The Inside Stories

Chapter 5

"Where do you think you are going young lady?"
"You know mum...."
"No Alicia. I do not know. Nor do I have even the slightest bit of interest in listening to your reasons. I want you to go back up, change your clothes, remove all that make up from your face and get your ass back here in five minutes. Do you understand?"

Well I didn't really get why she was so pissed off. She stopped caring about my school after poppy died or so did it seem. Anyways, her stern voice meant she was serious business and arguing with her at this moment would only anger her more. Lost in my thoughts, I stood exactly where I was but mom's clap in my face brought me out of my trance.
"Go right now!"

I hurried up the stairs, banged my room door open and threw the first thing that came into my hand at the wall. Thank God it was just a tube of lip gloss. After quickly changing and removing my make up I went back down, Popcorn at my heels.
"Sit down Alicia." After sitting down on the couch, I put my feet up.
My mother's sharp stare made my feet automatically get off the couch. Earlier she didn't care, now she does.
I miss my mom. "Alicia you know what you have done. Mrs Peige has told me everything." Listening to mom's serious voice, Popcorn disappeared into the kitchen. Great. Just perfect. Nobody to support me now though I wonder how he would support me.

And now, I guess it's time for me to prepare you guys. The talk has officially begun. Hold on to your seats for the drama is going to start. Some of you might find this funny and laugh at my misery but those sympathetic ones out there, thanks a lot.

"I do not want to tell you the consequences of physical violence Alicia. Mrs Peige already did that for me. What I need to do is ground you."
Wait, what? Mrs Peige already did that as well.

"No more parties. Your curfew is 7 o' clock. And after school I want you to get tutored by Jeremy. Mr Smith has told me that he is a very nice boy. Also, that boyfriend of yours, Chris, I want you to stop hanging out with him. He is a bad influence on you my dear." The last part she said softly, as if trying to convince me but that made no difference. I was pissed off.

"Mom. You do not know anything about Chris. I will hang out with him and nothing you do will stop me. He is my boyfriend and nothing you say will make me break up with him."
Well, I wasn't madly in love with Chris but mom's words just instinctively made me defend him. Or maybe, I was defending my own judgement.

She looked at me sadly and then said, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have tried to dictate who you date or befriend. But that doesn't mean the other two rules have been changed in any form. Also, I want you to fully concentrate on studying and keep your dance and cheerleading aside at least till high school gets over. Don't try to argue with me on that. Mrs Peige also supports your father's and my decision."

Tears welled up in my eyes, again. But I wasn't going to cry. Not this time. There was no way I could change my punishments so I had to do well. I was determined, even if that determination wouldn't last for over five minutes, I was determined.

"Now Alicia, I have to tell you something important. You might feel this is weird, but you need to know."
This time her voice seemed hesitant, as if she had made a mistake.
"Alicia, your father and I were supposed to tell you this together but he feels it's better for both of us to discuss this matter alone."

What in the world is happening?

"Alicia I'm pregnant."

Did I hear it right or was that an illusion? I stared at her. She simply nodded. Her lips twitched slightly. She seemed very happy but did not want to smile openly for she feared my reaction. I always knew she wanted a second child but she couldn't conceive again after I was born. When I was four, she got pregnant but the baby died in the third month of pregnancy. She went into a sort of depression and poppy was the only one who could bring her out of it.

Suddenly I realised, I would have a sister or brother 16 years younger than me. Weird. Really weird. Mom was staring at me expectantly, waiting for some sort of reaction. I wasn't happy or sad but I knew that a new baby would surely take my parents' attention off me. I smiled, gave my mom a quick hug and went back to my room. That was a lot of news for today. I was tired and all I wanted to do was sleep but my stomach wanted something completely different. I went down to the kitchen, trying to avoid being seen by my mother. I didn't want anymore shocks. I was good to go without further surprises for the rest of my life.

In the kitchen I saw Sofia humming and checking her phone. She stood up and went to the stove when she saw me.
"There is pasta with meatballs for dinner. Also, I made you some lettuce salad with cranberry vinaigrette." I was thankful for she made me salad. Without my usual dance routines and exercises, fatty food would totally make me lose shape. I took out the salad bowl and the jar of freshly made apple juice from the fridge. After looking at the pot of pasta longingly, I sat down at the table with my bowl of leaves. I ate my healthy meal while Popcorn was munching on a few meatballs Sofia had given him. She really had a soft spot for him.
"You must eat some carb dear or you might faint. Lettuce and some apple juice will do you no good. Do you want me to give you a slice of bread to eat with your salad?"
"No Sofia. I do not want to gain weight and suffer, again."
Sofia looked at me sympathetically and then put my empty bowl and glass into the dishwasher. I went up to my room and Popcorn followed me. I crashed into my bed, feeling a little less hungry than before.