My grandma?" I half-ask, half-state, taking the tiniest step back in confusion. I thought my grandma was dead. That's what everyone told me when I asked...
Verdona—my grandma—sits on my bed and takes off her hood, looking directly at me and ignoring Kevin, who is glaring at her. "Don't be so surprised, dear, I don't bite."
"Don't trust her," Kevin says harshly. "And how do we know you're telling the truth exactly?" He takes a protective step in front of me, clenching his fists.
Verdona stands up from the bed and practically floats directly into Kevin's way. He doesn't back off and instead prepares for an attack. I feel almost protective at this moment, unsure if she will harm him or let him be—I prepare myself for the worst just in case, knowing Kevin's temper can get out of control really fast sometimes.
"Is he your boyfriend, Gwennie? I can see the appeal. You remind me so much of my Max." She gently smacks Kevin's cheek, and Kevin pushes her hand away, glaring at her.
"Kevin, I think she might be telling the truth."
Kevin stares at me in disbelief, but my eyes are focused on the old woman in front of me as I analyze her every move and every wrinkle. She looks so much like my dad. I've never met her before. I've never heard about her before, and she might as well be a stranger to me, but something tells me she isn't lying. I can feel it. There's something about all this that feels different, almost surreal.
"You can't just believe—"
Footsteps echo throughout the house and the front of my room, and I instantly know it's my parents. If there's someone who can shed light on this, then it's them.
"Mom?" my dad asks.
At the same time, my mom asks, "Verdona?"
I snap my head in the direction of my parents, but they are focused on my…grandma. They don't look happy, especially my mom. Her usually neutral face is filled with hostility and defensiveness, similar to the stance she takes when something she doesn't like happens. Meanwhile, my dad is just numb. This pretty much confirms it.
"Uh, maybe I should get going?" Kevin whispers to me, half out of awkwardness. "I sense a family reunion, and I'm not sure I'm invited."
"Stay," is all I say to him. Maybe it's selfish, but I can't think clearly right now, and having Kevin around helps. For comfort, for focus, for everything. I have so many questions about everything, and I want him to be with me when I ask.
"Frankie," Verdona says to my dad with a smile on her face. Her smile transforms into what I can only describe as a mischievous smirk when she faces my mom. "And Natalie."
"Glad to see you too," my mom says dryly, though her voice is laced with sarcasm.
It doesn't take a genius to realize they don't like each other—maybe I should ask about that later. But it doesn't really matter right now because all I can think about is that they know each other. They know. They knew all this time and yet never said anything? Where was Verdona when we were children? Why did Grandpa Max never mention anything about her? Why would they act like she was dead? If I wasn't so overwhelmed and confused, I would be angry. Kevin notices my reaction and places a hand on my shoulder for comfort.
"We weren't expecting you." My dad takes off his glasses and cleans them on his shirt, as if double-checking if he's seeing right.
"It was a surprise, right, Gwennie?"
"I…have so many questions," is all I say.
"Oh, I bet you do." Verdona wraps an arm around me and Kevin while she's still floating off the ground. "Which I'll answer over some tea. Come on, let's go downstairs."
Everyone is visibly hesitant at her words, the tension not being missed, but we all head downstairs regardless. Kevin looks at me with pleading eyes, as if to tell me that this isn't a good idea, and I don't exactly blame him. I bite my lips in guilt, knowing I probably dragged him into some confusing family drama he doesn't want to be a part of, but it's a bit too late for him to just leave now.
We finally reach the bottom of the stairs, and Verdona lets go of Kevin and me, starting to float around the room and touching everything she sees. She is very…energetic. My dad, Kevin, and I sit down at the dinner table while my mom walks off to the kitchen to make that tea. She hasn't uttered a word and instead keeps glaring at Verdona, who continues floating around the house like a hyperactive toddler.
"It's been a long time, mom," my dad says, coughing a little. He turns towards Kevin, who is just sitting there nervously twirling his fingers. Kevin visibly tenses under my dad's gaze, and I feel guilty. To be fair, my meeting with his mom was accidental, unlike this. "And you must be Gwen's friend?"
"Uh, yeah…sir," Kevin says. "Yeah, I'm her friend from school."
My dad nods, ready to ask more, but Verdona floats over and sits on top of the table (closer to me), interrupting the conversation. Kevin takes a breath of relief.
"I'm so glad someone in the family has the spark," Verdona says, placing her hand on top of mine. "You have no idea how disappointing it is to have ordinary children."
My mom walks into the room, setting the tea and chocolate biscuits on the table. Kevin grabs a few in his hand, munching away to avoid the lasting awkwardness. "I can't imagine the horror." My mom turns to my dad and mouths, 'get rid of her.' My dad shrugs helplessly and doesn't react any further.
"The spark?" Dad reaches over and grabs a chocolate cookie as well, dipping it in his tea. I just remain still, waiting for answers.
