The Unwanted: Changing Fates (Rewriting)

31.

It was finally the day she was least looking forward to aside from the farewell party that Edda had prepared but Gatlin was just taking it in stride aside from her uncomfortable encounter with Jaxon she was just looking forward to the fact the week was almost over and she was leaving but until then she had to finally face the music and go back to her family home.

Outside the two-story average family home, Gatlin let out a sigh hoping no one was home. She knew her stepsister and half-sister would be at school and her stepfather would be working her mother was the only flight risk which was the last person she wanted to see in the house but Gatlin worked up the courage stepping closer to the wooden porch and up the steps. It was quiet as she entered the house so she only hoped nobody was home. Nothing had changed though she hadn't expected it to everything still in perfect order besides a new picture that sat in the sitting room on the mantle if it effected her anymore perhaps it would have hurt but the golden framed photo of her mother, stepfather and sisters with their large smiles looking like the perfect family at this point it was merely another point proving she was never apart of the family. Just shrugging it off Gatlin made her way upstairs which remained unchanged also. Partially packed boxes rest on the bed and floor Gatlin had already prepared before she left for training camp. Looking around the room she had lived in the last seven years she smiled a little it was never really a home to her but the room had acted as a sort of sanctuary and that was something she could always appreciate. Silently Gatlin began packing up her belongings there wasn't much the only thing that took up the most room was her books.

"I ah... didn't realise anyone was here" the sound of her mother's voice caught her by surprise causing her to look up from the half-packed box sitting on the uncovered mattress.

"Yeah, just here to pack" Gatlin simply explained before glancing back to pile of objects in front of her. Silence followed and Gatlin didn't dare look up but she knew her mother was watching.

"I heard you finished training and camp, congratulations" Hannah spoke as if just trying to fill the awkward silence in the room "your planning on moving in with your aunt? I mean that should be nice. Your father and I used to visit there a lot when you were a child I ah... Don't know if you remember..." Hannah rambled but again it fell silent again with Gatlin still not willing to look up as she attempted to focus on packing her things "I also heard Edda was throwing you a party for your farewell your stepfather, sisters and I will be there to see you off of course--"

"Please don't do this" Gatlin groaned as she relented and began speaking to her mother glancing up her sage eyes starting at the older woman with somewhat similar features as her own.

"Do what?" Hannah asked seeming confused but Gatlin was sure she was just faking.

"Stand there and make small talk with me... In the past few years of living with you here, I have not once been made apart of this family, I wasn't apart of any celebrations, no one celebrated my birthday and when you did things as a family I wasn't invited--"

"Linny..."

"No, mum. Just stop please. Look I know I'm your daughter and I'm not standing here begging and pleading for you to love me or pay attention to me or anything and I'm not going to stand here and make small talk I just want to pack my things and leave in peace" Gatlin sighed she had never said anything like that to her mother before and frankly she always thought if she said it she would cry or something but nothing came if anything a weight felt lifted from her chest.

"I see..." Hannah replied maybe a small part of Gatlin wished for her mother to relent and tell her how much she loved her and apologise for all the years lost but Gatlin knew that was never going to happen "well um... I will be downstairs if you need anything or more boxes. Congratulations again Linny" was all that came out of Hannah's mouth and Gatlin just forced a bitter smile to the woman before she turned around and left. The whole interaction just made Gatlin want to pack faster and get out of the house. The major part of her was relieved she had said that to her mother and that she was left alone again but a small part would always be saddened by the loss of a mother who never cared, a half-sister she would never become close to and a family she never had for a moment it was hard not to dwell as she stood in the small house she had lived the past few years of her life but Gatlin only allowed herself a moment. She wanted to focus on what was coming next a future of her own making and as she continued to pack the sadness once again slipped to the back of her mind while she clouded it with the hopeful dreams of her life becoming better.