She is Not Who You Thought She Was

Chapter 41/Y-Yes

He is the one who told me to stay away, but he's done nothing to ensure it.

I noticed I paused my sliding of each hanger. I glanced down at the one I stopped on. It was one of my more diverse tops. A strapless cropped sheer shirt but an abstract pattern of mixed neutral colors like; white, light brown, and a faded red. The top of it was styled in bunched fabric, I assumed to make you look more busty. The bottom was built like a corset but without the laces. I tilted my head thinking of how this could be styled. In an instant, I shot to my long sleeves and picked out a white turtle neck to wear under it. I would have to fold it up so it won't peek out from under the cropped top. Searching for my pants I wondered if a skirt would look better, but ditched that idea and went back to my dark jeans. I pick out a pair of black boyfriend jeans and a special accessory...a silver chain. The shoes were a no-brainer and I quickly laid out my clothes impressed with my finished product.

Just before I covered myself with my blankets I heard the garage door screech as it opened. Mom. It was ten and she was just now getting home. I jumped out of bed and trampled down the stairs. I met Blair in the entryway. She looked exhausted but better than she did this morning.

"You are home..." I paused, "earlier." I ended.

"Yes. Yes." She dropped her purse by the side table.

"Does that mean you finished catch up?" I asked hopefully.

"No, I did not." She said pressing her lips together tightly making them turn white.

"Oh." I looked down.

"Mr. Chase told me to go home earlier. He said that I have been working hard enough." She explained and I nodded resisting the urge to shiver with just a minor mention of him.

"Well that's good I guess. At least he notices your hard work." I moved my hand to my chin holding it as if I was thinking. I wasn't.

"Yeah." She said tiredly. The air settled awkwardly and I took that as my exit cue.

"We'll get some rest-"

"How's school? Did you make friends yet?"

"I'm sorry." I coughed. She stared at me with a blank tired expression and didn't repeat because she knew I heard her. She has never asked about my school life or friends. My dad was the only one who ever did. "Good. Grades are doing well. Made a few friends." I answered cautiously.

"Are you friends with Mr. Chase's daughter? What was it...Flavia?"

"Flora." I corrected her. "Yes, we went dress shopping. She invited me to go out with her Saturday night."

"That's excellent. I'm happy for you." She smiled weakly.

"Go to sleep, Mom." I walked away from her.

She needs to stop asking and worrying about me when she is fucking dying.

***

I was thankful for the ride alone to school. I needed it mentally and emotionally. I'm going to Frostee's today. I breathed out deeply. Today, I put my hair in loose curls and added a shiny eye shadow. I was excited, but my stomach was turning with nerves. I don't know why I lied to my mom about the gala last night...lied about Frostee. Maybe I didn't want her to think I have a boyfriend. Which I don't. Frostee said we aren't official he is just 'pursuing me', I thought back on his words. 'I want to get to know you more.' 'I want to talk about you.' My heartbeat sped up slightly. I slowly took a parking space and cut the ignition. Today was going to be long. Very long. I took a longing look at the little air freshener that Frostee got me when we kissed for the first time. I touched the little tree that now hung from my windshield and I caught my lips curving up. I shut my car door and watched Roxy and Trix approach me.