Shattered Reflections

Chapter 7

Ava

I could hardly believe it. I was going on a date with someone else, not Jonathan. Unsure of what to wear or how to act, I turned to my favourite person for advice.

"Hey, babe."

"Hey, Jesse."

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, I am. I just need your help."

"For what?"

"I'm going on a date with Aaron today at 7 p.m., and I don't know what I should wear."

"You can wear a dress."

"I thought about choosing this, but it seemed a little too over-the-top for the event."

"Of course not."

"Okay," I said.

"What colour are you going to wear?"

"I'm not sure," I answered. "Maybe red."

"You're going to rock that colour."

"Really?"

"Sure."

"Okay, thank you, Jesse."

"Call me once you're back and catch me up on everything."

"Fine."

I ended the call and went to grab my red dress. As I stood there, staring at it, memories of my first year at university flooded back. I had worn a red dress to my graduation party, and I vividly remembered my mother's reaction—her voice raised in shock. I never understood why she reacted that way.

My mother had a habit of shouting at me for no apparent reason. She always said I needed to learn how to behave as if I were in a royal family, even though I never was. Constantly, she criticized my appearance and choices. During my university years, I grew to hate myself, thinking I'd finally be free to do what I wanted, but her voice echoed in my mind.

As I put on the dress and applied my makeup, Dad suddenly entered my room. I looked up and asked, "Dad, do you want anything?"

"Where are you going, Ava?"

"I'm going on a date."

"With Jonathan?"

"No, Dad. I broke up with Jonathan."

"When did that happen?"

"When I left my job."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Look, your mother and I haven't known anything about you since you left your job, so tell me, who are you going on the date with?" His voice grew louder with each word.

"Since when have you and Mom ever known anything about me? You never cared to ask about my life. All you ever wanted was for me to be perfect, to be like Lily, the polite one."

"Did you hear me, or..."

"Aaron Addison," I interrupted. "I'm going on a date with Aaron Addison."

"What?"

"I'm late, Dad. I need to go," I said, turning to leave.

I headed to the restaurant again, this time alone. As I entered, I didn't see Aaron, so I approached the host.

"Hello."

"Ciao," a well-dressed man responded.

"I need to find out where Aaron is."

"Perché?"

"Excuse me?"

"Why?"

"We are going on a date together today."

"He is not here."

"Oh."

"Yes."

"Okay, thank you."

"Prego."

I attempted to hide my disappointment, but it was evident. I stood there, feeling a mix of confusion and frustration. Had I misread everything? Did he really intend to stand me up? The thoughts swirled in my mind, and I fought against the sinking feeling in my stomach, trying to find a way to stay hopeful.