Parker is crying. Again. But this time it is my fault. It's all my bloody fault. I said something wrong. I don't know why I care anyway. But she's family, apparently. And Sophie is going to kill me if I don't fix this.
I can't find her. Who doesn't make a sound when they cry? I walk over to her office and opened the door. Nothing. Of course, she would be half way across the world by now. I sighed and opened the closet. There she was, sitting there, staring into space, and crying.
"Parker…"
She sniffs and turns away.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."
She mumbles something.
"Everyone's like that sometimes. I didn't mean it. I was just angry and tired… and I haven't punched anyone in a while. Sometimes, I just need to let off some steam. I didn't mean to snap at you."
"What you said is true." Parker said in a tone unlike anything I have heard before.
"Parker don't… please don't do this."
"You mean a normal person would have shrugged it off."
"Yeah, but I… I care about you. I wouldn't want you to change."
"But there's something wrong with me."
"That's what makes you special. Family loves you for who you are, no matter what. If there's nothing wrong with you, I don't think I'll love you…" I grinned, slightly, trying to coax her out of the closet.
"You really mean that?"
"Of course."
Suddenly, Parker leaps up and attacks me. She came at me, and I didn't even realize. I have a faster than normal reflex, but apparently she's faster. Before I know it, she wraps her arms around me. For some reason, I didn't try to push her away. I couldn't. She's been rejected her whole life, I couldn't do it to her. I smiled and hugged her back.
"I'm always here for you, you know that right?"
She nodded and skipped away.