Once Upon A Wish (On Hold)

Chapter 3 {What Just Happened Here?!}

                As we pull in my driveway, I get the feeling that this evening will not be a pleasant one. Standing in the window, the wicked witch, known unfortunately referred to as my mother, is waiting with the most vile glare known to mankind. The phrase if looks could kill… suddenly runs through my head.

                Glancing at Adam, I frown, apologetically. “We might have one last chance to get away,” he says frantically. “We’re out here and she’s still in there. If you drive away now, she’ll never be able to catch up.” He looks down to meet my gaze with his, grin on his face; I know he’s half hoping that I am still optimistic. “That’s Adam,” I think to myself; always irrational. He’s caring, he’s hopeful, he’s loving, but he doesn’t think his plans through, and this time, he’s wrong.  

                I sigh, turning back at the window. “If only that were true,” I whisper, more to myself than to him.  I’m not afraid. Nothing my mother could ever do would scare me. I just wasn’t looking forward to ruining my day with a confrontation. I glance at Adam again. Unlike me, he is scared. I keep forgetting that he hasn’t gotten used to my mom’s issues yet. He’s practically shaking. “You know her bark is worse than her bite,” I say, smirking. No, I’m not being mean, it’s only Adam. Teasing him is my job. I’m also the only person that can temper out his emotions. It works every time; I know he feels better when he smiles back at me.

                “I’ll take your word for it on that one, but what about the death stares?” He asks, teasing me back. He’s still scared, but he’s calmed down a bit; externally that is. Even I don’t know what’s going on in his head lately.

                I stick my tongue out at him and shrug. “Who cares,” I answer. “We just have to argue for about 20 minutes about whatever she wants because I’m a horrible person, slip in Julliard somewhere, and then we can retreat to my room and forget we even saw her.”

                “It’s almost sounds like you knew this was going to happen.”

                “Well not exactly, I just—“

                “Belle Elizabeth Musgrave, you have 30 seconds to get inside this house!” I sigh, as my mother’s voice carries through the trees. For the first time in my life, I’m glad that our closest neighbors are over three miles away. No one else should be subjugated to what’s about to happen. I feel really bad that even Adam has to watch this dysfunction. My life is ridiculous.

                Adam looks at me, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze as I mutter unintelligently under my breath and grimace at the mere thought my mother. I smile at him though, grateful, yet trying to figure out why I hadn’t realized he had taken my hand. Maybe I really am losing my mind. Oh well. I actually am lucky that Adam is with me for this. I have the best best-friend in the world. Mom’s never as mad at me when he’s around. We get out of the car, and reluctantly make our way to the house.

                Opening the door, I wince as we are met by none other than my mother…and my sister?!

                “Amanda Marie, what the hell are you doing here?” I scream out in surprise. Adam elbows me in the side and gives me a look. “Be nice” he mouths, but he has the same look in his eyes that I do on my face. Hurt and confusion. I forgot that he didn’t know I had a sister. I frown at him and shrug. You go 6 years without seeing or hearing from a sister that is 13 minutes younger than you, then you can come to me with suggestions on how to respond politely.

                                I look back at my family just in time to be attacked by Amanda launching herself at me. I catch and steady her automatically while still trying to figure out what all is going on here. She’s so freaking happy right now it disgusts me. How can she act like this after all she put me through? It doesn’t make sense. No, I don’t hate her, but I’m not exactly thrilled to see her either. Most people would be able to tell that, but can she? Apparently not, I’m afraid.

                We she finally realizes I’m not hugging her back, Amanda lets me go. Turning away from her, I face my mother. “Explicación por favor?” I say through gritted teeth. Seething would be a gross understatement to how I’m feeling right now.

                “Why should I give you that? You didn’t bother to answer your phone today.” She answers, clearly as pissed as I am. She obviously has no idea what she’s getting herself into. No one in their right mind would ever want to tick off an already irritated me. I don’t care who you are.

                “I was at a competition. Obviously, I’m not going to have my phone on. Why did you not bother mention that she-“I pause to glare at my sister for a moment. “Was coming earlier? If we didn’t have the same face, I don’t think I would even know who she was.”

                “Oh, Belle, don’t be so melodramatic. Did you ever stop to think that maybe I didn’t know; that maybe my mind doesn’t register what my children do without telling me.” She really has no idea when to stop, does she? Someone definitely isn’t getting nominated for the mother of the year award. Not this time. Not ever, if I can help it.

                “You know what, it doesn’t even matter.” I practically spit out at her. “I forgot; you don’t pay attention anyway. Why would I possibly think you cared about someone that physically came out of your body? I apologize for mistakenly assuming you cared about your children.”

                “Well maybe if you had a conversation with me every once in a while, I’d know something about your life.” Wrong answer. And she says I’m misguided.

                “Communication works both way, mother, and I shouldn’t have to be the one to take the first step. I’m seventeen for God’s sake. Excuse me for not bothering to waste my time on someone who obviously doesn’t care about aspects of my life. By the way, I got accepted into Julliard today, in case you were wondering; but seeing as to the fact that you didn’t even know I was interested in them you probably don’t care. And just letting you know, I am going there, so if you ever want to find me, that’s where I’ll be. However, seeing as to the fact that you probably won’t even notice I’m gone, I don’t even know why I’m wasting my breath.”

                Remembering that I’ve forgotten about both Adam and Amanda, I turn to them, my face apologetic. (Well, to Adam at least.) Facing Amanda, I plaster on a fake smile. “Nice of you to show your face again, but seeing as this will be the last time we communicate, hello and goodbye. Go on back to wherever you ran off to, because we definitely don’t need you here after all this time. I’ll see you in another 6 years.”

                She stands cowering beside Adam, with her mouth agape and tears forming in her eyes as she looks at me. I shrug her off and look to Adam. “Can I just crash at your place tonight?” I ask him not really waiting for an answer. Picking up my dance bag that I now realize I dropped, I walk to the door as he stands in a daze still nodding.

Clearly, he’s appalled at my behavior. I’m not even sure he knew I had that much anger and frustration in me. Normally I don’t lose my temper like that. I can usually control myself, but sometimes I have lucid moments, like today. I’m hurt and angry, and upset, but I can’t let go right now. My house isn’t safe for that kind of thing.  

                As Adam shuts the door to my house, I don’t even know how to apologize for what he just saw, so I don’t. Brushing it off for a bit longer, I remember our conversation from before we went inside.  “No,” I say, “I had no clue that was going to happen.” He frowns as recognition sinks in and he realizes what I’m talking about. He walks over and hugs me. Silence is our companion right now, as we are lost in our embrace. It sucks, but nothing can really be said at a time like this. Sometimes there just are no words that can be used to describe utter heartbreak, especially when it comes from the hand of your own blood.

                Climbing back in the truck, we are still silent as I drive over to Adam’s house; and away from my personal nightmares.