Romeo's Silent Orchid

Chapter 1

 It was like a castle or a church, a large flat surface kept together by grey stones. The front of the building stretched into several thin points that reached the sky, and no windows except a round one with black panes and stained, formless glass that stood in the midst of the semi circle of the building’s highest point, directly above double doors made of frosted glass. A modern touch that seemed so out of place with the rest of the building.

“For a fee this big I thought they’d be a little more clean,” Dad said as he unloaded midnight blue duffle bag on the trunk and rested it on the ground. “Or maybe this building is some form of relic and I’m the one who’s uncivilized.”

I got most of my thick hair from his side of the family. He has always had a dark, scruffy beard that his razor kept short so it reached no further than his chin. Unlike Mom’s hair, Dad had his shaved at the sides and the rest in a crew cut.

Evening toned skin was starting to show the first signs of wrinkles harboring the corners of his black eyes, another thing I got from him. Not that I minded. At least no one can proclaim I’m not his child since we share so many features.

*Cough*, Grandma, *cough*.

“Don’t worry, Honey, you’re right about being wrong,” from behind him Mummy appeared laying a few pats on his shoulder with a teasing smile. “That doesn’t make you uncivilized though,” she says, continuing to smile. “It just means you didn’t take a look at the brochure I gave you. That, in itself, is a crime worthy of punishment.”

Dad smirked. “You’re no longer in the position to exact punishment on me, Cyntie,” he said, reaching to grab another box out of the trunk. Mummy let go of him to free up his movements. “And I did read it, kind of. When I woke up the next morning the brochure was in my hand fully folded, so I recon some sort of reading went on last night.”

Mummy scoffed, but not in a resentful way. She was taller than me, and almost taller than Dad in just dark blue flats. Her brown hair was braided from the center of her skull to the base of her neck, continuing until the tail end brushed over her bossom.

Amber irises in guarding the center of her eyes made her look like a wild cat, if it weren’t for her oval face. Mummy roped her slim fingers around a bag handle, lifting the knapsack out while Dad was busy with another box.

“So, no,” she concluded. “You didn’t read it.”

“Yeah, nah,” he responded.

I smiled at them, taking time to capture these small moments in my mental gallery before they had to go. And before I had to go.

I frowned for a bit, but upon seeing them turn around, I smiled again.

“But it’s nice right?” I faced the school then shifted over to them, grazing the concrete with the tip of my boot in each step. “I think it looks cute, at least.” I made a frame using the thumb and forefinger of both hands. “It’s like a physical manifestation of a past they want to keep. A representation of a backstory that makes up the identity of the school and the spirit of its students.”

The two of them stopped what they were doing and gave the place a one over, Mummy twitching her jaws and Dad rubbing his beard.

“I guess you could say that,” my mother says. “Long ago these grounds used to train fighters and guards for the governor who reigned over this area in the sixteen hundreds.”

“1618 to 1679 to be exact.” Dad moved his hands to his hips and drew in a breath of fresh air. “Governor Morlon. A good man?” He whirled his head to see me and Mummy staring staring at him. “Yes people, I read. I have eyes. And they work.”

“I didn’t say anything,” she shrugged. “Amethyst, did you say anything?”

“I was over hear minding my own business,” I stated with a smile.

Now that all the boxes and bags were removed, we just stood there, taking in our surroundings for a little bit longer. While Dad moved to the driver’s seat, Mummy stood right by my side staring at me. “Hm?” I asked. She gave me a smile, though it was faint. Her red lips barely moved as she spoke. “I’m glad to see that you’re doing…better.”

I shrugged. Next thing I know I was wrapped in her loving arms that tightened around me. I wrapped mine around hers in return and patted her back reassuringly. “It’s not like I could stay moped up forever, right? Who needs that when we still have so much of the world to learn and experience?”

As she let go of me, she smiled, then Dad came in with an even bigger hug that squeezed the air out of my body.

The afternoon sky started to darken and I was so held up in the sights that I didn’t realize when Dad let and they walked over to the car.

“You sure you don’t want us to stay until they come help you out?” She suggested from the driver’s seat. “Just to make sure they actually have someone available, and incase they don’t, well, you know.”

I thought about it for a sec. “No need. They knew we were coming today so I doubt they have anyone on staff.”

I’m not sure if my words got to her since she shared an unsure glance to my Dad, who was still outside holding the passenger door of the red SUV.

She tucked her red bangs behind her hair and muttered to Dad. “We should probably stay an keep her company until they come out--”

“Mom?” I interrupted. “Mummy? Tonia? See?” I took my hand from out of my jacket pocket. In it was a dark blue circular device, similar to a car remote with a black button at the end. “I have the DOC. It’s right here. As soon as you’re gone, I’ll press this button. I can manage by myself you know.”

At my smile I could tell my mother felt reassured.

“See you later, Ame,” Dad said. Seconds later he was in his seat with the door locked behind him. As for my mother, she still had half her body out the window. To send her off, I kissed my palm and blew it in her direction. She kissed her and did the same, a little more exaggerated but the message went across.

Now the only thing left was to watch the back of Dad’s vehicles drive out of the courtyard. It wasn’t hard, keeping a smile on my face until I was sure they were out of sight. No, the harder moments were soon to come.