"Excuse me," my mom says. She simply walks out of the room, muttering something under her breath, but no one else seems to be paying attention to her.
"Why, I mean her powers, of course. Surely you know about that?"
I make eye contact with my dad, and both of our eyes widen. This is not how I planned for him to find out. Not with him thinking I've been lying for years now—even if I actually have. This should be a private conversation, and it should give me the chance to explain…Not like this. I play with the hem of my shirt and look down at my lap, unsure how to explain myself. This is all too much.
"Daddy, I—" I pause for a moment and raise my head to look at him with a sigh. "I've been keeping a secret from you, and I'm sorry."
I lift my right hand in the air and use a magic lasso to pull a chair further away from the table so Verdona can sit down. She doesn't. My dad moves his head, facing the chair, my hand, and then my face—I can see the shock and astonishment on his face. I don't know what he's thinking. I don't know what I would be thinking if I were in his place. He doesn't look angry. He doesn't look happy either. But I can see the defeat.
The overwhelming silence looms around us while my dad is still processing what he just saw. I reach over and touch his hand, hoping this will offer some comfort to him. It's definitely a lot to handle.
"That is…quite the secret," he finally says. "I always thought you were born ordinary, like your brother. Or like your cousin."
"You knew about this?" I ask.
"Well, luckily you aren't ordinary," Verdona interjects. "You inherited my powers, which is more than I can say for the rest of the family."
I sigh. "Inherited? I thought magic was something I worked for…"
"Magic?" Verdona says, laughing. "My dear, you're an Anodite."
"Mom, let's maybe take it easy since she doesn't—"
"I'm an Anodite?" I ask, interrupting my dad. Kevin looks at me with worry almost, but I quickly look away and toward my grandma, who is already moving around the house again.
"You know, an Anodite," she repeats, now touching the different decorations laid out on the shelf. A glass decoration falls on the floor, breaking into tiny pieces, and I wince, knowing my mom will not like that. But Verdona simply claps her fingers, mending it back together; it's as if it never broke to begin with. It's amazing. "One of the most powerful beings in the Universe, pure energy being, manipulating mana around you. You're what they would call half-alien on Earth."
"Mana?"
"The energy all around you. What you rely on to summon your powers."
"...So it's not magic?"
"Not all of it," Verdona says, wrapping an arm around me again and holding me closer. Does this confirm that some of it is still magic? I think to ask, but Verdona interrupts my thoughts. "And I can help you further develop your powers, make you stronger than you'll ever be. I can teach you everything I know."
My head snaps toward her when she says this. She can teach me everything she knows. I can train my powers to be stronger? I would be a fool to refuse.
"You can?" I ask. "I would actually really like that. When can we start?"
"Now, if you want! You just need to come with me to Anodyne, our planet." Verdona helps me stand up from the table, and I follow her lead. "It does mean you need to leave behind your friends and family, but it'll all be worth it in the end, I promise. Things are temporary here anyway."
"Leave my friends and family?" My voice is awfully low at this, and I notice from the corner of my eye that Kevin clenches and unclenches his jaw at the sound of this.
"You can visit them, of course, once you've mastered your powers, so it shouldn't be a problem. Though you'll probably forget them by then. It's only, what… 60 to 70 years?"
I wince at her words. Sixty to seventy years. Leaving my family. Leaving my friends and everything I know. Everyone I know. Mastering my powers. Becoming one of the most powerful beings. Finding out who I truly am. Leaving Kevin… I don't know what to think. I want to learn, I want to know more. But this isn't a decision I can make in one day. Not like this.
I turn to my dad, who is still silent. "Dad?"
He sighs, placing his biscuit to the side. "I feared this day might come." His voice is almost defeated, and I frown. "We love you, Gwen, and that won't change. I'll support you no matter what your decision is."
"You will?" I should be feeling happy and hopeful, but instead, it's the opposite.
"Perfect!" Verdona interrupts, embracing me. "Then it's settled. We can leave as soon as today."
Tears form at the corners of my eyes, and I look between Verdona, my dad, and Kevin. I don't know what to do. I turn around without another word and run to the front. I exit the building and run as far as I can until my lungs hurt, and I'm panting for breath, finally arriving at the vacant and dark Bellwood Park.
I finally slow my pace and take a few deep, concentrated breaths as I sit on a wooden bench. I tuck my knees closer to my chest, and I stare at the ground, yet I don't permit myself to cry even if I want nothing more. A part of me sees this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I can find out my true identity—who I really am. I can finally understand myself and my powers better. Finding out I'm an Anodite and one of the most powerful beings, according to my grandma, is exciting. And yet… there's a part of me—maybe an insensible side of me—that doesn't want to abandon the life I have. I love my family more than anything. And I love my friends. And Kevin, I think I really l—
"Running away in the middle of the night to an isolated part. Not smart," Kevin says as he takes a seat next to me.
