Chapter 21: Pressure, Tension, and Time

~ Pressure is said to create diamonds, but the same thing that can push something to the best of its ability can also crush and destroy anything in its path if one is not cautious. The one thing people should always be aware of is the fine line between destruction and creation of something's peak form. ~

Even though I was still in the car, I was already nervous about going home and seeing my parents. I could only hope the time would pass quickly; anywhere was better than being stuck at home with the constant questions and judgment of my parents.

"Ms. Caputo, we're here."

"Do I have to go?"

"You are the one in charge of your destination, I can take you wherever you want to go, but you will be going back at the agreed upon time. Would you like to go somewhere else?"

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves, hoping to quell the shaking of my hands as I opened the door. "No. It's fine, I'll be ready as soon as you come back." I stepped out of the car and, unsurprisingly, my parents were not there to greet me. I thought to myself, I still can leave. I can go anywhere else. They would never know. But I continued to step towards the door. After a few more seconds, I rang the doorbell, waiting for someone to answer. After what felt like an eternity, my mother opened the door.

"Evelynn! It's so nice to have you back. Why did you ring the doorbell though, where's your house key?"

"I must have forgotten it back at the dorms. I was just so excited to see everybody again." I wanted to say how I didn't bring them because I wasn't even sure if I was going to come here today, but I kept my mouth closed. I heard a sound from my mom.

"Oh dear, make sure to remember them next time. After all, even though you are excited, you can't just forget important things like that. First it's your keys, then it's your phone. Who knows what else you could forget if you keep it up?"

I already dreaded coming back as my mother continued her speech about never forgetting anything important. It was almost funny, because out of everything people forget, my mom and dad apparently forgot that their daughter was a human who makes mistakes, not a perfect machine. I immediately began feeling my chest tighten, wishing I was wearing my necklace. Even without its abilities, having that with me always seemed to calm me down. I snapped back to the present as my mom repeated a question.

"So how is everything going?"

"It's going well. I am learning a lot, and because of how everything is set up, I am able to do a bunch of extracurriculars I was unable to do before, including sports and research."

"That's good. Just be careful, you don't want to start getting into sports though, you already look so pretty, why would you want to change that."

Another nail in the coffin. She always brought up how I looked. "Mom, I don't think just doing sports is going to change that much of how I look. Besides, it's a great stress reliever."

"Honey, you say that now, but trust me, come ten years from now, it will matter. Now I made sure to ask your dad to make some of his specialty dishes, but remember the rules, only one plate."

And that's three now. I've been home less than an hour, and already my mom had gotten around somehow to discuss all the things I hated, my looks, my weight, my responsibilities. I couldn't take it anymore. "Mom, can we not do this for tonight? I came up to see you guys and enjoy the time I have here, not get lectured."

My mom sat up a bit straighter, "I'm not lecturing you dear, I am just reminding you. You forgot your keys, what if you forgot some other things you were taught. Now, go get washed up, dinner is almost ready."

I walked to the bathroom, slowly closing the door. As soon as it was closed, I turned on the faucet. In reality it only took me a minute or so to wash up, but I kept it running as I tried to stifle the want to sob, choking it back down, as if I was swallowing a large pill. After a few minutes I splashed some water onto my face, trying to clear up the few tears that escaped, and went towards the dining room.

"Nice of you to finally join us, Evelynn."

My dad was sitting at the head of the table somehow already seeming to be disappointed with me even though I had just gotten here. "Sorry." I muttered.

"Don't be sorry, just make sure to do better next time."

"Yes sir." I sat down, and we started the usual dining routine. Nobody said anything, and we silently ate, with only the sound of cutlery hitting the plates filling the air. As I sat there eating, I thought back to the meals I shared with everybody else back at the Peace Keeper compound. Right now, I wished I was back there, honestly, I wished I was anywhere but here. I excused myself for a moment to go back to the bathroom. As soon as the door closed, I sent a message to the agent that drove me here, asking them to get me early. A few seconds later, I got a message confirming that it was received. I turned on the faucet for a few seconds, and then stepped out.

"So let's talk about this program." I jumped as my dad immediately called for my attention in the living room.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, we don't know much other than the bare minimum. Your mother and I would like to know more."

"Well it's hard for me to explain, but you can always ask the person who talked to you about it before. They would be able to better explain it anyway."

"We want to hear it from you though."

Thankfully, I heard a knock at the door. "I have to go, so I can't really answer you, because we are in a time crunch, but I'll try to send an email letting you know, as well as letting the people know so they can talk to you."

"Evelynn, sit down. I said I wanted to hear it from you."

"Dad, I have to go." As my dad got up to stop me, the door opened, and the agent stepped in.

"What are you doing in my home?!" My dad seemed to be getting frustrated.

"I am here to pick up your daughter sir. As you are aware, we are in a time crunch, and so we have to go."

"I want to speak with my daughter, so you can wait."

"I apologize, but that is not possible. If you have any issues, you can take it up to my superior, but I would advise reading the documents you signed when she joined this program. They clearly state that for any time sensitive trips, they must leave as close to the time set as possible. This is to allow optimal time for all the various activities that we set up for extracurriculars and classes."

My dad began sputtering, not used to someone outright denying them. As I stood there the agent slowly put their hand between my shoulder blades, ever so slightly pushing me to the door. My dad continued yelling, but the agent kept moving me forward. After we got out of the house and into the car, I broke down. After a few minutes, I wiped the tears from my eyes. "Thank you."

"Of course, Ms. Caputo. Listen, while they are your family, you told me you wanted to leave, and your requests have priority."

I slumped into the car seat, hands trembling, still crying, as we made our way back to the Peace Keepers.