All Is Fair In Love and War

Chapter 8: Hate

"I guess both" I said while trying to gasp for air.

"I know how you could repay me," he said teasingly. "Let's shower together" and he winked at me.

---

Showering with Bryce was...well...different. He knew I felt sore from our time together yesterday so he lathered me in soap, washed my hair, helped me out of the shower and brushed my hair. His touch was so soft and I felt comforted by being with him.

"Any plans for today, beautiful?" he asks as we lay in bed after our shower. I check the clock that was placed next to my bed. It's barely noon.

"It's Saturday. I usually go out for a run at this time." I didn't look like the running or exercise type, but I was trying to maintain a healthier lifestyle.

As soon as I finish my sentence, I hear my phone beep. It's my mom. She's sent me a text message.

Hey sweety. Could you come over to the house today? It's important. The sooner you get here, the better it will be.

I sighed after reading the text. I guess I couldn't hang out more with Bryce, like I had intended to.

"Change of plans... I have to go meet my mom." He looks at me and senses the disappointment in my voice.

"Is everything okay with you and your mom?" he asks, while raising an eyebrow. "No, it's not that. It's just that I wanted to lay in bed with you and now I'll have to leave."

He leans in to give me a peck on the lips. "If you want, I'll drop by tonight. We could continue our date night. I don't have to work today, anyway."

I smiled.

---

I parked my car in front of my mom's house and ran towards the door. It was raining outside, and I was not dressed for the weather.

My mom opened the door as soon as I knocked. I gave my mom a huge hug. My mom was the only parent I had. My father passed away when I was a child. My mom dated, but she explained to me that she was never going to marry again. My father and mother met at a really young age, were friends and eventually started dating when my mom's dad allowed her to initiate a relationship with him.

"Have a seat in the living room, honey. We have to talk," my mom said. She was walking behind me. Once I got to the living room I froze. We weren't alone. Arlene, Ron, Jeremy and my aunt Michelle were sitting there too.

Things were about to get ugly.

---

I turned around and looked at my mother. My mother's look was one of guilt. I knew she did not do it to bug me. My mother respected my wishes of not wanting to talk to Arlene...but this was betrayal. All three people I did not want to talk to were there..waiting for me.

"I think I should leave," I said as I was walking out of the living room and towards the door.

"Sweety, please. Please stay..for me," my mother pleads. Hearing how upset and saddened she was made me change my decision.

"Fine. But if things get crazy, I will leave." I walked back and decided to stand. I did not want to sit near Ron, Jeremy or Arlene.

There was no noise in the room. I felt like there was a huge elephant in the room. My gut told me that I wouldn't like this random and unexpected meeting.

"So...Kay," my aunt Michelle says, "I think my daughter owes us all an explanation of what is going on." She cleared her throat and moves her gaze to Arlene. Arlene seems unmoved by her mother's words.