CHAPTER 140: HOMECOMING

We head inside, and I take a deep breath, walking into our house. My family's house always makes me feel happy, like I'm somewhere safe and full of love. Mom's burning some cinnamon candle, and I can hear noise from the kitchen.

"What's that smell?" Kent asks, and I laugh.

"Mom loves scented candles, it's probably some clearance one that she picked up from somewhere," I explain, unsure where the nearly offensive candle was. Kent hated strong scents; he claimed they gave him headaches. "Sorry."

"It's okay, just... don't go burning anything like that at our place," he says, and I chuckle, reaching for his hand.

"Hello?" I call, bringing Kent to the kitchen, and mom gasps, hopping up from the stove and running over.

"Juls," she whispers, squeezing the life out of me. "I'm so glad you could come."

"Me too, I missed you," I whisper, and she pulls back, rubbing my arms in that aggressive mom-like way.

"And I missed you, oh! You're so beautiful and smart-"

"Okay, mom," I mumble, and s