"No mum" I replied, changing the channel once more. "Then what's the reason you're failing?" she asked, clearly upset.
After the pleasant talk I had with Aiden in the car, I went home. To my surprise, mum was there, waiting for me at the door. Apparently, the school had called her to let her know all about the fight with Lindsay, plus 'express their concerns' as my grades haven't been the best they could lately.
With everything happening, I haven't exactly been able to give my all into studying. I'm constantly thinking about Aiden -if I'm not with him- so concentrating on anything other than him has been... difficult.
"I'm not failing, I just got a C" I said. I've always been an A student, so I understand her disappointment and concern, but I'm definitely not failing. She sighed, shaking her head. "Wanna tell me what the hell is going on with you? What was that fight? Who even is that girl? " she asked and I turned off the tv, taking a breath.
Who was that girl? I knew I couldn't tell her who she was, the chances of her putting the pieces together and telling Cole about me and Aiden were too high, and I couldn't risk it. So what could I tell her? She already knew Lindsay doesn't go to my school, so my options were even less now.
"She's Bailey's brother's girlfriend" I replied, before being able to grasp what I said. I didn't want to throw Nash's girlfriend under the bus -if he even had one-, nor did I want to think about what would happen if my mum looked into the case and found out I lied, but i couldn't postpone the answer any longer.
"And what does she have to do with you?" she continued with the interrogation, not very convinced by my answer. "She came looking for Bailey, but found me instead, and started a fight out of the blue" I said.
She nodded, not saying anything else. Instead, she started pacing back and forth in the living room. "I don't know where this behaviour is coming from, Evelyn, but I don't like it. Something better change soon, because I won't tolerate it anymore." she said, before leaving for her room.
I sighed, hiding my face in my hands. I knew she was right, but I also knew that it wasn't entirely up to me to make that change as long as crazy town was out and about.
Deciding I needed a break from... well, everything, I went up to my room to finish reading a book I had started about twenty years ago before we entered the Matrix.
I closed the door behind me, dropping myself on my bed like a bag of potatoes. I sighed, hiding my face on my pillow. My mind was racing, hundreds of thoughts torturing me with no end. I was so powerless against what was going on around me, I felt overwhelmed to the point where I couldn't even explain it.
I opened the book to the page I had last left it, an I couldn't focus on a single word I was reading. I checked my phone, hoping to see at least a text from Aiden, but none had came in. I quickly turned it off and tossed it to the other side of my bed. I was desperately searching for validation; something I could grasp on to, to feel that we were okay.
I looked at the pile of books on my desk, and instantly remembered all the homework I had. I got up and reluctantly walked towards the desk. I looked through the pile, grabbing my history book. Maybe if I read about someone else's life, I'd forget about mine.
~~~
Time went by like water, and it was already evening. I closed my book, satisfied with the work I had done. I reached my door, my hand going to the handle. My mind went to my mother. She hadn't spoken to me since the talk we had, and I wasn't sure if she was home. Praying she wasn't, I opened the door and headed downstairs.
To my surprise, my mum was there, having lunch with Jason. Great. I froze, not sure how I should react. "You're awake" Jason exclaimed, breaking the awkward silence in the room. I looked at my mum, confused. "We thought that you were sleeping so we didn't wake you for lunch. There's a plate for you in the oven." she explained, and I nodded, shaking my head as I walked towards the oven.
I wasn't dumb, I knew exactly what she meant by that; I'm still mad so I took the chance to have lunch with my son 'cause I didn't want you to ruin it by being there.
I took my plate and moved it to the table, taking a seat across her. I quietly took a bite, not looking at either her or my brother. I wouldn't say I felt hurt more than I was disappointed. I guess after all these years I still hadn't gotten used to the fact that my mum was a child trapped in a woman's body.
"Is it good?" she asked, to my surprise and I looked up at her, nodding silently. She didn't comment. "Jason and I will be going to grandma's later, so I'm leaving you in charge of grocery shopping. The list is on the fridge and ill leave money on the counter" she said before taking a sip of her wine. I nodded, not putting up a fight. I had nothing to do, anyway, maybe it would help me clear my mind.
Jason and her finished eating, and she quickly moved their plates to the sink, instructing Jason to go get dressed, as they were going to be late. He nodded, skipping towards his room, while she did the same.
I looked around the now empty room, sadness filling my chest. 'The perfect family doesn't exist, we shouldn't aim for perfect' is a phrase I heard throughout my childhood. I never wanted a perfect family, that was off the table for me since the early years of my existence In this damned planet. All I wanted, was to be able to say I had a family.
