Against All Odds [COMPLETED]

Chapter 13 "Turn on The Lights"

Summer

Well it looks like Skye was right about unemployment because I ended up applying and getting it. Now my Christmas plans are back to normal & I'm glad because I didn't want my mom to go without presents this year.

"You ready?" Skye asked me. She offered to drop me off home before she goes back to hers for our break. We promised we'd spend New Year's Eve together with all of our families and I was hyped about that. I'm sure The Carter's know how to throw down a party, and I can only imagine their guest list.

"Yep I'm ready." We both grabbed our bags and I made sure all the lights and plugs were turned off before I locked our room. We walked outside to the student parking lot & there were barely any cars there.

Unfortunately for us, we couldn't leave for break early like the rest of our peers because we had finals to take. Of course once we got inside the car I sat in the passenger seat as Skye took off down the road.

"So how's therapy been going?" I asked Skye. She looked at me for a brief moment before focusing her eyes on the road.

"At first I felt like I didn't need it, but once I stopped feeling like my normal, bubbly self I knew Mommy & Daddy were right. Therapy has helped my anxiety go down a lot but I don't think I'll ever go to another social event again." She said.

"I hate that you had to lose a bit of yourself during that hard period but I'm so happy you're in a better head space & that bastard got expelled." I said.

"Yeah the best part is that nothing got out on social media and the blogs because that probably would've destroyed me." She said. I nodded my head because Lord knows how the conversations would've went surrounding it.

"Alright enough about all that...what you doing this break?" I asked. We definitely needed a new topic change.

"Girl probably nothing because my mom is thinking about recording more music so that means being stuck at home... you?" She said.

"Well if you not doing nothing you know damn well I ain't!" I said. We busted out laughing.

"I did save up enough money to buy my mom a Fitbit watch so I think that'd make her happy." I added.

"Awww that's a perfect gift. We actually got a couple more miles until we reach your place so you wanna get something to eat?" She asked.

"Can we actually get something to-go & eat it at my place? I'm sure my mom gonna want something." I said. We thought about what we had a taste for & decided on Mexican food. We pulled into the restaurant & I had already ordered online using Skye's phone so there was no wait time. Apparently this place is a family friend of The Carter's restaurant so they get the best hook ups. Hey, anything for the free I'm all for it.

Skye got out to get the food & surprisingly there were a few paparazzi in certain spots of the sidewalks. I decided to text my mom that me & Skye were bringing food home, but she never replied back. Skye came back out & drove off. We got out & I got my bags while she grabbed the food & once I unlocked the door, there were candles lit are over the place.

Michelle

"MA!" I heard as I stirred in my sleep. I looked at the time & realized I fell asleep knowing Summer would be home at any minute. I looked down at my phone & realized she texted me saying Skye was coming too. Shit. I hopped up and hurried my way towards the front.

"Hey y'all." I said. Obviously they couldn't see me that well, just my silhouette to work with.

"Ma what's up with the lights?" Summer asked. She had the nerve to keep flickering the switch on and off as if that's gonna make the lights turn on.

"Oh nothing. I just forgot to pay the bill before the office closed so now I gotta wait til the next business day. Hey Skylar baby! Hate that you caught one of my forgetful moments & gotta eat with candles all over." I said.

"It's no problem Mama Chelle. We brought Mexican food for you." She said.

"Alright we can place more candles on the table & I'll get us some plates." I said.

"Mom where's the remote to the TV? We can get some light off the screen." Summer asked. If this child don't stop....

"I actually have no clue where the remote is. We can find it later, let's just eat now." I said. I can sense her eyes on me but she left it alone since we have company. If she had pushed it any further, I would've had to handle her like she isn't a college student.

We ate & talked about silly things before Skye had to get back on the road. The street lights had just started to come on but luckily The Carter compound isn't too far of a drive. Apparently she's not going to the house I visited, they have a beach house closer. Once Summer got back inside from walking Skye to her car, I already knew she'd be asking a ton of questions.

"Ma what's really up with the bills? Did you forget or couldn't pay for it?" She asked.

"KK just drop it. I already said what I said about it." I said. I started cleaning up the mess from our dinner and dumped in the trash can.

"But Ma I have extra money to help out and you're not letting me know what's up." She said. I paused at picking up the trash to look at my daughter.

"Listen baby, I know you wanna help but I promise you I got it under control. It may not look like it but everything will be alright. You trust me?" I asked.

"Yes Mommy." She said.

"Alright now go change your clothes & come to my room. I have more natural light from windows & I know already know how you get about the dark." She laughed but went ahead to change. I exhaled the breath I didn't know I was holding in once she left & almost wanted to cry.

Not only do I not have money to pay any type of bill, but my landlord wants to evict us out because this type of complex is for families with children still in grade school, not college. For some reason, it's not expected for poor families to have college-bound kids so it's specifically written in our leases we have to leave once they find out and they did. Thankfully the landlord is gracing us til the new year to kick us out officially so in the meantime we'll be staying at Kelly's. She knows my situation & luckily has a spare room & storage unit to accommodate us.

The hard part is coming clean to Summer & telling her the truth.

******COMMENT, VOTE!*****
Looks like Summer is getting hit with a lot of truths soon.

Do you think Skye will tell her parents what's happening with Summer & Michelle?

Summer never did tell her mom she got fired from her job. At this point does it matter since Chelle isn't being truthful herself? Lol