I was about to change the channel but for some reason the remote would not work when Owen popped up.

He opened his mouth as if about to say something but the ringing of my phone stopped him.


Not taking a glance at the caller ID I answered the phone.

"Hello."

"Hey baby."


"Mum?" Before she could answer I took a quick glance at the caller ID and it confirmed that it was indeed her.

"Yes honey. I was calling to tell you that we're done with production and everything-"


"Does that mean what i think it means?" I couldn't contain the excitement.

She gave a little laugh, "Yep. That means I'll be back home during the course of the week. I just have a few things to take care of first."

"I can't wait ma."

"Neither can I. I'll let you know when the exact day will be."

"Okay." I replied before she rung off.

At that point I was full on grinning like Cheshire cat.

After what felt like years mum was finally coming home.

"You look stupid." Came Owens voice. But even his words couldn't wipe the grin from my face.

"Was that your mum?"

"Since when did you become so inquisitive?"

"Don't flatter yourself. If that's your mum saying she's coming back here. It simply means you're finally leaving. Well over due if you ask me."

"Believe me I'm more than happy to leave you behind." I got up from my sitted position.

"We both know that's a lie, Lyra!" He shouted just as I was about to close the door.

I decided to brush off his comment and instead pack some of the things that I'd unloaded back into the boxes. I was too excited to wait.

**********

A day later and Mum was finally back home. I was so excited that I even prepared supper.

I was looking for the book I had been recently reading when I realised that I had left it back at Mrs James'."

"Hey mum?"

"Yes?"

"I have to fetch something over at Mrs James'. I'll be right back."

"Sure honey."

I walked over and knocked at the door, finding it a little wierd given that I'd been staying there for a while.

"Lyra." Came Mrs James' voice just after she opened the door.

"I think I left something behind."

"Come in dear."

"Thank you."

I walked in and headed over to my former room and searched for the book. I looked under the bed but I still didn't see it anywhere. Then I recalled having it by the pool area that afternoon.

"You okay?" I asked Owen when I found him standing by the pool with an empty bottle at his feet.

I was met with silence for a few seconds, possibly minutes, before he spoke up.

"My grandma thinks I should go meet Iris." I noticed he called her by her first name instead of mum but then again that was something to be expected considering the history they shared or luck thereof. "It's like she doesn't even understand the - It's like she doesn't understand anything."

"I mean she just wants what's best for you."

"What do you know." He said glaring at me.

"I'm just saying that at least she's here and trying to get closer to you. My father left my mum and I. I know it's nothing compared to the things you've been through but I just want you to know that I do know what it feels like. What it's like going to sleep knowing someone isn't there. Thinking you'd see them in the morning only to have them disappear from your life.

"From that day things changed. Mum would be gone for weeks. Sometimes months for work and I'd be home.

"You're grandmother loves you and I know she wouldn't do anything that would only inflict pain on you."

"And you?"

"What about me?"

"Would you take back your dad if he was to come ask into your life."

"He's dead." I said my voice breaking at the end. I cleared my throat before continuing, "but I think everything happens for a reason."

"You're dodging the question."

"I don't know."

"Do you miss him?"

"Every single day." It was at that moment that the traitorous tears rolled down my face.

I was wiping my face when I felt a hand gently wipe away one of trail of tears. When I looked up I found Owen staring at me with a look I'd never seen on him before.

He slowly leaned in to me and before his lips could meet mine, I pulled away. My eyes looking anywhere but at him

"Why?" I felt myself speak.

"What do you mean?"

"You almost kissed me, why?" I said with a leveled voice.

"It just felt like the right thing to do. I mean you were crying."

"But you just can't kiss me because you felt like it. You did the same thing last time."

"You said it didn't mean anything."

"Well I lied. I lied and you know that. You know that I like you and your taking advantage of that."

I saw him clench his teeth but he didn't deny what I said.

"Why did you kiss me?"

"Are we really doing this again?"

"Yes. We're doing it again."

"Look. You're a really nice girl and that's why I'm telling you that I don't do relationships especially the ones you expect."

I felt more tears well up in my eyes. I knew he didn't like me. I knew he wasn't after a relationship with me. That didn't stop me from falling but the downside to it was that there was no one there to catch me . No wings to fly.

I gave a curt nod and left.