Kevin sits so close to me that our bodies touch, and I instinctively lean closer for support. I'm glad he's there. Not only because I crave his comforting presence, but also because if there is someone who will be honest, won't sugarcoat things, and present them as they actually are, it's Kevin.
"I needed a moment to think without all the noise," I say.
"Are you thinking of going?" Kevin asks, looking down at the ground.
"Maybe. I mean, I… don't know, actually," I say. "It sounds nice. Finding out more about who I truly am, not feeling like an outsider anymore, mastering my powers and my capabilities. The sensible thing is to go."
"But?" Kevin asks, his voice quieter and awfully cautious.
"But…" I pause for a moment. "There's Amperon too. He'll be back again, and we need to be prepared." That's not my true reason, or my main reason for the most part, but it's definitely very important.
"You already know that if your Grandpa finds out you left, he'll probably find a way to bring backup to Earth. Someone will be onto him if he becomes a bigger threat." Kevin cracks his knuckles. "I'll be there too, to beat the fucker up."
I nod, though sadly. He's right. It wouldn't be enough; it might be too late, but there will still be a way—and by then, I might have a somewhat better understanding of my powers as well. I sink my head further between my knees to hide my face.
"I've always felt like I don't belong or like an outsider, and it's only gotten worse after what happened with Denise. I couldn't tell her the truth, and even now, none of my friends actually know—not even my parents knew the truth until today."
"Hey, I'm your friend, and I know about your powers."
I smile at him. "You are, and you do."
There is a pause again, and I lean my head back this time, supporting it against the bench.
"You'll be gone for a long time," Kevin says, then pauses for a moment. "I might even be dead by the time you come back to Earth."
I wince at his words. But he's right. Just the thought of this being my last moment with Kevin causes my heart to ache.
"Do you think I should go?" I ask him.
Kevin scoffs and leans back as well, causing our heads to touch.
"Is that a no?" I lean closer to him, and my head touches his shoulder while I wrap a hand around his arm. He doesn't pull away.
"Is that something you need to ask? I'm used to having you around, ya know. We hang out every day now, even if it's mainly to fight asshole aliens," his voice grows lower, "You helped me with getting my grades up by some miracle, and I'm even taking this stupid rehab seriously for once. And I like having you around. When I thought I lost yo—I mean, when I thought you died, I blamed myself. So yeah, I think the whole thing is lame, and so is your question."
My heart warms at his words, and I feel my whole face heat up. I turn my head to the side to face him, but he's already averted his gaze to the other side. I know Kevin isn't the emotional type. He isn't one to just open up and share things with people. So the few times he actually does—like right now—I know he is sincere. And I like that about him.
"You can be pretty sweet when you want to be."
He scoffs again, ready to deny it, but he instead chooses to remain silent while permitting me to lean even closer to him. He doesn't pull away, and he doesn't push me away either.
"I like having you around too, you know. You can be a bit rough at times, but you're a pretty good… friend, all things considered."
Kevin still hasn't said anything, and I can sense some of his discomfort from this situation. I'm not sure if it's our proximity, the fact that he thinks I might be leaving, or the fact that he opened up emotionally (even if it didn't last long), but I think that's as much as he can tolerate. I bring my feet to the ground, and I gently encourage him to stand up alongside me. I think I know my decision now. The moment we head back, I'll tell my grandma a big 'no.' But for now, I want to cherish this moment with Kevin.
"Wanna walk around for a bit?" I ask.
"Sure," Kevin says.
We don't hold hands, and though I'm tempted to wrap my arm around his, I don't do it. We start walking side by side in the empty park, closing my eyes every few minutes to enjoy the cool breeze.
"How are you feeling about all this?"
"The secret grandma my family kept, or everything else she told me?"
"Uh, both, I guess," Kevin says.
I sigh, staring at the starry sky. "It's not every day you find out you're actually half-alien, half-human. And Anodite? Amperon mentioned that word once, but I thought it was his lunacy talk. I just never imagined something like that… Have you always known you're an Osmosian?"
"Kinda," Kevin pauses, as if contemplating his next words. "My father, my real father, was one."
My eyes widen at the mention of his father. That's definitely more than Kevin has been willing to share before, and I'm not sure if I should ask more or just drop the subject.
"Your father sounds like a good man," I quietly say.
"Your father sounds like a good man," I quietly say.
"He was." The tone in Kevin's voice lets me know that he doesn't want to keep going, and I decide not to push him. It's progress that he even shared this much with me.
"Anyway, I think I'm better. It was just the initial shock, but it'll help now that I know more about myself."
"Does that mean you've made your decision?"
I smile. "I already have."
"Is it the good decision or the bad one?" Kevin asks.
I stop walking and turn to look at him. "It means I've decided to stay." I place a kiss on his cheek, and his face flushes red. I almost giggle, but I stop myself. "Thanks to you."
Before Kevin can say anything (though he doesn't seem like he is going to), I start walking ahead in the direction of my house.
I don't think I can leave Earth. And I definitely don't want to leave Kevin.