"I left cash on the counter, call me if you need anything" my mum's voice got me out my thoughts. She grabbed her keys and waited for Jason at the door. After giving me a tight hug, he joined her and they were gone.
I finished my food and put my plate on the sink. Noticing how many plates had gathered, I started washing them. No one's gonna do it anyway. I turned on the tv, to keep me company. The news played in the background and I instantly wished I hadn't made that choice, as nothing but negativity filled the room.
"The storage room included, amongst others, a large amount of narcotics, weapons and such. The culprits will be questioned in the following days. Members of the famous California mob are still missing, and police officers have not yet been able to track them."
As I heard the news a part of me wished the mob in question was ran by Lindsay and that our problems could be solved as easily as that, but I knew that was, sadly, a scenario my imagination was producing to help me cope.
I finished up with the plates and took the list in my hand, staring at it shortly. I grabbed the money from the counter, as well as my keys and my phone and I was on my way.
I found my way to the grocery store, and I noticed everything around me was Halloween themed. With the famous holiday just around the corner it seemed like everyone around me was solely focused on which costume to pick.
I wished that was my only concern but unfortunately, I could barely keep up with the days of the week, let alone remember Halloween. I roamed around the corridors, grabbing some candy along the way, and hoping the money I was given would be enough to pay for it.
Milk. Check.
Meat. Check.
Oranges. Check.
Lime. Check.
Tomatoes. Check.
I didn't know what my mom was planning on cooking using such ingredients, but I thought that since she remembered how to cook, we should be alright.
Next stop was coffee, also known as my biggest enemy. Apart from the fact that my stomach could barely digest it, it was also placed on the highest part of my shelf, therefore meaning I struggled a lot to reach it. Facing my sworn energy, I stood in from of the shelf, looking up to where the coffee was. I stood on the tips of my toes and tried my hardest to stretch my arm as far as it could go, but I quickly realised there was no use.
Suddenly, a hand was in front of my face, grabbing the coffee and handing it to me. "Struggling a bit, I see" I looked at the source of the voice, facing no other but Axel. I chuckled, gladly taking the coffee from his hand. "Thanks for that" I said and he shrugged it off.
"May I accompany you in this journey of grocery shopping, madame?" he asked and as much as I wanted to say no, I went along with it. "Yes you may, kind sir." I responded, adding the coffee in my basket and turning to walk with him.
"Whatchu cookin'?" he said, pointing towards the scattered ingredients in my basket. "I've no idea. My mother sent me to get these stuff, but frankly I do not know what she has in mind" I explained, making him giggle. "I get it. My mum used to do the same" he responded. I let the 'used to' part slide, as I knew it could possibly lead to a big conversation which was better off not taking place at a grocery store.
"You're planning a party, I see" I said pointing to his cart. "That is correct, my beautiful friend. Well, almost. A friend will be in town soon, and we're surprising him" he explained, and I nodded. "Lucky friend" I commented, making him smile.
"So,uh, how's the whole situation with black going? I saw you two hug today" he said, breaking the silence that had momentarily managed to fall upon us. I looked at my feet, nervous, not sure how I should respond.
"Are you watching me?" I tried joking about it, hoping it would save me. He chuckled. "You could say that, I guess. I wanted to at least get to walk you home, but you know how last period is, someone always keeps us late. As I was leaving I looked at the window and happened to see you." he explained, and I nodded.
"Things are still weird between us, mostly because of me, but I don't think he was sensed something. I just try to be as friendly as possible In front of the guys, considering they don't know anything. Since we're in the same friend group, I figured I shouldn't make out friends uncomfortable, you know?" I said, hoping my answer was satisfactory.
"I understand" he replied, and he actually seemed to be genuine. "you know they'll have to find out eventually, right?" he asked and I nodded. "I know, im just trying to make the ride as smooth as possible for them. They're the civilian population, after all." I said, making him laugh. "That's a good way to put it" he commented, and I agreed, laughing as well.
After a while of talking about his party, we reached the cash register, and once we both had paid, we said our goodbyes and parted ways. Once he was gone, I let out a huge sigh of relief.
Danger averted.
~~~
Friendly disclaimer that the chapter isn't edited cuz it's midnight and I really wanna sleep, so excuse any mistakes, I just wanted to get the chapter out asap cuz I know I've kept u waiting enough :)