Acceptance

Mandy knew from the onset that things weren't going to go easy between Irianda and herself but never expected her to ran from home. "Where could she have gone?" She muttered as she hurried along the quiet alley of Garosugil street; a tree–lined street where trees can be seen everywhere. Her eyes diligently searched around for any sign of her daughter but she was nowhere to be seen.

After a few minutes, she came to a two path street. She instinctively drew in a sharp breath, raking her fingers through her hair as she processed on which path to take.

Just when she took to the one on her right, Leticia drove in from the other end. She was about rounding into the street to Mandy's house when she noticed her from afar.

She instantly blew the horn, drawing her attention towards her direction.

"Leti–" Mandy said on noticing her and rushed over. "We need to find Irianda." She hastily muttered while pulling the car door opened and settled beside her.

"Irianda?" Leticia uttered with a quizzical gaze, stealing glances at Mandy whiles she reeled her hands around the steer wheel, turning the car to the path which Mandy had taken earlier. "What happened between you two?" She questioned.

Mandy glanced shortly at the porcelain skinned lady whose chestnut hair fell freely on her shoulders and gave a half shrug. "I don't know Leti." She answered, aggressively running her hands through her hair. "Was just trying to have her understand everything but..."She paused, deftly spreading her left hand, gesticulating with a sigh while she rested her chin on the other hand. "Everything went out of hand." She said with teary eyes.

Leticia felt her pain but there was nothing much she could do to help her. She sighed, stroking her arm for some seconds. "So where were you headed to?" She queried.

"Not so sure. Just take this path let's see." She replied, pointing an alley just ahead of them.

"Okay." Leticia replied.

She took the alley Mandy suggested and soon drove into the main streets of Garosugil which also had many stores, restaurants and cafés aligned at each side apart from the planted trees.

*****

It has already been 30mins since Irianda left home. She wandered from alley to alley, drying her tears with her hand as the words of her mother kept ringing in her mind.

Her subconscious mind took the best of her while finding difficulty digesting the piece of information she had just received.

Irianda was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't even realized how far a distance she had walked from home and the fact that she wasn't feeling any sense of tiredness whatsoever.

Suddenly, the persistent horn of a car brought her back to reality, making her jerked out of it's way. It was by then that she realized she was almost close to Milly's house.

"Hey, are you lost?" The driver asked, briefly halting by her side. She instinctively shook her head in refusal which made him slightly furrowed his brow with a sceptical look on. "You should be more careful then." He cautioned and drove off.

Irianda stared at the car as it faded away in the distance to the apartments aligned on her right to which Milly's house was second, counting from her left.

Without hesitation, she marched toward it. Irianda knew she wouldn't be able to tell Milly about her true identity but all she wanted to do at the moment was to be away from home.

Mrs. Park, Milly's mother was busily putting up things in the kitchen when she heard the bell rang. She had wished Milly would take care of that for her but she was far up in her room and Mrs. Park knew getting her down was going to be a hell of a deal.

She slightly shook her heard, drying her hand with the napkin and rushed off to the door. She deftly pulled it opened and her face instinctively heightened in surprise seeing Irianda. She swiftly lurked around then back to Irianda 's tear drained face.

"Can I come in Mrs. Park?" Irianda questioned, her voice shaken with tears.

"Sure dear" She muttered softly, sceptically lurking around as she draped a hand over her shoulders. "Did you come here all by yourself?" She asked while allowing her in. Irianda in turn, nodded her response as they walked into the living room with Mrs Park's hand still around her shoulders. Getting to the sofa, she made her settle in whiles she went to the kitchen and brought back a glass of water for her.

While Irianda took the water, Mrs. Park called out Milly. Within the next few seconds, she was joined them.

They both tried to have Irianda open up on why she was crying and how she came over alone but she just wouldn't say anything. It was still during the weekends which meant no school and nothing much to do around the house. With Irianda still not talking, Mrs. Park passed out a random comment, pointing out how worried her mother might be not knowing her whereabout and hinting how children are important part in their parents life.

