Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Tongue

.2

!!WARNING!!: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS EXPERIENCES THAT MAY CAUSE TRAUMATIC TRIGGERING SUCH AS:

VIOLENCE, BLOOD, & VULGAR LANGUAGE

HOUSE - 2 WEEKS LATER

"Dimitri, darling wake up." A soft voice called out, breaking my sleep.

My mom hovered over my bed as she gave me a light smile. She was in her normal attire, wearing a purple flowing blouse and skinny jeans with her house shoes on. She had her jet black hair tied into knot on the top of her head with a matching purple headband. My mother was the type of woman to be head of PTA, but on some unlucky occasions, she'd snap. Although her appearance wouldn't show it, she had a sinister side.

I rolled back my sheets and sat on my bed and stared around my room trying to readjust my eyesight. I squinted at my black and white bedspread and my black pillow. My equally depressing room was covered in band posters and pictures of random shit I'd taken picture of as the seasons changed. I wasn't allowed to keep my gaming console in my room. Mom had always said "Without friends, how do you intend to play alone?" So there they sat unattended for many moons.

"I know you're tired. I'm sorry, but education comes first. Elliot is picking you up today. Elaine too." She spoke more sternly as she looked down at her French tipped manicure.

I shook my head in reply. Still feeling the drowsiness of my ongoing insomnia.

"I know you don't like Elliot, but my car is getting repaired remember?"

I grabbed the picture on the bedside table. It portrayed the family wedding photo of Elaine, Will, mom, and I. I directly pointed to Will, Elaine's dad.

"He left early for a business trip. He won't be back until next Monday, so Elliot is the only choice you have." She explained while standing up from the bed and sighing.

I could take the bus. I signed.

"Dimitri. Elliot is trying to be nice."

Or walk.

"DIMITRI." She stomped her foot loudly on my carpeted floor as she raised her voice.

I jolted backwards almost knocking my head into my headboard. Now I was wide awake.

"I-I need to get ready for work." She stuttered out while walking quickly out of my room.

I had never seen my mom so frustrated.

ELLIOT ARRIVES

"Calli! Elliot is here!" Elaine called from the front door.

Elaine never called my mom, mom. Only her first name, Calli. I always wondered why until one night after the wedding Will was drunk and mentioned his ex-wife, Gadesh. She was a beautiful Arabian woman who came to America after meeting Will during one of his deployments when he was a marine. She tragically died of cardiac arrest after only two years of marriage. They had adopted Elaine during their first year of marriage. Elaine was twelve and always called Gadesh, mom. To her, no one could replace the life and love Gadesh gave to her.

I stood from the kitchen table and rustled through my backpack one last time before leaving.

"Alright. You two have a good day." She hugged us both and walked us to the door.

"Elliot! Thank you so much. My car should be fixed by this afternoon. Elaine and Dimitri are so thankful as well. Right?"

My mom looked at us. Elaine smiled wide whereas I gave a very forced smile.