Witchling Academy Semester Eight - Avery Song Page 0,15

whispered. "I wasn't supposed to finish."

Lifting my head, I noticed Mother at the door. She was leaning against the door frame, her tired eyes looking extra worried, which had me wondering if something was wrong.

"Hey, Mom," I quietly greeted. "Is something wrong?"

"I've been trying to get your attention for over an hour," she revealed, which made me gawk in surprise. "Your father came earlier and noticed you were into the book when he tried to get your attention, but it's already eleven," she revealed.

"Oh," I replied. "I'm not sleepy."

"I know, sweetheart." Mother gave me a slight smile as she moved from the door frame and walked over to my bed. Sitting on the edge, she gave me a long look before she continued, "I'm not trying to say you have to go to bed, Brianne. You haven't eaten anything today."

Oops. Food. I forgot that's a necessity.

"I forgot," I admitted and lowered my gaze to the book. "This book really intrigued me. It's kinda dark, but it's about wolf shifters and northern lights and stuff. I didn't think I'd get so absorbed by it, but I guess it proved my assumption wrong."

I tried to smile as I returned my gaze to hers, but I wasn't sure it reached my eyes. I was never good at acting like everything was okay when it wasn't. A face like an open book never helped anyone.

Mother slowly nodded and looked at the book cover that literally reminded me of the northern lights because of the greens, blues, and purples. The girl in the middle was pretty badass to look at, being an intriguing misty shade of blue with nude lips and flawless skin.

What caught my attention the most was the two wolves on the cover that took a good chunk of space. They stood at her sides, almost protectively, yet I knew the secrets of their loyalty to the main character.

"I'm glad the next book comes out tomorrow, but I don't really feel like lining up to get it or anything. I know I can grab it on my e-reader, but I don't really feel like reading through a device," I muttered while looking at the book yet again. "There’s something about having a book in your hands that makes reading a cherished moment in time."

"I agree," Mother admitted and reached out to lay her hand gently on top of mine. "Why don't I grab it for you tomorrow?"

I blinked and gave her a confused look. "You'll...go buy it for me? You don't have to. I mean, you're busy and have more important things to do, like help put murderers in jail and all that jazz," I defended. "Besides, the trial is coming up, right? I'm sure you and Dad have to focus. You don't need to be here, babysitting me."

"Brianne." Mother's voice was tender yet carried a firmness to it. "We're not babysitting you."

"You shouldn't have to sacrifice your valuable time for me. I'm fine being alone."

"I'd sacrifice everything in my world for you, Brianne," Mother quietly confessed, her words forcing me to meet her sad eyes as she reached out to tap my cheek. "Being here for my child who's dealing with something as traumatizing as what you and your boyfriends experienced is my duty as a parent. It's not a burden or hindrance. Your dad feels the same way. That's why we've taken a few days off."

"W...What?" I couldn't understand.

"I know we've always allowed you and Starlight to be rather independent. We always put our careers ahead when you were younger because we knew your sister would be around and you were such an independent child who was focused on learning at your own pace. However, we allowed that because we were confident you didn't need us lingering around. Even when you were bullied or treated unfairly by your peers, you gave off a strong persona that told your father and me that you'd be okay. You could get through it."

"And now?" I whispered.

Her sad smile widened as she reached out to stroke my head.

"Now that lovely wall of confidence has crumbled down and needs some time to repair. That's why Daddy and I are going to be your temporary walls until they're repaired and back up again."

That made me smile as I closed my eyes, my head hanging low as I soon realized tears were running down my cheeks.

"Mom?"

"Yes, Brianne?"

"Why...are people so cruel?" I lifted my head then, allowing more tears to spill down my flushed cheeks as I looked for