At the lake

Chapter One: The Worst of me

"You shouldn't be going back in this state." My mom said flatly, annoyance in her voice rather than concern. She had her pale hands on her hips and a crossed expression on her face.

With my back to her, I rolled my eyes and sighed deeply. This woman just made everything worse. I couldn't wait to go back.
"I'm fine mom." I grunted, barely looking at her as I shoved more of my things into boxes.

I could feel her eyes burning into the back of my head, "You aren't well Aliya you should have a gap year and sort yourself out." She said, a little softer this time. I knew better than to think this woman could actually help me feel better though.

"Can you pass me the black marker pen?" I pointed at the pen on the chest of drawers she was standing next to, looking all serious.

She grabbed it and passed it to me, her eyes narrowing at me as I ignored what she said. "Aliya, I just want what's best for you, please listen to me." She said sternly.
I think I would have actually believed this was about me if she didn't try doing it in a I'm-telling-you-off way. I knew deep down that this was about her being on her own again and nothing to do with my health at all. She was lonely, and that's sad, but this is my life, I can't live it for her.

Not anymore.

"Aliya, I can't see you very often when you go. It's too far with my job and everything- I won't be able to keep an eye on you." Was she still lecturing me? I needed to get away from her as soon as possible.

She was part of the problem.

My phone starting ringing in my back pocket and I pulled it out of my blue jeans. "It's Tyler, mom." I said and then answered the phone.

"Liyyyyaaaaa, I'm two minutes away tell your mom to put the kettle on." I could hear his cheeky grin through my phone. I rolled my eyes.

"You're here to help not eat all my moms biscuits." I said flatly. I brushed a stray black, curly hair behind my ear as I stood up, surrounded by clutter and boxes. Stepping over all my stuff, weaving through the gaps, I reached my mom who was still staring at me with disapproval.

She huffed, "I'll put the kettle on then shall I?" She said resigned, and left my room to go downstairs. Next thing I knew, a blue Volvo was pulling onto our gravel drive, and out popped Tyler from the drivers side. He lifted his head and looked up at my window, arms spread wide and a goofy smile on his face. I leaned out the window and rolled my eyes at him, a smile creeping its way onto the corners of my mouth.

Lazily, I thumped down the stairs and swung the front door open to my friend Tyler. He was my comfort blanket so seeing him always made me feel more prepared for the day ahead. "Hey mate." He smiled and wrapped me in a tight hug before stepping into the living room. "Ms Peterson?! Helllooooo!" He called.

"You are getting way to comfortable here young man." My mom appeared from the kitchen and handed him a cup of tea and a bowl full of biscuits. You could tell she was trying not to smile at Tyler but it was hard not to. He was cheeky but probably the most loveable person I'd ever met.

"Where's mine?" I asked.

"You didn't say you wanted one." She said, a slight frown appearing on her face, clearly irritated.

"You never asked me." I said folding my arms as I sat on the sofa next to Tyler who had already made himself at home and helped himself to a third biscuit.

"You always say no." She defended. The frown was deepening along her forehead and her hand had returned to her hips.

"Well I might have said yes this time but how would you have known?" I shot back. Tyler looked up at us now realising that an argument was brewing between us. Pun intended.