The Last Architects

Chapter Nineteen.

 'Your highest grades have been in Art History, my love. Please tell me you're not falling back into that little hobby? It wouldn't be such a big deal if you weren't failing Mathematics.'

I wasn't surprised my mother had gotten her hands on my grades, or that for the first time since moving out, this was the only thing she called to talk about... But dealing with her while having a hangover was just a chore. "Yeah, I know. I'm going to get a tutor for the class. And Art History is easy, that's the only reason I have a good grade..." We didn't talk to each other like mother and son. More, as if she was my boss and I was trying her best to get me to quit. "I have everything together... You don't have to worry." I brought my knees to my chest when I heard the bathroom door open.

'You always say that, Ema. Then you go and do the next most reckless thing you could find. Also, how is Heidi doing? The Becker's were thinking of visiting from Germany and I thought a family dinner would be nice.'

She never asked me that... Burying my resentment towards Heidi, as well as ignoring Skyler, I moved an arm over my eyes while leaning forward. "I won't be able to make it... I have a lot of homework and I have to make a prototype-, hey, can I call you next week? I have to go." We weren't a family for daily calls and constant affirmation. And eventually, that worked for me. And as I met Skyler's glance, no matter how fast he looked away, it was obvious he was fairly curious.

'I figured you wouldn't. And yes, call me then. Say hi to Heidi for me, goodbye, Darling.' The call went silent right as I opened my mouth to answer, and I felt a knot form in my throat.

"Did you have something you wanted to say?" I raised a brow as I let my back fall against the mattress, hardly remembering a thing from the night before apart from Professor Rand's lips against mine...

"Why did you get so wasted?" Skyler crossed his arms as he leaned against the wall, and it only then hit me that I might have not come home necessarily quietly.

"...I went out with friends, it was two for one or something. Why do you care?" I frowned.

"... did you not question how you had a clean face, brushed teeth and changed clothes?" He gave me a skeptical look and I paused at the realization that that had gone completely over my head.

"...You changed WHAT?!" I quickly got up, looking over the new outfit I had on.

"Your clothes. You stunk. Don't worry, I took my glasses off." He shrugged as if it wasn't such a big deal, "it's worrisome though, so perhaps only drink with friends that care about your well being." Skyler scoffed and I aimed a pillow at his face.

"Who do you think you are! Taking off my clothes while I was intoxicated and then lecturing me about who I go out with! I can go out with anyone I want, whenever I want! Stop acting- like- like that!" I groaned, covering my face. I had been perfectly safe. More than safe...

"Unlike me, others would probably have nefarious intentions. Don't be so stupid." He walked to his bed and I got up to go to the door, "you didn't question anything, that's how drunk you were, you know how easy you are to pick up? That was idiotic."

"Look, okay! Okay! I get it! So stop calling me stupid!" Ugh. I knew that wasn't targeted at him. "Thank you, is that what you want to hear? It's not like I asked you to do that..."

"Just don't do it again, that's all." He stood, "might want to wipe off what I wrote on your arm."

"I saw. This is exactly why you don't have a boyfriend, you're mean, controlling, ugly, and you vandalize people's bodies." I took a deep breath, stepping into the bathroom to change. "And many more reasons. But I don't want to make you cry." Ironic, as I felt like I'd be the one to do so any minute now.