Irianda had earlier not wanted Mrs. Park to call her mother but with her talks, she got to understand how her mother might have felt all those past years and even now. She felt bad for what she had done and gave Mrs. Park the go ahead to call her.

After about 20mins, they heard the sound of a car engine in front of the house. Within a few seconds, it died out. Mrs. Park knew without being told that it was Irianda's mother. She hurried to the door and true to her instincts, it was Mandy and her friend.

Mrs. Park's mouth curved into a soft smile seeing them.

"Thanks." Mandy grumbled as Mrs. Park side stepped from the door, giving them way in. Mandy hastily rushed to her daughter on seeing her. She crouched before her, drawing her into a hug. "I'm so sorry Irianda." She uttered as tears trekked down her face.

"I'm also sorry mum–" Irianda muttered amidst tears.

Mrs. Park, Leticia and Milly stared at the emotional scene quiet happy. Though Mrs. Park didn't understand what was going on, she was glad to help.

Leticia who understood what was going felt extremely happy seeing mother and daughter reunited. Her mouth instinctively curved into a smile while she turned towards the door with her phone in hand.

A few distance away from the rest, she called the office and sought permission for Mandy to be absent from work. It didn't take so much effort for her plea to be accepted as Mandy was very hardworking and highly honoured by their boss.

With everything done and said, Mandy and Leticia pleaded an excuse to leave to which Mrs. Park gave them the go ahead. She saw them to the door and they sauntered to the car. Irianda settled in the back seat whiles Mandy and Leticia glided to the front. Just on settling in, Leticia hinted out the oneday absent leave from the office to Mandy who was glad to hear.

"Thanks Leti, I owe you one." She said, her face dazzling with smiles.

"Just have fun." Leticia replied, returning the smile. "I will drop you two and head to the office by taxi." She added and sped off.

*******

It had already been weeks since Irianda accepted herself and had since been learning a lot about her hybrid and how to control her powers, especially shape shifting but has still not been able to gather the courage to tell Milly about her true identity. The fear of losing their friendship just wouldn't let her.

For some reason, Milly felt Irianda had changed a lot lately. And wanted to know why but Irianda was not letting her in on it.

It was a bright and clear day at QUEENS TO HEART INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL with the school bustling with it's usual activities and no special happenings, not until Milly decided to confront Irianda on why she had been acting weird lately.

Irianda was on her way from the library after completing an assignment when she heard a familiar voice called her from behind. She deftly turned, knowing who it was.

"Did you just finish your assignments? "Milly questioned.

"Yes, " She answered. "Mr. Sun said he will take it before school today so I had to complete it." She explained.

There was a brief silence for a while and Irianda knew from Milly's face that there was something on her mind. "Hey, are you okay?" She questioned.

Irianda 's brow furrowed in confusion while Milly stared at her for some few seconds. "What are you keeping from me Irianda?" She busted which made Irianda a bit uncomfortable.

"Nothing." She hastily muttered but Milly knew her better than that. She knew she only acted that way when she is nervous about something. "I have to go." Irianda continued but Milly wasn't ready to let go that easily. She followed after Irianda being persistent on what she wanted to know. Irianda on the other hand was already getting irritated by her persistence. Just as they glided into the corridors, Milly tried to hold Irianda 's shoulders to bring her to a halt but then, her hybrid side took the best of her.

Just as Milly touched her shoulders, a strong energy from her hit her hard, making her fall face down as her nose hit the floor, causing it to bleed. Most of the students who were passing by noticed them and a teacher rushed over to help Milly up while some of the students gathered around.

Irianda on realizing what she had done, hastily turned to Milly's direction. Just as she took a step to her, Milly stepped back with a panic stricken look while holding her bleeding nose.

"Stay away from Me." She shouted.

The teacher stared sternly at Irianda and sauntered off with Milly to the infirmary, leaving her behind.

She lurked around at the glaring eyes of the students gathered with each of them whispering something which wasn't clear. Tears instinctively filled her eyes as Milly's words rang in her mind and she sped off.