a gentleman's mistress

II. 1989

YEAR: 1989

MIRA: 21 years old

"I like big butts and I cannot lie!" My hands slap against the wheel, as the music bounces in the car. "You other brothers can't deny. That when a girl walks in with an itty bitty waist." When I got closer to my destination, I lowered the volume and slowed down. 

The front door slammed open. 

"If you leave now, you might as well never come back!" 

Asena didn't respond to her stepmother, instead, she threw the luggage in the trunk. I watched as her stepmother cursed her out, while her stepsister stood by the doorway. When we made eye contact, her stepsister lifted a palm and twinkled her little fingers at me. Finally, Asena got into the passenger seat, and with red eyes, she said: "Can we please get out of here?"

Last week, I graduated from college with my bachelor's degree and two days ago, I received a letter of acceptance into medical school. I wouldn't say I worked hard to get into the particular school, I'm a legacy. As in, three generations of my family went there. Dad and Mom graduated from the school, and my brother also went there. So, it's no big surprise that I got admitted despite my lower grades in comparison to my classmates. 

Do I feel bad that I technically took someone else spot?

Yeah. 

 But, hey, that's life. 

Unlike me who has her future lined up for her, Asena's future is bleak. Her dad died the summer we graduated from high school, and a few days ago, she found out her stepmother forged the rejected letter. It turns out, she did get accepted into her dream school, but her stepmother used some bullshit about needing her around the house. In reality, she didn't want to lose a maid. 

"You sure about this?" I asked. 

Asena looks at the rearview mirror of what used to be her home. "Yeah."

Yesterday, while Gwen and I were talking to Asena. For some reason, I felt loopy and asked Asena if she wanted to move out of the state with me and be roommates. Asena jumped on the idea, and by the time I ground back into reality, it was too late to say: just kidding. 

I stopped at Gwen's house, and unlike Asena, she rushed out with a smile. I popped the trunk, and she threw her luggage in and then waved everyone goodbye. 

"Stay safe!" Mrs.Imogen says. "And stay together!" 

But, before we talk about roommates or medical school, let's talk about the present. As in, right now, we are on our way to Bulteria for summer vacation. 

Mrs.Imogen knocked against the window. I rolled it down, and she slipped in a bag, "For the road."

"Mom," Gwen whined. 

"Thank you, Mrs.Imogen," Asena says. 

"Be careful. Bulteria is a beautiful place, but it's still-"

"Vampire territory," Gwen said with a dead-toned voice, "We know. We'll stay in the tourist spot."

"Oh, cookies!" I grabbed one from the plastic bag, "We'll be careful! And thanks for the road trip food, Mrs.Imogen!"