Of Shattered Hearts And Broken Glass

Chapter 2

"Looks great" I say, through my mask of happiness.

After saying grace, everyone digs into their lobster, creating an ear piercing silence only interrupted by the occasional fork or knife colliding with a plate.

"How's school?" My dad asks, breaking the silence.

"Great thanks"

"Just great?"

"Yes dad, everything is good"

"I expect exceptional marks from you, Devereaux. I hope you realise that this is your final year and there is no room for slip ups. The Dwight family name is a powerful one and we expect you to keep it that way." My dad commanded, training his show horse, once again.

I just stared at him, tired of hearing the same old speech every time he saw me.

Uncomfortable under my gaze, he tried to change the topic, "How is that girl of yours... uh, Megan?

"Tracey" I corrected, "She is fine, it's our anniversary in a few days" I said while forcing a smile.

"What do you have planned for the 6th month?", he asked. Pretending to be interested.

"Third year, dad, and I'm not sure. It's not as if you care anyway.", I mumbled the last part as I suppressed a migrane inducing eye roll.

"What's that?" He asked, ready to attack.

"Nothing, it's nothing." I replied, with a hint of sarcasm.

He didn't realise, as he went on to start another one of his famous show horse training sessions, "It better be, I've worked long and hard for everything you have. Gratitude costs nothing" he shouted the last part, causing my mom to shift uncomfortably.

"Thanks, dad" I replied, "oh so that's why you're never home?", my subconscious added in my head.

"Plus son, you know, back in my day there was none of this partying and excessive time with girls. It was just me and my studies." -yea right-, "Your elder brother managed to do the same and now he is a successful teacher in Europe. Maybe it's time that you also wake up and stop laying around." He told me, in an authoritative manner.

Frustrated and taken aback, I replied "Dad, I get mostly straight A's and attend attend extra classes as much as I can."

"There are still B's and you can also improve at your sports"

"One A minus, dad. I am team captain of all of the teams of the sports that I participate in and received the 'Player of the year' award, last year."

"Devereaux, you can still do better instead of getting drunk and high every night with some girl you barely know."

I was speechless, only managing to stutter and make sounds. Finally managing to get something sensible out, "Dad, Tracey is not-"

But ny mom jumped in out of nowhere as she cut me off, "Devereaux Lyle Dwight, that is enough. You know your dad is right. This disrespect will not be tolerated", my mom retorted sternly.

Confused I try to respond "Bu-.. bu-"

"We are finished, to your room!" sounding like I've pissed off the UN itself. I comply, knowing that nothing I do or say will help. I stood up while frustrated and locked myself in my room after heading upstairs.

This was almost every night's story. My parents have always tried to project themselves onto me. I have to walk like them, talk like them and even think like them. They expect me to live out the dreams that they failed to reach. They are extremely affluent, don't get me wrong, but expect me to work 24/7 to heal their regret of barely studying in school. The best part is that my feelings don't matter, I am their trophy that they brag about to other parents, a living vessel to house their dreams and boost their status. I can count myself lucky that I am straight, I wouldn't even want to envision what they'd do if I wasn't.

"BZZZ...BZZZ"

"BZZZ...BZZZ"

I was snapped out of my daze as I heard my phone vibrate on the bedside table. Leaning over to see what's going on, I see Tracey's name accompanied by a red heart emoji -something she had added when we were together once- and swiped right, to take the call.

"Dev, where were you?!" her voice burst through my phone, she sounded annoyed.

I didn't even bother to answer as I knew that it wasn't really a question.

"I called you, like fourteen times already!"

After checking and seeing the true version of fourteen is actually one, "I was eating while my phone was on charge... baby, why?"

After audibly sighing, clearly annoyed she replied, "Wow, you couldn't just think ahead and -I don't know- maybe, just maybe charge it beforehand. Unacceptable!"

"Tra-" I tried, but got cut off,

"I mean, am I that unimportant to you? I don't ask much, just that you answer every time I call. I deserve that much!"

A frustrated sigh escaped my lips before I could prevent it.

"How was your day?" She asked, calmly.

"It was great" I said, trying to hide my pain.

"Dev, is everything fine? You sound off.", her voice more inquisitive than caring.

"Yeah just a busy day, I guess"

"Oh, how so?", she sounded interested.

Grateful that someone actually wants to listen, I started, "Well, my dad acts as if I don't work hard at all and my mom just nods and agrees with everything he says. They are so distant. I mean, they don't even know your name after the millions of times I've told them about you"

"Wow, that is horrible! They don't even know my name!", her voice filled with outrage, "Dev, your mom and dad are very smart people and maybe you can work harder. We can't afford you upsetting your parents, your mom still has to take me for prom dress shopping.", she finished instructively.

So much for thinking that she actually cares

Out of nowhere, "My day was amazing, thanks for asking.", she spat with enough sarcasm to drown the whole football team.

Caught off gaurd I replied, "S-sorry, how was your day?"

She made a sound of delight and started telling me about her whole day, from when she woke up, up until our current conversation. She filled me in on how amazing she looks and how grateful I should be to even know her, as well as how well her cheerleading went, because she is better that everyone else on the team and they finally followed her instructions. She proceeded to make fun of some Janett girl for having poor parents and told me how she disapproves of some guy named Dominick for playing piano instead of signing up for sports and consequently acting like a 'fag' -as she put it.

"Oh" is all I managed to get out as my brain was still trying to process the flood of information brought on by her rant.

"Oh? Is that really all you can reply?! I pour my heart out and all you can manage is a pathetic 'oh'", she said, fuming.

Counting my words very carefully, I replied "Sorry Tracey-babe, just have a lot on my plate. I'm glad that you enjoyed your day and I'm grateful to have you as my girlfriend."

"Whatever Dev. It's always about you, you know what, whatever"

"Bab-"

"Bye", she hung up.

After that I forced myself to study, -My parents would literally skin me alive if I didn't- then went to take a shower, forcing myself to forget about dinner and Tracey's phone call, using my shiny and cold razor sharp friend, my only true friend. After that I climbed in bed and tried to drift off to sleep, but my mind decided to ponder my lovely life instead. Oh joy!!