At 3pm school was dismissed and after saying the goodbyes to my friends, I made my way out where Taylor was already waiting for me.
'Hello Sera. May I take your bag?'
'No need Taylor…' I replied. 'Are mum and dad still home?'
'Yes Sera.' Taylor replied as he closed the car door behind me. 'Do you need anything before we go home?'
'No thanks Taylor.' I replied back as I let my head fall backwards, staring outside the window.
It wasn't long till we arrived home and took the elevator to the kitchen. Gail was already there preparing lunch for everybody. The smell of what she was cooking was making my mouth water, but I wasn't hungry.
Mum and dad were making their way downstairs holding hand in hand. I always admired their affection. Although they had been married for 22 years, they never were shy on showing their love.
'Hello dear.' Mum said as she came forward hugging me and kissing my forehead. 'How was school?'
'It was ok. It's school.' I joked. 'Natalie invited me for a sleepover tomorrow.' I continued as I saw dad's face jolt up as he heard the word sleepover. 'No need to worry dad, I said no as you're here. I'd rather spend some time with you guys.'
'That's my daughter.' Mum said as she held me from my shoulders. 'Now why don't you go to freshen up and join us for lunch?'
'Um… I had a huge lunch at school. They had mushroom tortellini so I ate from there.' I replied back feeling my dad's stare on me.
'Well that's ok dear… but you still can join us.' Mum replied again as she took her seat with dad.
I could see him getting on his nerves. He was quiet and quiet dad meant trouble. He scared me at times liked that, but I still took my usual seat beside him.
'Do you need anything Sera?' Gail asked me as she got mum and dad's dish.
'Um… some peppermint tea would be nice please.' I replied as I took out my laptop and switched it on. 'I have the ballet open day today. Are you coming?' I asked hesitantly, and I saw dad's face softening up.
'We wouldn't miss it for the world peanut.' Dad replied.
Lunch was spent in quiet, having some small talk with my parents while I worked on my philosophy assignment. It was easy that way. I could feel lighter… different… good different…
Time flew by, and it was finally time to go to ballet. I love ballet. It made me feel loose of all my worries. I could go on point and not letting anything stop me… not anything pull me down… not even my own thoughts.
My parents were there on the very first row with the other parents. Dad was in his CEO behaviour, but when I waved at them, both my parents were the soft ones I always remembered. Mum motioned to dad to start the camera as Madame Cabernet, started the lesson.
'Ok class, your parents are the audience… put them under your spell!' She started as we all took our places.
I blocked everything from my mind. I focused on the dance and let everything remain there at that moment. I was doing arabesque, pirouttes, fouettes… everything she asked us to do… it's the only time I know that everything is fine… however 2 hours flew by, and the lesson ended.
My parents waited for me outside the dressing room, and as I got out they both greeted me.
'That's my tiny dancer!' Dad said as he lifted me off easily, and hugged me tight.
'Daddy! I'm 17! Not 7!' I asked as I begged him to put me down.
'So because you're 17, I cannot lift you anymore?' Dad asked with his 'hurt' face.
'Ok fine…' I replied as he put me down.
'You were great dear!' Mum continued as dad took my bag and they held me between them, and walked towards the car outside of the studio.
'Why have we stopped being like this?' I asked all of a sudden.
'What do you mean Peanut?' Dad asked as he put the duffle bag in the car luggage.
'Like this… a family… going to places together… doing things together…' I replied as all of us entered the car and put our seatbelt on. 'I miss this…'
The drive to home was in utter quiet, and I ended up falling asleep. I was too tired to remain on my feet.
'She slept… she's still a young girl Christian.' Mum said as he touched my hand. 'Don't wake her up… she seems peaceful.'
'She has to have dinner Ana! She barely had breakfast and skipped lunch…'
'Christian she said she had tortellini at school. I trust our daughter…'
'You're right.' Dad answered. '…take her bag, I'll carry our baby to bed.'