Scales [ON HOLD]

Chapter Five: Cliodhna

   "I'm home!" I yelled from the door. Wiping my shoes on the raggedy mat below me, I took off my jacket and threw it on the banister. "I went to see Tony today! Huh, he's mad as usual!"

   "He's not mad,"My mother called back, but then she re-considered her answer. "he's... well, yeah he's mad." Whilst taking my shoes off one at a time, I looked up to see a tall thin woman walking down the stairs. She was elegantly clothed in a sleeveless tight blue halter neck dress, which suited her very well. On her feet were her favourite boots, the ones that her late husband had bought her as a wedding present. They were black and went up to her knees, and they kind of made her look cool, sort of like a secret agent.

   "I was looking around for some earrings. I have needed a pair for ages, and as you know-" I tried to speak, but my mother grabbed my head. The force was so strong that it nearly knocked me off my feet.

   "What happened? Your head looks different."

   I pushed off of my mother. What an odd thing to say! In a suddenly protective mode, I put one hand on top of my head, guarding it from my strange mother.

   "What the hell is that suppose to mean?"

   My mother had a concerned look on her face, but quickly washed it away with a smile.

   "It's nothing," She lied. Walking over to the living room, eyes still slyly looking at me, she picked up her elbow long gloves and slid them onto her slender arms. "Anyway, how was the beach?"

   Ah yes, the beach.

   "Well, I was having a lovely time, and notice how I say was. I think... I fell down a hole. That would explain the head injuries? Then some boy saved me, bought me a drink, some food, and then we went to see Antonio." I said this as though it was an expected everyday event. 

   "You what! You fell? Down a hole?" Cliodhna ran towards me and the next thing I knew, I was wrapped in two twig-like, but unnaturally strong, arms. "Who helped you out? What was his name?"

   I hugged my mother back, and smiled.

   "Robin." I whispered. I suddenly felt my mother's grip loosen.

   "What did you say?" She sounded horrified, her voice had dropped to a whisper, as though someone else was in the room. She took two weak steps away from me. "Robin?"
I nodded. Why did everyone react like this? It's almost as though they have some dark history toether. I mean, the way Antonio reacted to seeing him, and the way he reacted back.  Even though Antonio and Cliodhna are the only ones to do this, so far, they are basically the same person. So really only one person had done this... but whatever.

   "Why? Do you know him?" I asked. She clearly did know him. 

   "You can't see him again." My mother said sternly. "If you see him again, bad things will happen."

   "Why? He's really sweet... he made me a T-shirt! He bought me a drink, some food, and he even let me go shopping with him!" I felt very excited. I was going to see him again, no matter what anyone said.

   "Shirt? Let me see." Cliodhna held out her hand, as I was her servant or something. The look on her face didn't suit her. She had never done that face before. She looked like a rat, but of course I wasn't going to tell her. 

   "Ah right. Now that is never going to happen. You see, he never actually got the chance to give it to me. Antonio kicked me out and told me to come home, and well, here I am!" Dammit. I never got the T-shirt. It was beautiful... I need it!

   "Well that just proves that you aren't meant to be together then." She spoke quickly and turned around. "I have to put my earrings on. We're going to see your new school for an interview with the headteacher, so go get yourself ready. And look smart and presentable! We want to make a good impression!"