infatuated

49

      ☀ VIOLET ☀

  I'd lied. Adam didn't ask me out yesterday, or any day, for that matter. I was too hurt over what'd happen with Jackson to go anywhere.

      "Vivi!" a voice yelled, knocking on my door. "Let me in!"

     I let out an audible sigh as I reluctantly dragged myself over to my door and opened it, only to have Auden racing into my room and hopping onto my bed.

     "What do you want, Auden?" I asked, shaking my head as my hair fell in front of my eyes.

     "I wanna play superheros." he said, rocking back and forth excitedly. "Can we? Can we, Vivi?"

    "No, Auden," I said, shaking my head. "I don't want to play superheros. You have Jackson for that."

     "But he hasn't been over in a while," Auden pointed out, rolling his eyes. "Come on, please. Play superheros with me."

    "Auden, what did I just say? I don't want to," I yelled in frustration.

     His eyes welled with tears at my outburst and his auburn curls fell over his right eye. "Fine!" he yelled, darting past me — out of my room. "I don't want to play with you, either! You're mean and you act like a grumpy, old man! I hate you!"

    He rushed into his room and slammed the door behind him, no doubt sobbing his eyes out.

     I facepalmed myself and let out a huffy breath.

    How much more could I fuck up?

    "Violet, what's wrong with Auden?" my mom asked hurriedly.

      "I don't know," I lied, shrugging. "Do you have to go to work?" I whined, letting out a sigh.

    "Yeah, unfortunately I do if I want to keep a roof over our heads," Mom said, clasping her hands together. "Anyway, watch Auden, okay?"

    "Yeah, yeah." I nodded. "I got it, Mom."

     "Okay, well—"

  "Wait, what time is Dad going to be home?" I interrupted.

     "I don't know and honestly, I don't give a shit," Mom said, shaking her head. "He's out fucking his assistant as usual."

     "Oh. Mom, are you ever gonna divorce him, do you think?"

      "No." she said. "He helps pay the bills. Without him, we wouldn't be here. And besides, he helps with you kids, so what would the point of that be? I barely tolerate him, anyway, as it is."

    "Oh."

  "Why?" she asked, a curious expression on her face.

     "I don't know. Do you...still love him?"

    She paused, then shrugged. "Honestly, I think a part of me will always love him. But no, I don't. Not anymore."

     I nodded. "Bye, Mom."

  "Bye, hon'. And make sure you watch Auden!"

    With that, she left.

 
*

     "Vivi!" a voice yelled from downstairs. "Someone's at the door!"

     I let out an annoyed sigh as I walked down the stairs to answer the door.

     I opened the door to reveal an auburn haired woman — the color similar to Auden's.

     "May I help you?" I asked, plastering a fake smile on my face as I stared at the woman expectantly.

     "Yes," she said, nodding, as her eyes trailed me up and down, "I'm here to see my son."

     "Excuse me?"

   What...?