Hate at First Sight

Chapter 15

Alice's P.O.V

The sound of rain on the rooftops was becoming quite comforting. I pull the covers further over my face and snuggle into my pillow. And then I hear footsteps rushing around outside my room. Which is not quite as comforting. I get up and slip some slippers on my feet. I open my door and glance around to see mom looking quite frantic.
"What's wrong?" I murmur, yawning.
"Sleep well?" Dad laughs.
"What?"
"It's half twelve." What? I never sleep for that long. I guess they've worn me out. Although yesterday was quite emotional, in my defence.

Mum continues to rush past me.
"Your sister left school early with some boy and now I get a phone call asking me to pick her up from the Garda barracks."
That's the police station basically, in Irish terms. I open my eyes wide now, alarmed.
"Why?"
"Just because of who she was with, they said they wanted to make sure she was brought home safely. He's been arrested. Or something. I dunno I couldn't keep up."
She grabs her car keys and rushes toward the front door.
"Wait!" I cry. "I'm coming."
"You're not dressed!"
"Give me two minutes!"
I rush in and throw a hoodie and jeans on with some sneakers. I pull my hair back into a pony tail and leave without any make-up (which is highly unusual for me.)
I rush out as the rain cools my skin. I shudder. I really can't adjust to all this rain. I plop into the passenger seat and mom starts driving.

"So tell me about you." Mom says suddenly.
I glance at her confused.
"What?"
"I've missed so much of your life and Amy told me bits, like if you were sick or you lost a tooth or learned to ride a bike or whatever but I want to know the stuff she didn't tell me."
I stare out the window trying to figure out how to answer this question. But I give up and just answer honestly.

"Ehm I dunno. I mean I've probably been a lot of trouble for Aunt Amy. There were times when I was quite reckless and cheeky and I'm very stubborn. I always like to get my own way. But really I'm not the girl everyone thinks I am. Some girl decided she hated me and spread a rumour that I was pregnant when I was fourteen and had never even kissed a boy." I take a breath.
Mom looks shocked. "Girls these days."
I continue.
"And one time they got a scissors and cut a chunk from the middle of my hair so I had to cut it real short to make it look okay again."
Mom looks upset at this point.
"Just little things like that." I say trying to lighten the mood.
"So I had to develop a thick skin. That's why I'm the confident girl who doesn't care what anyone thinks- because I do care but I need them to think I don't. Now they wouldn't dare do any of that stuff. Before I came here I was head cheerleader and the party girl and yeah..." I trail off.
Mom looks at me for a long time as she stops the car.
"I wish I knew you better. I wish I was there when you needed me. But I am now!" I lean over and hug her before opening the door and getting out of the car to face some more rain and probably my sister's wrath. I don't know what she thinks of me anymore.