The Perks of Being Too Beautiful

Ch5; My Mother

Chapter Five

After school, I find Cullen at the piano, playing the same song I played yesterday. He doesn't seem to notice that I came in so I run and glomp on his back. He laughs and says, "there are other ways to greet people."

"Whatever," I say, giggling.

Cullen notices my new outfit and observes it carefully. "What have you done?" He looks at me as if he can't believe I did something so horrendous.

Suddenly, I feel nervous. Why am I so nervous? Finally, I manage to say "um... I was pranked. With paint."

"You were always so clumsy," he says, handing me my revised sheet music. He takes the opportunity to look at my clothes again. "But it's not bad," he adds.

An hour passes and Cullen and I head home. He decides that he's going to go home today. I wonder how he is handling his father, or whether his dad is still there or not. I don't know but I am afraid to ask. We take the regular, short way and walked in silence. When the turn to Cullen's house is upcoming, I mutter "bye." Cullen turns without saying a word. He never likes to say goodbye.

Once I got home, I realize that I am alone again. I don't really have anything to do. Homework is done at school, and I don't study. I already practiced viola at school. There isn't much to do. I head to the kitchen and grab a bowl of cereal. "The Holiday" is playing on TV so I lie on the couch and watch until I fall asleep.

A knock comes about on my door that wakes me up and I see that it's only 7:30PM now. I assume it's Cullen and it is. He storms in, without saying a word. He heads upstairs and I desperately, and angrily try to call for him. Suddenly, Cullen's mom appears at my door, also calling for him.

"Ms. Harris! What are you doing here?"

I can't help but notice that she looks so much more older since the last time I saw her. All of her hair turned white, and her wrinkles are more noticable. But there was no time to think about that. This seemed urgent.

"Cullen..." She begins to pant. It seems like she struggled to run after Cullen. "His father..."

I don't need to hear any more because I understand what affect his dad has on him, but she continues anyway.

"He found out, Aria. He found out..." She looks intensely into my eyes, and then shuts them closed because they began to fill with tears.

I don't understand what she means by that but she began to look faintish. I sit her down, and get her a glass of water. "What do you mean?" I ask.

"Cullen never knew that the reason why his father left was because..." she began to choke.

"Ms. Harris, maybe you shouldn't say anything.."

"No, no. I'm fine." But she doesn't look fine at all. "Just let me finish." She takes a deep breath and says in one breath, " Cullen's father had an affair with a woman."

I stared at her and waited for her to say she was joking, but she didn't. I tried to take in the information but I just couldn't. I begin to wonder how Cullen must have been feeling. Oh, god...

Ms. Harris stares at the ground when she opens her mouth to talk, but closes it again.

"What is it?" I ask.

"There's more, but I don't know how to tell you."

I look at her, confused.

"The woman was your mother."