The Paths We Choose

Chapter 3 (pov. Lisa)

     "The popcorn is ready," I recall the younger version of myself brimming with excitement at my mother's words. I sat eagerly as the movie "sound of music" filled the room, but suddenly, my mother appeared. Her eyes black, her nails long, and her smile utterly terrifying. Horror crept across my young face. She was a monster.

     As I walked to the kitchen to pour orange juice into a glass, my dad came into the room. "I heard you up last night," he remarked, avoiding eye contact. "Yeah, I couldn't sleep," I replied quietly, feeling his lack of concern. Those few sentences are our daily interactions. If only he knew the women he was once married to was the face in most of my nightmares.

     Liana rolled down her window and greeted me with, "What's up, bitch?" I rolled my eyes, leaning against her car door. "You still fucking with Trev?" I asked with a smile. "You still a virgin?" she shot back, I became fake wounded. "So I take that as a yes," I retorted. "Just get in," she said as she rolled her eyes at me.

     Entering my first-period class, I sensed surprise from the teacher as I arrived for the first time in weeks. I didn't show up empty-handed of course, still clutching my coffee—the only reason I managed to be punctual.

     Enduring countless hours of tedious classes that seemed to stretch on indefinitely, I wanted to condense them into minutes. Finally, the bell rang, signaling lunchtime, and I eagerly headed for some fast food.

     Meeting Liana at her car, we made our way to a nearby Wendy's. "Just order me what I usually get; I'm going to the bathroom," she instructed. As she walked away, a voice caught my attention—a girl speaking loudly on her phone. Though I didn't mean to eavesdrop, "Mom I'm not wearing those sweaters for family photos this year." I couldn't help but overhear her conversation with her mother, filled with warmth and familiarity. I longed for such a simple, healthy conversation again with my own mother.

     "Lisa, you didn't order yet?" Liana's return snapped me back to reality. "No, sorry," I replied, I could feel she felt I was acting ridiculous. Although she would never say that. "It's okay; I wanted to add a frosty anyway," she reassured me.

     As we were about to leave Wendy's, I spotted the girl by the door. I tried to ignore her, but something compelled me to speak up. "Wear the sweaters," I urged her. She looked puzzled, prompting me to explain, "Trust me, wear those sweaters with your mom, let her post corny photos of you on Facebook, and don't take it for granted." Now both Liana and the girl stared at me in confusion. "I would give anything to even be near my mother again," I confessed. Understanding dawned on their faces, and they looked at me sympathetically.

     "Maybe I will, thank you. My name is Adora," the girl introduced herself. "My name is Lisa; sorry for coming off the wrong way; I just overheard your conversation earlier," I apologized.

     We ended up sitting with Adora, discussing almost anything. She shared stories about her loving mother, her older brother, and her dad. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy at the simplicity and warmth of her family life. We exchanged numbers and concluded our lunch with plans to hang out again soon.