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[Dear Leyla,]
Dear Leyla, "Maybe you haven't noticed, but my emotions are dangerous. I can't afford to feel anything." Rachel was absolutely crushed when yet another mission came up that would force her to cancel her holiday plans. Usually, the Titan took pride in her work and her ability to help people whenever they needed it, but in this particular moment, it felt like yet another time where everyone else came first and those around her that she cared most for had to suffer.
The mission was urgent. She could already hear the others packing up their belongings so they could all jet off, but instead of gathering her things together, Rachel sat quietly at her desk with her phone directly in front of her. She had to do it. She had to call her mother and tell her that the feast and festivities she’d been planning for the whole family would have to go without her youngest daughter. The thought broke her heart knowing how much it meant to Leyla to have them all together, but what other choice did she have? As always, Rachel’s life took a backseat to her heroic duties.
Pale fingers slid over her phone, taking the device into the palm of her hand and staring at it through violet eyes. What was she supposed to say? That the Titans once again had to come before her adoptive family? It felt unfair and even worse to do so in a hasty phone call. On a whim, the teen pulled open one of her desk drawers and grabbed a piece of lined paper, her other hand reaching for a pen. Her mind ran faster than her hand was able to maneuver her words onto paper, but she only hoped she would be able to capture everything she wanted to say.
Dear Leyla,
I’m so sorry. For every canceled plan, for every missed birthday, for every time you’ve asked me to come and I’ve been unable to be there for both you and the rest of the family. I so badly wish that there was some sort of compromise between the Titans and my Rashid family, but I’ve accepted my destiny to help and protect others that need it. This is what I was meant to do with my life and with my lineage. I hope you understand why I will again miss another family holiday.
It feels so unfair that you’ve given me everything and I’ve been unable to be the daughter I know you’ve wanted me to be. My life has been filled with so much anguish and in a sea of chaos, you brought me light. You’ve given me the only thing I’ve never been able to have on my own. You gave me the opportunity to be a normal teenager when I never thought it could have been possible. You gave me a family I’ve been able to depend on even in my darkest days, you’ve given me a home away from home where I can relax without feeling like the weight of the world rests on my shoulders.
I will never be able to repay you for all of the things you’ve given me. This life outside of the Titans means everything to me and the fact that I’ve been unable to enjoy your company pains me greatly. Hopefully one day I will be able to show you that the good you’ve done for each one of us has caused the best of ripple effects on the rest of the world. We wouldn’t be here without you.
All my love, -Rachel
A small sigh escaped the girl’s lips, setting the pen down on top of the filled page before finally lifting her hand to wipe away the tears that had formed in her eyes. She didn’t dare let them spill over and fall to the page, for her mother would know and her heart would ache. Carefully folding the page in half, Rachel slipped the letter into an envelope and sealed it, neatly scrawling Leyla’s name on the outside. Now she just needed to deliver it discreetly without anyone knowing she’d been in the house.
“Rachel! Let’s go! We need to head out!” “One minute!”
The teen called back to her fearless leader, getting to her feet and adjusting her cloak to hang loosely around her body. Without a second thought, Rachel opened a portal, the other side leading directly into the bedroom of Leyla’s New York mansion. If she knew her mother like she did, the Allmother would be in the kitchen preparing for all of her guests to arrive. Forever the host.
Setting the envelope down atop her pillow, Rachel blinked back another set of tears. It was difficult to see it sitting there and waiting for her mother, but her team needed her. Jump City needed her. That had to come first, even on Thanksgiving. (c) powered by taste the blood
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