Snippet #2332591

The car was filled with silence and although Lydia was used to this, she had never heard silence quite this loud before. Sure, her father hardly started conversation and the majority of the time, Lydia never wanted to hear what he had to say. It was never anything good.

Today, however, she wanted - needed - a difference. She didn't know what she expected from her father, but this was suffocating. They were driving up the driveway towards the immaculate ivory mansion and although her mentor was there, Lydia felt more alone than ever and being alone...that never sit well for Lydia. And no, she wasn't an attention whore or anything. But being alone meant being with your thoughts and Lydia's thoughts...forcing herself to throw up while contemplating slitting her wrists were not the thoughts Lydia wanted to be alone with.

And her father was not helping the situation.

I mean, I'm your daughter damnit. Your little sunshine? Your baby? YOUR ONLY CHILD!? Isn't one part of you going to miss me!? She wanted to scream that at him. She wanted to cry in frustration. She wanted him to at least glance her way, damnit! But no, he couldn't even give her that satisfaction. He could care less if she was deciding to join the frickin' army. As long as he didn't have to deal with her, he was pretty okay with that. Lydia shook her head at that revelation, sitting back in her seat and folding her arms over her chest.

"Seems like it's going to be a nice place to live," her mentor said from the front passenger seat, catching Lydia's detached, sullen expression. The minute their eyes met, Lydia forced a bright and cheerful smile on her face.

"Yeah. A girl could definitely get used to this!" Her mentor grinned, a knowing glint in her eyes, and Lydia averted her gaze back to the lush greenery of the landscape. They seemed to have amazing gardens here and the sunlight was astounding. Lydia liked gardens and lilies were definitely her favorites. Lydia could definitely get used to it here. Finally, the vehicle stopped and Lydia was the first out. Instantly, she smiled at the sun's warmth that seemed to flood through her nerves and into her veins, filling her with a sense of power and light. Yeah, definitely could get used to this.

"Do you have everything you need?" Her father asked and Lydia glanced at him for a second before turning her gaze back to the sun. Almost instantly, however, her head whipped to the left to stare at him again and catch the tail of what was that? Longing? Concern? Regret? Did he actually care about her right now? Lydia's eyes widened.

"Y-yeah...I got everything," she replied dumbly and he nodded before leaving to retrieve her two suitcases. Lydia pulled out the bag that was with her and threw her purse in it. Just as she closed her door, her mentor was in front of her.

"It's going to be alright, sweetie," she said. Lydia shifted her eyes before tossing her hair over her light honey-blonde hair over her shoulder.

"Yeah. I'm leaving all my friends and everything familiar to a mansion where there are other kids like me. Freaks." The older woman winced at the sarcastic bite in Lydia's normally happy voice and sighed. She grabbed Lydia's arm before Lydia could walk away, making the blonde roll her eyes in irritation.

"I didn't do this to punish you for your abilities, Lydia. I'm doing this to help you." Lydia pursed her lips for a moment before returning her gaze to the woman. She looked up to this lady like a daughter would to their mother. Hell, she was practically Lydia's mother. But...she didn't understand and to a certain extent, Lydia didn't understand. She was happy and then she wasn't happy that she was here.

"I know...but that doesn't mean I'm gonna go all High-School-Musical happy for you."

"Lydia, this is a chance for you to start over." If she heard this one more time!

"And that's the thing! I don't want to start over," Lydia cried. Shaking her head as tears of frustration reached her eyes, Lydia took some calming breaths. "I don't know how. And you trying to remind me every second of this drive that I will be doesn't help at all."

They stared at each other for a long time, neither trying to break eye contact. Her mentor because she knew that Lydia was only trying to push her away, to distance herself from the pain of losing a familiar face. And Lydia because...because she didn't want anyone thinking she was in pain. After a beat, her Dad cleared his throat, not very used to the emotionally draining atmosphere. Glaring at her mentor one final time, Lydia turned her head and started walking away.

"We should probably find my room. I definitely wanna explore everything," Lydia exclaimed brightly as she led them to the front doors, ignoring her mentor's concerned look and her father's possibly stoic face. "Besides, I seriously need to change my outfit." And get the hell away from you two, she thought before the doors swung open and a red-skinned lady with horns? Were those really horns? Lydia blinked as she reached the woman, trying to keep the shock off of her face.

"We've been expecting you, Lydia," the woman told her and Lydia nodded like an idiot. "I'm Nadia and I will be escorting you to your room. These must be your parents, I'm guessing?" Lydia's eyes widened and she was pretty sure the two adults with her were just as red as the lady before her at this point.

"N-n-noooo...no, this is my Dad, Frank Bailey. And this is my mentor, Jane Walkers." The adults exchanged pleasantries before Nadia's piercing gaze returned to Lydia. After hesitating for a second, Lydia extended her hand and Nadia shook it with a smile.

"You'll be happy here, Lydia. I can promise you that," she said and Lydia stared at her for a long time, shaking her hand for a moment. That reassurance...it filled her with hope and without trying, Lydia's smile broke through the obvious frown she'd been wearing, teeth and dimples showcasing themselves.

"Thanks." They smiled at each other before Nadia glanced over Lydia's shoulder.

"I can take her things from here. I'm sure you have a long ride ahead of you," Nadia offered and Lydia was not surprised when she felt a handle of her smaller suitcase in her hand and Nadia taking the other one. She turned around slowly and immediately, her mentor engulfed her in a tight, warm hug that Lydia clung to. Reveling in the sweet smell of her perfume, Lydia laid her head on the woman's shoulder and allowed herself to be comforted by the familiarity. Finally, Jane released her and Lydia smiled as the woman retreated.

Her father stood there for the longest time. Lydia couldn't read his face to save her life and although it didn't frighten her or anything, she was left stumped. Did he have something to say? Was he going to complain? She was surprised he hadn't even commented on the odd-looking woman that greeted them. Instead, he turned to Lydia and did the unexpected.

He kissed her forehead!

It was so quick, Lydia almost hadn't caught it. But he had slid his hand through her hair, pulled her to him by the back of her neck, and planted a soft, hardly noticeable kiss on her forehead. He pulled away swiftly and Lydia was left gaping, eyes wide.

"Um...be safe," he said awkwardly before hurrying to his car. Blinking at the absurdity of what had just happened, Lydia glanced back at Nadia to see her smiling still.

"Ready?" Lydia smiled.

"Yeah."