The Release

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Warning

*Eating Disorder*

(Listen to the song in bold when it's mentioned.)

I had to have dinner with my mother again. And to make matters worse, Simon's here too.

I didn't talk much. Or eat. I stuck a couple vegetables in my mouth, but it made me sick. I washed it down with water.

Simon and Mom joked with each other, talking about some new gym or something. I don't like that kind of stuff. I'm okay with the occasional workout, but doing it at 4 in the morning and then 9 at night is absurd.

Ruby plans on dying her hair, but she can't decide what color. Dom thinks she should do platinum, but she sent me pictures of her in 8th grade with that, and now I have blackmail on her.

Rogue thinks she should shave her hair down to a stubble and tie-dye it rainbow. He told me if she didn't, he would do it while she's sleeping. I am a little afraid that he's serious.

"Wayne's birthday is this weekend," I heard Simon say, "so I won't be home."

I almost forgot that it was on Saturday. That's when I'll wear it. I bit my cheek, trying not to reveal my smile.

"I have to leave on Wednesday for a couple days," Mom spoke up. "I have a 6 million dollar sale in San Jose."

"6 million dollars?" I raised my brows.

She nodded and I sat back in my chair, stunned. Mom only gets one million dollar sale each year. This is the biggest one she has ever gotten.

"With the interest from that, you could buy a whole other house," Simon pointed out.

"Well, hun," Mom patted him on the back, "I will put a quarter of it in a bank account for the both of you after you graduate highschool."

"Thank you, Mom," I said earnestly. She smiled back at me. I guess we are making progress.

"I gotta get Wayne something," Simon looked around, deep in thought.

I know what I could get him. New sheets. We ruined his.

I ate a few pieces of meat, trying to shove the words down my mouth. Mom and Simon talked for a little longer about who knows what.

"You went out with someone a few days ago, didn't you?"

"What?" My head popped up.

Simon furrowed his brows at me. "Yeah, I did."

I pursed my lips and looked down at my food. Shit.

"Who was it?" I asked.

"Who were you with?" Simon turned it on me. I opened my mouth to speak, but he went on. "You sound a little suspicious, man. I know it wasn't Rogue. Who was it?" He pestered.

"I- What about you, Simon? Who-"

Mom held up a hand. "Beth, stop it," she complained. "I don't want an argument."

I rolled my eyes and gritted my teeth. I ate some more, and while chewing, I looked at my mom. She tilted her forehead to me, raised her eyebrows and glanced at my fork then at me several times. I got the message.

Stop it. Stop eating, Beth. All it will do is disappoint her.

I stood up and took my plate from the kitchen. "I'm gonna eat this tomorrow," I lied.