Almost Normal (Editing)

Chapter Eighteen

ANDREW'S POV

Everyone had taken their finals which basically meant school was over. Unfortunately we still had a couple days left, which we absolutely could not miss. Luckily it wasn't just us students anxious to get out, but the teachers also. Most of the time they just popped in a movie or let us do whatever as long that we weren't too rambunctious. After the last bell had rung for the school year, signaling the begining of summer vacation, everyone raced out crowding in the hallways to sign more yearbooks and say goodbye to friends. I drifted through the crowds slowly like a leaf in a stream. I stopped every now and then to be part of a group photo, or to sign a yearbook of someone I barley knew outside of class. My mind was elsewhere as I made my way home. Cars drove past honking their horns and kids hanging out of windows screaming at the top of their lungs.

"Humans." I thought to myself, silently contemptuous.

Once I got home I saw my mother's car parked in the driveway. This was odd because she's never home this early. I pulled out my keys to unlock the front door, but found it unlocked when I tried. The hairs on the back of my neck started to stick up and I went into alerted state of mind. Closing the door quietly behind me I heard laughter in the kitchen. I set my backpack by the door quietly and slowly made my way towards the kitchen. I smelled an unfamiliar scent like cologne, but not the cheap kind kids at school wear. It smells more complex. But there's something else...something distinctive....what is it? Cigars? Money? I pressed myself against the wall listening to my mother laughing. Suddenly it stopped and it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. That's when I peeked around the corner and saw no one there, nothing but a couple of mugs on the table.

"What are you doing?" My mother asked from behind me.

I jumped and spun around seeing her in her in her pencil skirt and blouse. Next to her was a well dressed man with a thin stripped tie slightly loosened around his neck. He didn't have the smell of a vampire or a werewolf, but he didn't have that human scent either. Both of us stood there staring at each other.

"Who's he?" I asked not taking my eyes off the stranger.

"Gerald. He's going to be representing me in the divorce." She said snapping her fingers in my face breaking our gazes.

"Then why..." I stammered.

"I invited him to go over everything before we go to court. I'm going to take everything that bastard loves." She added before walking past me and going into the kitchen.

The stranger and I followed behind her and sat next to each other, but with a barstool chair between us. I couldn't help but study his hands as he cupped the mug he was drinking earlier. His nails perfectly cut and clean and not a single hair on his hands. I squinted at the side of his face and didn't see a single hair out of place or any signs of facial hair. My mom coughed getting my attention and shook her head at me.

"So... Gerard." I started.

"Gerald." He corrected.

"Garry. What are your intentions with my mother?" I asked with a sharpness that could cut diamonds.

"Andrew right? Mind if I call you Andy?" He said turning his body to face me. "Listen Andy, I'm just here because I like to win. And this case is a piece of cake." He said confidently and flashing me a big smile. He had perfect white teeth too.

"So are you saying that my mom isn't good enough for you?"

"Andrew!" My mom screeched.

Gerald put his hand up to stop her and she quieted down. He got up from the stool standing over me as he straightened his tie.

"I'm impressed by your protectiveness you have over your mother, but she's a big girl Andy. She's also a soon to be divorcée, so she has needs. If you know what I mean." He said before making his way towards the front door and stepping out. "We'll continue this next week Scarlett!" He shouted before shutting the door.

"That guy is a real sleaze bag, please tell me you're not sleeping with him?" I asked pleadingly.

"I'm not sleeping with him." She said sternly, taking the mugs and putting them in the sink.

I groaned and got up, walking over to give her a quick hug. She patted me on the back softly and I left her to do the dishes.

Later that evening when we were watching the news we heard the door open, then close. We then heard someone walk into the house and saw a figure in the doorway.

"Why do you watch such depressing bullshit?" Jade asked.

"Language!" My mother said, then did a double take at the girl sitting next to me. "Jade?" She asked incredulously, getting up.

"Hi mom." She said softly getting up and hugging her.

The sound of my mother crying tuned out the TV as she held tightly onto Jade. I noticed the faint bruising on her wrists and the faint scar on her neck that I figured I'd ask her later about. Eventually mom pulled away and rushed into the kitchen talking about how hungry she must me. Jade sat back down sheepishly twiddling her thumbs as she came back with a mug of what I assumed was O negative blood. 

"Where have you been?" My mom asked curiously.

Jade opened her mouth and told a tale about how she just needed some space. Said that she stayed with some friends for a while to cool off and before deciding to come home. I didn't buy it, but thankfully our mom did. She just smiled and hugged her again and for a moment we were a normal family again. Well, almost normal.