Flawed (s.m.)

001.

My tiny feet padded down the carpeted stairwell with my long locks dancing behind me as the smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. The sight of my mother all dolled up in her latest dress almost made me smile, until I realized how much she has been annoying the living shit out of me. Lately, nothing got past her without some sort of rude comment or lengthy interrogation, and that truly sucked. My mother and I were close, but it seemed like that was being ruined by recent events. And my point was further proven as I made my way into the tiled kitchen to grab a quick snack, when I heard the sound of my mother groaning-- a sound I knew all too well. I rolled my eyes as my attention remained fixated on the pantry door, my stomach growling. Not surprisingly, my ignorance didn't cease my mother from making an unwanted comment.

"I asked you to do one thing, Audrey Ann," she states sternly, as if I should know what she's talking about.

I turned around to face her tiny figure, her hands placed on her hips and her lips pressed into a firm line. I felt my eyebrows furrow to form a crease on my forehead as I scanned my brain for an answer as to what the hell she was talking about. And boy, did I find an answer. I had completely forgotten that today was one of those strange days when my mom has one of her clients over, just for mere consolation and advice-giving before a big court hearing, usually having to do with divorce. When I tell people my mom is a lawyer, I kind of wish I could say she's some bad-ass criminal taker-downer, but really, she's just some sort of counselor for usually nothing but petty relationship issues.

"Well, are you just going to sit there and stare at me?" she questions, abruptly interrupting my thoughts. "Or are you going to change into something more decent?"

I narrow my eyes in response, peering down at my high-waisted shorts and white crop top. "Um I had planned on going out with Sofi and Mikay--"

"Audrey, please," she cut me off, her hands dropping to her sides and her expression almost immediately softening. She sounded authentically desperate, like she was actually pleading. "I know things have been crazy lately, and I know that you aren't too thrilled about the way I've been reacting to what's been going on.." she paused to take in a deep breath, shifting so that she was standing a bit closer to me. "But can you really blame me? I'm a full-time lawyer, single mother, and most importantly, your mother. Wouldn't anyone in my situation be worried? I mean, the doctors said--"

"I know what the doctors said, mom." I raised my voice, taking my turn to cut her off. I felt my own features rest into a slight smile as I looked at her. "I know you're worried, okay? We're going to get tests done, and we're going to make it through this." I chewed on my lip for a few seconds, causing a bit of an awkward silence. Even though my mom annoyed me, I knew that she was only truly worried for my health and that she has been trying as hard as she can to provide for me. As I look down at the floor, I sigh. "I'll go put something else on.." I muttered, causing her to sigh in relief.

--

About twenty minutes later, I've changed into leggings and a black tank top, with a stylish printed kimono to tie the look together. The look was still rather casual, but it was about as professional as I ever intend on being. As if on cue, I heard my name being called from downstairs. Quickly tying my reddish-brown hair up into a high ponytail, I quickly trotted down the stairs, hastily slipping my flats on once I reached the floor. To my surprise, not only was there a middle-aged woman accompanying my mother on the couch, but there was also a teenage boy awkwardly standing towards the middle of the room. There was something so familiar about him, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. While I was racking my brain for some sort of indication as to who this mystery boy was, my mother began to speak.

"Audrey," she began, her hand making a gentle gesture towards the boy. "This is Shawn. His mother brought him along today because they have to run some errands today," she explained. I folded my arms across my stomach, my hip slightly popping out to the side as I rested my weight on one of my legs.