Bad For You

twenty-two

I apologize that it's been so long I updated. If you'd like, you're more than welcome to re-read chapter twenty-one for a refresher, but just to summarize the key points so far:

• The winter ballet is coming up which is a pretty big deal for Aurora
• This year they're performing Swan Lake, and she's auditioned for both Odette and Odile
• Aurora's mother now wants her to join a ballet company straight after high school instead of going to Juilliard like they planned. Aurora is applying behind her back
• Aurora is still secretly dating Theo behind her mother's back
• Theo along with his friends came to watch Aurora's audition
• Aurora was supposed to come straight home after auditions, but instead she went out with Theo and their friends for dinner and bowling. And that leaves us here...

Enjoy!

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Where have you been?"

I've barely stepped through the front door when my mother fires the question at me. She's sitting down in the living room, legs folded, sipping a glass of wine. She doesn't shout, doesn't raise her voice.

She's perfectly calm, and that's the first red flag.

"I was out with my friends," I reply carefully. "We went to Fast Lanes."

My mother hums. "Is that so?"

I don't respond, instead folding my arms behind my back and fidgeting nervously. Her eyes sweep over to mine and she holds my gaze as she takes another sip of wine. It feels like the longest second of my life before she finally speaks again.

"Didn't I tell you to come straight home after auditions?"

"Yes but-"

"There are no buts Aurora. I gave you explicit instructions and you didn't listen."

"Why does it matter?" I burst out. "It's not like I find out what part I'm getting until next week! And auditions went well! I wanted to celebrate with my friends!"

"Don't raise your voice at me," she stands. "It matters because I told you to do something and you didn't do it! Just because I gave you a little more freedom doesn't mean you can take advantage of it! Because I can take it away-" she snaps her fingers. "-just like that."

"I am not some thing you can control!" I yell. "I am a human being with emotions and feelings and free will!"

She laughs mockingly. "Is that so? I hadn't noticed. Last time I checked you were my daughter!" She closes her eyes and inhales deeply. When she reopens them she meets my stare head on. "I'm going to ask you something Aurora, and I'm only going to ask you one time."

I wait.

"Who is he?"

My blood turns cold.

"W-who?" I stutter. My mother rolls her eyes.

"Do you think I'm stupid Aurora? People talk. I hear things. I know things. I was once your age, or did you forget that?" She raises a brow. "At first I ignored it because I couldn't possibly believe it to be true. Not when you know what's at risk. Not when I've sacrificed so much to get you here."

My stomach churns and I feel sick. "Mom-"

"So it's true," she interrupts. "You are seeing someone. You have a boyfriend," she spits the word in contempt. "Did you think you could hide it from me Aurora?"

I exhale shakily before standing up straight and clenching my fist. "I love him."

My mother barks out a laugh and I flinch. "Love? What do you know about love? You're seventeen for Christ's sake! You're a child!" She jabs a finger at herself. "You think I didn't love your father?" She sneers. "You say you're not like me, that my mistakes aren't yours, yet here you are making the same fucking mistakes!"