When I eventually got there, it was about 1AM. Traffic was horrible and stopping for gas was a series of nightmares. Hindsight is 20/20 because I probably should have stopped at a hotel and made this trip two days instead of one straight shot. I didn’t even bother grabbing my things from the car; I just texted Stace that I was alive and stumbled to the front door. I still had my house key. I knew my parents would be sleeping. 

I entered my childhood home for the first time in almost a decade. I could see they changed some nik-naks and put up pictures of me at my college graduation. I could feel a tug at my lips while looking around. It smelled and felt like home. It was an odd thing to experience after years of not being present. It was like I was having an out of body experience and I was just watching myself explore an area in a video game. 

Unfortunately I had to cut my exploration short. I had drunk so many energy drinks that at this point my body was about to just crash. I didn’t bother to shower or even brush my teeth as I quietly made my way up to my old room. The stairs creaked just how they used to. I cringed at the noise, praying it didn’t disrupt my parent’s slumber.

I gulped as I turned the knob to my room. It felt like I was a ghost walking in. It was exactly as I left it. Immediately to my left was my queen sized bed. It still had royal purple sheets and a huge fluffy comforter of the same color. I’m sure my mom washed it all before my arrival. Not too far from the bed was the worn out desk and a cheap looking rolly chair that was also purple. There was nothing on the desk besides a notebook and a few shaved down pencils.

I grinned when I looked at my walls. My posters of MCR were still intact along with some cartoon ones. I hadn’t listened or watched anything of my childhood in years that I felt offended at myself. Wow I really should add My Chemical Romance to my Spotify playlist. 

I was exhausted by all means but looking at my room gave me a new sense of hype. Despite the fact I’d have to face Dylan sooner or later, I was reminded of the good aspects of coming back. I would see my parents for longer than a week's worth, I’d get to reconnect with my younger self with nostalgic memories, and I’d finally get to drink at that famous bar in town! 

Seriously, all the college kids would talk about this Brewery! I looked it up before coming here and it had only grown more popular! I was giddy at the mere thought. 

I realized I forgot to take off my shoes at the entrance and I mentally face palmed myself for that one. Mom despised nothing more than shoes being worn inside the house, and boy would I have to hear about that tomorrow! Shortly after the realization, they were kicked off and I sunk my feet into the soft carpet. 

I crawled into bed and knocked out for hours. 

~;~

I woke up the next day with the biggest twist in my neck. I groaned in pain at the realization that I hadn’t moved a muscle from the exact spot I crashed in. I groggily looked at my phone and gasped at the time. It read: 5:43pm

I slept until the evening? Who am I? I haven’t slept past 9am in years. 

Jolting up immediately, I buried my phone in my pocket and raced downstairs. As soon as I opened my door, my stomach growled at the smell of my mom’s cooking. My mouth salivated at the aroma. I sped down the stairs so quickly that I made a thud noise when I landed on the 1st floor. The sound made my mom and dad jerk their heads in my direction. 

I mouth an ‘oops’ and smile widely. 

“Oh baby you’re awake!” My mom, Susie, dried her hands with a blue towel and made her way over to me with open arms. Before I could react she pulled me into a tight hug. With the height difference, she came to my chest. I wrapped my arms around her.

“I missed you too mom.” I hummed.

My dad, James, got up from his recliner chair and headed to join the newly formed family hug. 

“It’s good to see you here NoNo.” I twitched my face a bit at the embarrassing nickname.

It was a family inside joke. When I was a little toddler, I for whatever reason couldn’t say my own name. I also had this obsession with Yo-Yo’s. Yeah, I know, who plays with those nowadays? But there I was about 3 or 4 and playing with this kid version of a Yo-Yo. I only wanted to play with that--nothing else. If you tried to take it away from me, I started to cry: ‘no-no don’ take m’ yo-yo.” According to my parents, it was the cutest thing because I couldn’t say ‘No-ah’ but I could say ‘No-no.’ It has stuck ever since. Even if I’m 26, there’s no escape.

“Hey dad, I still see you call me that.” I took my mom and ruffled my brown hair.

James winked, “Til’ the day I kick the bucket.”

I grinned at him and my parents pulled away from our hug.

“Dinner’s almost ready No-No. I made your favorite: curry!” My mom announced enthusiastically. She started to head back to the kitchen.

“I knew I smelled curry! I can’t wait,” I began to try and walk where my mom was.

“Hold it right there son, no other body’s in the kitchen besides me!” She didn’t turn around. Susan was always like this growing up, and it seemed it hadn’t changed.

I couldn’t help but laugh, “Alright mom, I’ll leave you to it.” 

~;~

I had three plates of curry before I decided I was full. I loved my mom’s cooking more than any restaurant. This was also something I would cherish while being back. I took my mom’s food for granted back in my youth. 

“So Noah,” My mom started while peeking over at me from across the table. I gazed up at her curiously.

“Yes?” I took a sip of my water.

“Your father and I are attending this annual town get-together this Friday and we were hoping you’d come along.” She gave me a hopeful smile and batted her eyes in almost a puppy-eyed-look. I saw what she was doing there. 

I evaded the invitation, “Since when did they have that?” I gave her a curious glance trying to ignore her proposal.

Her smile morphed into a devilish smirk. “About 5 years ago, but you’d know that if you came to visit.” Her hand started to tap the table. 

“It’s an annual party for the town to kick off summer.” My dad added while also giving me a smirk. They were tag teaming me right now. 

“Very classy; trying to guilt trip me, are we?” I rolled my eyes playfully.

“We just want more memories with you before we move to England.” Susan spoke truthfully as she glanced away from me and onto her tapping hands.

I sighed. I knew they were right. They were moving abroad and I was going to miss them a lot. I would regret not going even if it meant running into him. I reluctantly agreed and watched as my parent’s faces lit up like fireworks--mostly my mom. She couldn’t stop smiling the rest of the night.

I loved my parents to bits. They had accepted me and supported me with every decision I made, even when it meant they had to unfriend Lyla, Dylan’s mom. Our parents had been long time friends but ever since that night my mom knew in her gut that she had to support me. The rift between Lyla and my parents grew more and more as I had refused to make contact with him. 

My parents stopped asking me about him and understood my choice. 

Well, this choice was mine and I owed it to my parents to come to this stupid party. I hoped there’d be drinks.