Surviving the Nicholson Boys (Re-write)

one : everything has changed

Song/title of the chapter: Everything Has Changed by Taylor Swift ft. Ed Sheeran

"All I know is a simple name, and everything has changed."

***

I was woken up by the sound of someone pounding on the door. I jolted up and nearly tripped over the blanket and hit my side on the coffee table as I ran to answer it. Thinking it was my mother, I didn't ask who it was and swung it open.

But it wasn't her on the other side.

Instead it was two policemen. Their expressions changed from tough guy to sympathetic so quick you would've missed it if you blinked.

I rubbed my eyes. "Is there a problem, officers?"

The one on the left gave his partner an uneasy look. "Um, yes. I'm Officer Lankdon, and this is Officer Redfield. Is Miss Ariana Silvers home?"

I raised my hand. "In the flesh."

Officer Redfield sighed. "Miss Silvers, you're going to need to come with us."

"What's going on?" I asked.

They couldn't find the words. My heart began beating faster. "Is it my mother? Is she okay? What's going on? Someone please tell me what's going on!"

"Miss Silvers, we need to get you to a stable environment before telling you anything." Officer Lankdon grabbed my arm and led me to their car. I climbed in the backseat and fiddled with my thumbs. Both officers walked into the house, and came out a few minutes later. They both climbed into the car and Officer Redfield began to drive away.

Instead of going to the police station, we were at a hospital. Now I was anxious. I needed to know what happened. I needed to know if this was about my mother. Did something happen? I had all these questions that they weren't going to answer. At least not right now.

I was the first one out of the car as soon as they parked. The other two followed and we entered the hospital together. They started walking towards the hospital mortuary and I swear my heart was about to beat out of my chest and on to the floor.

Both of them showed their badges to a coroner. She nodded and removed the sheet that was covering a body on her examination table.

I just about stopped breathing.

My mother was lying on that table. Her whole body was pale, deathly pale. Well yeah, because she was dead. There was a hole right in the middle of her forehead and it took me a little bit to process it.

I covered my mouth with my hands and fell to my knees, crying so hard no sound was coming out. My body was shaking tremendously. I took in a huge breath and let out a scream. Officer Lankdon stood me up and pulled me into a hug.

I didn't accept it. I shoved him away and started pacing. I was angry, I was sad, I was scared. She was gone. The only family I had left had been taken away from me.

I looked back at her body and ran over, pounding my fists on the glass. "Momma!" I cried, as if she could miraculously open her eyes. "Momma, please!"

The coroner walked out and sighed. "I am so sorry, sweetheart."

"Momma," I whimpered. She pulled me away from the glass and sat me down in one of the hospital chairs.

"She died of a single gunshot wound to the head." She explained and I looked at her, mortified.

"Who," I stuttered, "who did this?"

"We don't know." Officer Redfield sighed. "But we intend to find out."

"Aria?"

I turned around to find the source of the voice. A lady with honey blonde hair and bright blue eyes walked over to us and sat down beside me. "Aria?" She asked me.

I nodded. "Yeah, and who are you?"

"A friend of your mum," she replied, "Karolina Nicholson. What's going on? I was called last night and got on the earliest flight here."

"My mum's dead." I said.

Karolina's eyes widened. "What?"

"Miss Silvers," Officer Lankdon approached us, "may we please ask you some questions?"

Karolina shot them angry looks and stood up. "Do you people have no souls? The poor girl just lost her mother!"

"It's fine," I grumbled, "what do you want to know?"

"Did your mother have any potential enemies?" Officer Redfield asked. "Someone who might want her dead?"

"No," I shook my head, "not that I know of."

Lankdon asked the next question. "Was she seeing anyone at the moment?"

"She went out with some dude named Hans last night." I explained. "They said they were going out for dinner and then to a club."

"Did they say which one?" Redfield was scribbling all this down in his little notepad.

"No." I replied.

"One more question," Lankdon sighed, "do you have any other family that you could live with?"

I shook my head. "None of our family speaks to us. I haven't seen my father in years."

"That's why I'm here." Karolina piped up. She gave me a sad smile. "You could come and stay with me."

I looked away. She sighed. "I know it isn't in your best interest to come and stay with someone you've just met, Aria, but please. You have nowhere else to go. I have plenty of space at my house and taking you in isn't going to be a bother."

"I don't know." I mumbled.

Karolina thought for a moment before speaking. "How about this: I will stay with you at your house for a week so you can see what it's like living with me. Next Monday, you'll tell me whether you want to come to California with me or stay here and we'll make some arrangements for you. Fair enough?"

I nodded. "Sure, whatever."

"Miss Nicholson–" Lankdon started.

"Mrs.," she corrected him.

He cleared his throat. "My apologies, Mrs. Nicholson. I personally think it's best if you take Aria home."

She looked at me. "Ready to go, darling?"

I shrugged. "Do I really have a choice?" I stayed quiet for a moment. "May I...may I see my mother one more time?"

The coroner nodded. "Sure, come on, sweetheart."

I followed the coroner into the room and she uncovered the body. I felt sick again. My hand was shaking as I pushed some of her hair back. It didn't feel real. It felt artificial.

"Momma," I whispered. The tears continued falling. "I'm so sorry. I'm sorry for everything. I'm sorry for the fights, physical and verbal. I'm sorry for all the loud late nights and the insults. I'm gonna miss you so fucking much." My knees gave in and I fell to my knees. "I love you so much and I hope you knew that."

"Sweetie," Karolina's voice startled me, "let's go."

She helped me up and we left the hospital. Redfield caught up with us outside. He handed me something. "This was found at the scene. We think it's fair that you have it."

It was her phone. I sighed and took it from him, gripping it tightly. "Thanks."

Karolina led me to her car. I gave her my address and we drove to the house in silence.

***

Hello!

So another update, whoo!

Things are a bit sad and tense right now but they get better, I swear.

BYE MY LITTLE HORRORS!!

~MJ xx