The Art Of Seduction ✓

|28| Mother

Nearly 4k words, whew, I hope you guys like this chapter, and please vote and comment to, I swear it helps fuel me to update earlier and write faster.

Besides that, What do you guys think about the new cover?

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  "The truly scary thing about undiscovered lies is that they have a greater capacity to diminish us than exposed ones. They erode our strength, our self-esteem, our very foundation." 

Cheryl Hughes 

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"EVERYONE'S SO BUZZED about the winter's ball," Rekha said approvingly as her fingers expertly unlocked her locker. 

"The posters are catchy," I drawled out, my arms crossed as I leaned over her locker. The cold metal was reassuring. When I was at school it was almost so sickeningly easy to tune out everything else. But even then the cool metal on my neck served as a heavy reminder of one perfect sunday dinner before my life fell apart.

"I'll have to thank Edward for that, who knew he could draw..." But I wasn't paying all that much attention. The conversation was light as a feather but my thoughts felt like stone. 

Dad.

This morning, I'd gotten ready wearing warm fitted clothing and my eyes had lingered on the ballet slipper he got me. An almost primitive urge had swept over me and a few seconds later I'd secured the clasp around my neck. It felt like a reminder for better days. My fingers were playing with the locket when the warning bell rings.

Rekha closes the locker, and we begin walking slowly because this was one of those classes Rekha and I didn't share together. "So," The indian girl said, "When are you going to start handing out invites to your birthday party?"

I blinked, hand falling from the ballet slippers.

It wasn't an unusual statement, I always hosted a birthday party that was the promise of the talk of the year. There would be loud music, a cool theme and location hunting that was always fun and exciting. The mere mention of my birthday was always enough for my heart to hammer, and my head to become lighter and it all felt so exciting.

Instead, I found myself frowning.

I wasn't even sure I'd celebrate this year.

Kaden had this joke he used to say that my lavish birthday parties were the only reason people would pay me any attention. I didn't like to admit it, but it was true. My parents weren't often around and every year, dad or mum would sit down with me and outline a budget for my birthday and more often than not, I'd stretch the budget. 

It was their way to say, I know we're busy but we love you. It was like they thought that by letting me celebrate my birthday with whatever I wanted, it would excuse all the times they weren't around.

"I don't think I'm..." but the words felt heavy on my lips.

Rekha was nothing if not observant and her eyes flitted to me as though I was a wounded puppy, "Is it about Joey?" She asked voice far more softer than earlier.