Two Homes, No Place for Me Chapter 02

Two Homes, No Place for Me Chapter 02

Both Mom and Dad want Juliet to spend her first weekend at their new homes, and neither of them is willing to change their plans.

In the end, the two housewarming parties are scheduled for the same day.

Neither home has invited me to move in, but both expect me to show up early and help.

Some of my college admission documents are still at both houses. I need them to get everything ready for move-in, so I have no choice but to agree.

That morning, I head to Dad’s house first.

The first thing he asks me to do is clean Derek’s new study.

It used to be my bedroom.

The pencil marks I made on the wall when I was little are still there, the ones we used to mark my height as I grew.

Beside the highest mark, Derek wrote something in crooked handwriting when he was little:

“Anne is still going to grow taller.”

Dad hands me a damp cloth.

“Family, pack members, and a few Alphas and Lunas will be here soon. Get this place cleaned up. I don’t want anyone knowing someone else used to live here.”

I tighten my grip around the cloth and slowly wipe away the pencil marks.

They are traces I left behind as a child.

The last proof that I ever lived in Dad’s house.

And now, I have to erase them myself.

In the afternoon, I rush to Mom’s house.

I run errands, arrange the food, hang decorations, and clear the dining table. I barely stop moving the entire time.

By the time the housewarming party ends, I still haven’t had a proper meal.

Juliet, on the other hand, doesn’t have to do anything.

Dad says she’s still adjusting to the new house and needs to get plenty of rest.

Mom says she still needs to change dresses later and can’t risk getting her clothes dirty.

Derek is busy making adjustments to Juliet’s bedroom at Dad’s house.

Holden drives her from one housewarming party to the other.

When it’s time to take a family photo at Dad’s house, one of the older pack members waves me over.

“Anne, come on. Get in the picture.”

I take one step forward, but Dad stops me.

“Wait.”

He looks at me.

“We’re taking a picture of everyone living in the new house. You’re moving into the dorm soon. It wouldn’t really make sense for you to be in it.”

Then he hands me his phone.

“Here. Take the picture for us.”

I stand outside the frame.

On the screen, Dad, my stepmother, Derek, and Juliet stand shoulder to shoulder.

Behind them is their newly renovated home.

I’m the only one missing.

When it’s time for a family photo at Mom’s house, I don’t even step forward this time.

But Mom still hands me the phone.

“You’re good with pictures. Take one for us.”

I don’t take it.

After several seconds of silence, I finally find the courage to ask,

“Am I NOT part of this family?”