Zenon's Game Chapter 203

"Life isn't perfect, mom, but why do we have to give up?" I asked, tears coming to my eyes now. I tried to push them back, "Fear is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Why can't I enjoy the good in life, instead of fearing what's to come?"

"Because you haven't seen it yet," she answered, "You didn't see when that family called social services on us and tried to take my kids away from me. You didn't see when your father left without any means to take care of this place and they threatened to kick us out of the house. We were almost homeless until your grandpa, may he rest in peace, stepped in."

"Who tried to kick us out?" I asked, "And who called social services on us?"

"The bank tried to kick us out when I couldn't pay the bills," she said, "and the Dawsons called social services on us."

"Zenon's parents?"

"Did you not hear me? Yes!"

FYI the above character poster is made by a reader!!

The above poster is made by another reader, so please be kind. I have specifically not mentioned how Candace looks like to encourage creativity and focus away from looks (since it's the inside that counts anyways)

7AM

I felt a numbness when I stepped outside this morning. I had been so excited for our trip. I'd even packed the night before.

But now, I was carrying more baggage than I ever expected: Emotional baggage that weighed down on me with every step.

But seriously, how could I kiss my boyfriend knowing his parents tried to destroy my family's life?

I try to tell myself that Zenon is different. He is different. We are different. We are not our parents...

And yet, we're still their kids. We can't change our history.

I placed my hand in my cardigan pocket and wrapped my fingers around the little bottle I'd plucked out of my mom's cabinet. I've never done this before, but I was feeling weak, alone, scared and I wanted to forget.

A little alcohol won't do me any bad, would it? We were about to go on holiday with loads of alcohol – what's the difference if I started early?

I saw Zenon walk across the street from his home to mine. He was wearing a dark blue coat and it was open, showing his gray sweater underneath. His hands were stuffed in his jacket pockets and he was looking down at his white shoes.

Am I being deceived? Is the whole world deceived by pretty looks?

It doesn't help that my dad never came home, that I'm leaving my mom alone for new years and that she's gone through a rough decade.

You know what else I find hard? I find it hard to say no to anyone. I'd like to say no to this trip now, but I made Cynthia go and Bryce had organized for me to be there. I didn't want to disappoint Zenon. Why do we grow up being taught to say yes to everyone?

I know my mom's hypocritical for lusting over my boyfriend in the most inappropriate way and then criticizing his entire existence the next. I know she's out of line when she calls me ugly and says my future is bleak. But she's my mom.

And she's sacrificed part of her life for mine and Heidi's.

"Candy," Zenon said, reaching me, "You're staring at the garden gnome again."

I didn't even realize. I'd been staring at gnomey while my thoughts spun in circles around my head.

"Here," he said, taking my duffel bag out of my hands.

It was so cold outside that when he wrapped his arms around me, all my hyper active thoughts cooled down. I calmed down. I pressed my ear against his chest, to feel the warmth of him.

He let go of the strap to my duffel bag and it slowly dropped to the ground beside us. He held onto me tighter, sensing that something was wrong. I felt the strength of his grip and felt comforted by his care.

His chin pressed down on my head and he murmured, "Whatever it is, it's going to be ok."

~Airport~

The destination board lit up with cities and flights heading all around the world. Some boarding now, some taking off and others delayed. The whole world was out there.

"Candace!" Cynthia cried out from across the airport. She ran towards me, rolling her blue suitcase behind her.

Her parents walked into the terminal, far behind her. They'd brought their other kids with them, who were all squirming at waking up so early.

Cynthia threw her arms around me and rocked me back and forth, "We're going to Dubai!"

"Yes!" I exclaimed, wrapping my arms around her too.

"So excited! And I brought the thing you asked me to bring," she said, patting her bag, "Though I have no idea why you want something like that. I get the sense it's not really Zenon's thing."

"It's a private joke between us," I answered, "But thank you for bringing it. I want to show him at New Year's."

"No worries!" she grinned excitedly, "I can think of something to give Axel for New Years."

"He promised you a protective bubble of safety," I laughed, teasing the weird things Axel had said on the phone while pretending to be Bryce's dad.

Cynthia raised her eyebrows suggestively, "He can wrap me in his protected bubble-"

"Hey Axel!" I exclaimed, stopping Cynthia from finishing that sentence in front of her future boyfriend.

Axel was walking towards us and pressed his finger against his lips with a mischievous grin, so we wouldn't say anything.

Zenon had just walked out of the bathroom and didn't notice Axel behind him. A second later, Axel jumped on Zenon, tackling him from behind. They laughed it off, just as Cynthia's parents reached us.