click I'd ever heard from a stapler. Then, I set the seeded note on a floating shelf before chowing down on my tacos. The taste hit me like a truck. I was transported back in time to when things weren't so awkward. And my parents looked at me with love in their eyes, not indifference. I had to put my half-eaten taco down and just stare at the woodgrain patterns on my desk. A gentle wind blew outside. The moonlight poured in and fused with the light from my desk lamp.       I finished my dinner. And got ready for bed. I listened to some soft piano pieces that night. And I wore my favorite jammies.