Love Lessons

C H A P T E R E L E V E N || C O L E

|➳| F A C I N G F A C T S |➳|

"Did you hear the way she just talked to me?" My mother gasped as soon as Jess left the table. Rolling my eyes, I slammed my fist on the table.

"You deserved it!" I snapped. My mother's eyes widened at my answer and shook her head.

"She clearly has some issues." She shrugged, ignoring my comment all together. "She's different than girls I've seen you with before." My father sighed at my mother and shook his head.

"Just leave them alone." He sighed, rubbing his forehead.

"I'm just saying," She shrugged innocently. "He should date someone of a higher class...tinier and well mannered." My jaw clenched at her comment, making me sit in silent anger. My father shook his head and took a sip of his wine. I knew if we furthered this conversation it would result badly. I always tried so hard to impress my parents but they never paid a lick of attention to me. Growing up, my father had been more concerned about his booming career than his child. My mother nagged and constantly thrived on her success. She didn't care what I said or how I felt; if it made her look bad, then I was doomed.

My father was easier to get along with than my mother, but we didn't have a great relationship. Sure, he was calmer, more level headed, and not rude, but he was never around and focused more on his phone than his twenty year-old son.

Running my hands through my hair, I prayed Jess would get off her phone and head back in here soon before I strangled my mother. My father seem unaffected as he continued eating his steak.

"You know, you're a real jackass to her."

"Jack!" My mother gasped at his language. I narrowed my eyes in anger and pressed my lips into a fine line.

"I don't care, darling." He snipped. "You've been treating her poorly this whole evening. You also." He pointed his finger at my mom. "You two are pathetically rude and I'll be damned if I'm going to let one other person put up with it." He snapped.

"What-"

"I've had enough of the both of you. You're both rude and an embarrassment. You don't treat people that way, especially if they haven't done anything to you. I'm really disappointed in you, Cole. I may have not been around much but I sure as hell know I didn't raise you to behave like that." His face reddened in anger and he turned around, adjusting his collar. Shaking his head, he clicked his tongue.

"I'm going to the bathroom, excuse me." He said, slamming his napkin down on the table. My mother and I sat in stunned silence as he retreated to the bathroom. I could feel my anger bubbling over as I thought about my father's outburst.

I couldn't do anything to please my parents.

I wasn't oblivious to the thought of treating Jess badly, I just couldn't help it. She was growing on me but everything I said turned into complete horror and I ended up causing more harm to her than good.

That's why you're lonely.

Clearly, my father's outburst didn't affect her because she turned her head to me.

"What are you doing with her?" She asked me bluntly. My jaw dropped at her question, still shocked that she could even ask something like that.