The Melody Of Us

a fight for my life

(Mason's picture)

I don't bother to disturb the two love birds in the lawn, one of them being my best friend.
My house isn't that far off from this mansion and I definitely can walk back on my own.
I take off immediately, only to be stopped by a strong and warm hand.

I turn around and find Mason Hyde looking at me. I raise my eye brow in question.
"You think you're sober enough to walk alone at this fall of the night?" He asks and for a change, I do consider his question.
"I think I am."

Liar!

He just shakes his head and starts laughing. I bite on my lower lip to stop myself from smiling.
"Come on, I'll drop you." He says and pulls me along with him.
"No, Mason. It's okay. I can –"
"Sshh!" He places his finger on my lips and winks. Heat crawls up my neck and I look away.

So much for his attention, huh?

He brings his car keys and soon, I'm being settled inside his black Mercedes.

Wow.

He takes the steering wheel and drives off. I look out of the window and find myself admiring the moon.
Moon.
It's a constant, isn't it? No matter where you are, where you go... it'll always be there to guide you and accompany you through every phase of your life.

My reverie stretches on to the stars. Oh, what about them? They are a sprinkle of pixie dust for me. Magical. Alive. No wonder people end up comparing their loved ones to the stars.

"Hey?" I'm brought back to the reality by Mason himself. I turn towards him.
"Yeah?"
"Would you mind me asking a question?"
"No no. Go on."
"Why were you crying back in my house?"
"I... I wasn't crying."

Liar! A complete liar of all times!

"Did someone ever tell you that you are a pathetic liar?"
I laugh and play with my sling bag to stop my hands from shaking.

"Well, someone may have told me. But, I don't listen to people usually and go on doing whatever I want to." He grins and looks at me.
"But, seriously. You okay?"
"What makes you ask that?"
"I might have a bad reputation, but hey? I'm a human being too, you know? I care."
"Glad you accepted." I chuckle. "But, yeah. I'm okay. Thanks for asking."
"Anytime."

After giving a few directions, he pulls up outside my house and stops the car. I wear my heels, which I'd taken out, and grab my sling bag.

"Thank you, Mason." I say genuinely and smile.
"Your welcome." He reciprocates the smile and I feel all jittery.
Giving up, I lean in and plant a kiss on his cheek.

I get out of the car and wave a goodbye. He does the same and waits for me to get inside the house.
As I do, I hear the engine of his car roar back to life, and soon he's gone.

I remove my heels and grab a water bottle from the fridge.
The lights of the living room are switched on and I can hear some voices.

I frown. It should be around ten in the evening and usually, dad makes sure that Hazel is tucked inside her bed and all my electronic devices are kept aside by this time.
How come they are chatting away to glory?

I tip toe towards the living room and freeze.
That voice.

As soon as I turn back to get out of the house, the door jerks open and Hazel walks out of the room.
She looks at me, her eyes sad yet, a little brighter than usual.

"Haz, what's going on?" I ask, placing the bottle on the kitchen counter.
"Go inside and find out. Mind you, don't blow up." She warns and waltzes back to her bedroom, yawning.
I burn holes in the living room door with my gaze.

Taking a deep breath in, I push open the door.
I freeze.
Again.

Those greenish-grey eyes stare back into mine; the eyes I've grown to despise.
Those blond hair are drawn up into a loose bun and the face had lost the colour.
But, she looks the same. Even though I hate her, I've always admired her beauty. She was naturally beautiful from the beginning. She still is. And I hate it that her physical appearance is the total opposite of who she actually is.

"Liana." She says and stands up. I remain rooted at the spot, shock fuzzing my eyes completely.

She's here.

After seven fucking years.

She decided to walk back in our lives after ruining them with her actions.

Oh, wait.

Who said she's back? I know she's here to make sure that we're breaking apart because of her.

Well, I'm sorry Myra Jane, but you are not getting what you would be yearning for.

She walks towards me, closing the distance between us.
Uh oh.
Not a good thing to do.

I stick out my palm in front of her face and step back, asking her to stop.

"Stop right there." I order. My dad stands up and walks towards us.
"Liana, behave." He says.
"I'm behaving pretty well right now, dad. Trust me." I mock. "Why did you call me?"
"We need to talk." Myra says.
Yeah, I've stopped addressing her as my mom long time ago.
"Dad, why did YOU call me?"
"Your mother answered your question." Dad says.
"My mother?" I laugh bitterly.
"Liana –"
"Don't take my name, please. That would be much appreciated."
"Liana. Sit down right now and let's talk like matured adults." Dad orders and I look at him square in the eyes.

He's serious as hell. I'd better not irk him more than he already is.

I sigh and plop down on one of the sofas.
Myra takes the seat in front of me and dad sits down beside her. How does he do that?

"Liana." Dad starts. "We've come across a decision and have already discussed about it with Hazel. And being the smart one here, she's agreed to it without any questions. I expect you to do the same, seeing you're the elder one and more experienced."
"Dad, come straight to the point." The alcohol is coursing through my veins and I'm feeling all tipsy.
"We want you to complete your senior year in London." He says.

My head snaps upward and I try so hard to not let my eyes slit open.

What did he just say?!

"Why?" My voice is nothing more than a whimper. "Should I conclude that you hate me as well?"
Completing my senior year in London means living in London for one whole year, which further means staying away from my dad. It also means that I'll be in the same country as Myra for one fucking whole year!

"Because... I feel that you both sisters should spend quality time with your mother as well. And no, Liana. I don't hate you. You can't ask that question to a parent. It's for everyone's betterment." Dad says calmly, trying to hold my reaction.

Fumes of angst burst out of my ears. Tears sting my eyes and soon, I'm furiously glaring at my so called mother.
She doesn't flinch. She stares back at me without any emotion, as if she came prepared for this one-to-one battle.
Hell, it's like I'm preparing for a fight for my life.

"You've got to be kidding me." I say, the calm before the storm.
"I'm serious. Your mother wants to spend some time with you both. Hazel has no problem. You shouldn't as well."
"I have no mother. All I have is a caring father, who in his blooming years took to nurture his daughters all alone and didn't even complain for a second. Unlike the woman, who gave birth to us and couldn't handle our childish whims.
"All these years, I tried so hard to comprehend on what made my mother leave me. Was I not the child she wanted? Was I not enough? Did I have any flaws I didn't know about? I kept on torturing myself with these questions. I saw my little sister cry for hours and have nightmares. I saw her weep for a mother at the age of eight. I saw my father break apart and try to build up his family with his own hands.
"But, the woman in question didn't give a flying shit about any of us. She was selfish enough to let go of everything within a second's leap.
"I'm sorry. But, it's high time that you both realise THAT I AM NOT GOING TO LIVE WITH THE WOMAN WHO DESTROYED MY LIFE AND MY FAMILY!" With this, I storm out of the living room.
***