Forlot: The Car on the Side of the Road - Book Forty-Two

Chapter Four

I hated talking to the mirrors. I hated talking about my issues. I am old enough to figure them all out. Dad and Mom always tell me how beautiful and smart I am. But I did not feel beautiful or smart. I was this poor excuse for a lady. I was not the ideal woman. Besides, they are my parents. They were complimenting me just because I am their daughter. Their one and only child.

I have a small family. Just me and my parents. I do not have grandparents or cousins or aunts or uncles, and if I do, I do not know them. However, I do not need a big family to be loved. My parents love me with every fiber of their beings. I do not know what I would do if I were not loved. Maybe I would run away.

Mom and Dad are always supportive of me, so I can go to them without being judged. I tell my side. Then they can give me advice. They act like close friends - if I had any. What the heck? They are my best friends. I cannot say the same for Rick's friends.

Rick has six buddies, which he considers them his best friends. But they are my nightmare. All six of them are jerks towards me. I am stunned that I have not dreamt of them. I wished that they were like Rick. Caring. Nice and gentle. Respectful. How did he end up with goons? Yes, his pals are goons. Monsters. They think that they are God's gifts to the world. They are full of themselves and bully me when Rick is not looking. Someone needs to teach them a lesson.

Little did I know that my wish would come true.

It was a day like any other. I could not wait to chill and do my favorite activities. I had yet another horrible day with my boyfriend and his goons. I had to get my mind off them. I had returned home from school and walked to my room. I tossed my bag on the floor and walked to my desk. I dusted off my dress and sat in the chair. My reflection stared back at me. It was so lonely - like me.

"Reflection. May I ask you something?" I said. I placed my head in my hands and uttered a long whoosh of air. "Of course I can. Who else knows you better than you? There is nobody else like you." I giggled and pretended to be my reflection. I had a conversation with myself.

"You can ask me anything...Ella."

"Okay...Ella." I laid back and tapped my chin. "Um...do you have any friends?"

"Nope. Actually, I do."

I clapped my hands. "Good for you. Who is this friend? And when will I meet her?"

"It is you, silly. You are the friend."

"Oh. I should have known. So may I ask you something else?"

"Absolutely. We are friends after all."

I rubbed my hands together. "Do you have a boyfriend, or have you started dating?"

"Why are you asking yourself, baby? You already know the answer."

I was startled and straightened my back. It was Mom. I pushed myself away from my desk and spun around. It was so embarrassing. My cheeks got hot. I know that it was my mom, but still. I wanted to tell her to leave and slam the door on her. But I am not that kind of person. I would never be cruel, especially to my own mother.

Mom was standing in the doorway and grinning. "That was so sweet, Ella. Reminds me of when you were only a young princess."

I slouched and clasped my hands in my lap. "I told you to not call me princess. I am not a princess."

She stepped into my room. "You are my little princess. Dad's and my precious princess."

I groaned and ran my hands down my face. "Mom..."

Her smile disappeared. "What did I say, Ella? I did not say anything appalling."

I glared at her. "Mom. How many times must I tell you to not call me your princess? I am not some princess. I never will be."

"You will always be our baby girl and our little princess and other nicknames that I cannot think of right now." She pinched my cheek. "My princess is growing up. My goodness. I cannot wait until she has children. I will be a grandmother!"

"Mom, I wish that you would stop pinching my cheek." I pushed her hand away and rubbed my cheek. "There is a reason why children loathe being pinched by their relatives."

Her face saddened. "But I love pinching your cheeks. It is not my fault that you were born with pretty cheeks. I can never resist your puffy cheeks."

I covered my cheeks. "My cheeks are not pretty. That is final. I do not have beautiful cheeks because I am not a beautiful girl." Tears formed in my eyes. "I never will."

Mom dropped to her knees and pried my hands off my cheeks. She held my face and frowned. "Who told you? Who told you that you are not beautiful?"

I was able to hold back tears. I did not want to lie. I did not want to lie to my own mother. It would be wrong. I have never lied to my parents. I gazed at my hands and played with my fingers. But I did not want to tell her. I was not ready to tell her and Dad about Rick. They did know that he was my boyfriend. They were joyful that I found love and wished me the best of luck.

I assumed that I was the luckiest girl in school - and in the world. That is, until our relationship declined.

I had no idea if he was losing interest in me. I felt blind like a bat. It was unclear to me.

Until he cheated.