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Chapter 2: Nate
As I'm about to put on my glasses, the reflection of my mom, a petite woman with shoulder-length hazel hair, appears in the mirror.
She leans onto the open door, and her eyes, which are as dark as mine, gleam with sadness.
"I'm sorry my life has affected you," her hands fold, and her head drops.
"Mom, it didn't." Immediately, I go to her.
Her head rises. Tears saturate her eyes.
"You should be at your former school, carrying the title of captain of the swim team, and with your girlfriend and your friends."
Tears flow from her eyes. She hastily wipes it away before it can reach her cheeks.
I take her hand and look deeply into her eyes to avoid her black eye and the bruise on her right cheek. That is almost healed.
"I'm right where I belong, here with you." I say.
She smiles right before hugging me; my arms envelop her.
"I don't want to be the reason why you're late." She pulls away.
"Do you have all the documents?" she asks.
"Yes."
Her hand extends to my glass to remove it, and I hold it, noticing that she's still wearing the diamond ring.
"I thought you'd put it away," I say.
Immediately, she thrust back her hand.
She lowers her gaze, mortified to look at me.
"I'm late." I kiss her and walk off.
"Okay, bye," she answers.
I nod, continuing on my way.
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