tomboy ▪ hemmings

12.

ANDREA'S POV

here I was in the shower, rinsing away all my troubles and discomforts but as soon as the water droplets hit the floor, they come back again. I stopped the shower after realizing that the bills would rise and that would burden Liz even more.

I sighed at the thought of Liz and burden in the same sentence. it wasn't like I never thought about it, but the way Luke said it made me so awful. what was his problem anyways? he was cool last night, and this morning when he tiptoed behind me helping me grab the bowl, but then he just had to be a jerk about it and everything was just ruined.

I hated this.

I wrapped my body in the towel and soon found myself cursing as I forgot the necessity to bring my clothes in the bathroom since Luke was in the house. ugh, Luke.

it was such a pressure to listen to that name all the time, but as soon as I was trying my best to adjust myself to his presence, he made it such a burden to do so. is he bipolar or something? ugh.

I found myself creeping along the hallway, and I tiptoed to my room at the end of the hallway that seemed like a lifetime away. I was so close to reaching the door, but due to my clumsiness, I just had to trip on my left foot. ugh, obviously. who even trips on their own feet?

I found myself closing my eyes, and awaiting my face to smack against the floor.

but it didn't happen, and I frowned at the weird realization. was I floating or something?

and that was when I felt the grip on my waist, the large hands holding onto my body that was only covered with a towel. I flinched and regained my posture as soon as the person stabilized the both of us and letting go.

those blue eyes, it just had to be him. again.

"I-I'm sorry." I abruptly said, looking at him who licked his dry lips that looked pink as cotton candy. his mouth was slightly parted, and as bad as I wanted to know if they tasted like cotton candy, I rushed to my door and shutting it close behind me.

I sprawled over my bed after making sure I locked my door.

what the hell was wrong with me? he was rude and obnoxious and my hormones just had to imagine erotic fantasies with him. why him?

I sighed, and thought about what he said. I was a burden, wasn't I? maybe that was the main reason why he hadn't liked me. he was jealous because Liz had us to replace him? but he was irreplaceable.

that was what Liz said anyways.

Liz had returned with certified documents and signatures and complicated rules about how Adam and I were officially under her care. I noticed Luke flinch slightly at the sudden news and that was why I attracted everybody's attention with food.

Luke seemed out, and that was when I felt guilty. that was when I felt like his harsh words weren't intentionally harsh and he just had a hard time accepting us.

I mean, who does that? who lets some bunch of homeless people in their house, and lets them steal attention from their own mother? I mean, I'd be crushed.

that was why I felt the urge to leave. I'd take Adam with me. we won't bother him anymore.

I'm sure of it.

-------

that evening was such a mess, and Luke was furious. that was what I realized when he stormed out of the house, to god knows where. it wasn't his fault, I wouldn't blame him.

since when did I have a soft spot for Luke? ugh. never mind.

Liz had insisted that we take a 'selfie' that was actually a self captured picture of the three of us since Luke didn't want to join us. I smiled awkwardly into the picture since I wasn't really sure which part to look at, and laughed silently as Adam wanted to take more than one.

Adam and I were too into watching some cooking show on the television when I realized that Luke and Liz were quarrelling quietly in the kitchen. I had heard bits and pieces of it and then my curiosity got the best of me. I inched closer to the door.

"mom, no! this will cause a drama, they're not ready for it!" Luke's teeth were gritted but loud enough to hear.

"Luke, they're okay with it, I already asked their permission and they even said it was a good charity thing for the sake of it even!" I honestly had never heard Liz's voice rise to such a loud tone. I flinched slightly, hoping nothing serious was going to happen.

"mom, that girl is trouble, I tell you! she might do something boyish and people would make such a fuss about anything! you know how people are, paparazzi and fans! ugh, don't you get it?"

that stung slightly.

yes, I knew about Luke's career and I couldn't care less about his fame. I didn't want any of it.

"she's a good kid, Luke! at least she's appreciating me more than you ever can!"

that was when I leapt from my spot to the couch, as the kitchen door slammed abruptly behind him. he didn't even take a glimpse at us before rushing outside. I felt bad. I felt guilty as fudge.

Liz came out of the kitchen, her face slightly damp from tears or a rinse, I wasn't even sure myself. I was so awkward so I pretended to talk to Adam, but found myself mentally cursing as he was asleep.

such perfect timing, bro.

I heard Liz chuckle slightly from beside me, and I slowly turned to look at her.

"I'm sorry honey, if you heard anything of that."

"no, I'm sorry for causing it." I interrupted before she could continue.

"please don't. it's just been a little rough with Luke lately." she assured, and I nodded slightly.

"can you explain? I think I deserve to know, since I'm all grown up or whatever." I tried my luck, I was curious. and you know how it goes, I just wanted to know what happened.

turns out, Liz had posted the selfie on a social networking site called Instagram. news spread quickly, and people were informed of the existence of Adam and I, and it made people question. I wasn't the only curious one in this world.

Liz said paparazzi was rough, and fans had creative assumptions. I took that as a bad thing, since that was quite the reason why Luke was pissed, and why he had stormed off earlier. I listened, and decided that I shouldn't add up to the stress Liz seems to face nowadays.

Liz seemed tired, and I decided to ask her to rest. the least I could do honestly. she had been out and about since this morning, and after what happened, she deserved a well rest.

"you sure? Adam looks tired as well," she said, and I looked over at the boy sleeping on my lap now.

"yeah, I'll take him up later. if he gets up hungry, I'll just make some toast if that isn't such a problem?" I asked, since Adam is one to wake up hungry in the middle of the night and it was always toast at the warehouse.

"of course honey, everything here is yours and mine. ours okay?" she smiled and my heart leapt at her gratitude.

I was being such a softie nowadays.

"alright." I whispered, as Liz kissed my forehead, and ruffled Adam's hair before walking up the stairs.

I wondered, and I thought. I've never been this soft, and I found myself fond of how someone is wanting to take care of me. maybe it was a relief to know that someone cares, and someone is willing to take my worries away, wanting me to be calm again.

it always used to be Adam and I, and now Liz is in the picture, I find myself blessed.

but knowing that I'm causing Luke to be mad and slightly jealous, I feel guilty. his words are haunting my mind, and I know that my happiness doesn't have to depend on Liz. I shouldn't just barge into this humble abode and burden her with Adam and I .

I have to make a decision, and even though Liz has certified it, I have to think about Luke.

I have to leave. 

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