The Beautiful & Damned

17 - Argue

argue - /ˈɑːɡjuː/
(verb: arguing)
exchange or express diverging or opposite views, typically in a heated or angry way

"What is it with you and this need to constantly put me down?" I raised my voice. Dad and Gerald stopped talking, both looking at me.

"What are you talking about?" Mom acted like she said nothing wrong, like I'm the big bad in this situation.

"You know exactly what the hell I'm talking about. See, this is why I didn't want to see you, this is why I never call!" I became pretty loud, people started staring at our table.

"Stop embarrassing us all and lower your voice." Mom clenched her jaw and gave me a mean look.

"I don't even care anymore! This is who I love and he's the best person I know." I pointed at Gerald. "Sorry he's not good enough for your snobby ass to actually try and get to know him, but that's okay. I'm the one he's dating."

"Sweetie..." Dad said but I couldn't be bothered; It's been burning inside me for too long.

"I'm sorry daddy but I think we're done here." I said. Gerald was literally speechless and my mom shocked to the core, she definitely wasn't expecting it. I never talked back to her like this before, especially in public.

"Ashley Diana! Stop this nonsense right now, show some respect, this is not how we raised you!" She scoffed.

"We? Who's we? You were never there, except when you felt the need to criticize me instead of helping, like a mother should." I said to her.

"Sweetie, please!" Dad said to me.

"I'm really sorry about this. We're leaving." I said and took Gerald by the hand after we both got up.

"I'm sorry sir." Gerald apologized and followed me.
I stormed out of the restaurant, wanting to go anywhere else where I don't have to look at mom's annoying face.

"Baby slow down." He said, stopping and pulling me back. I was panting and I shouted.
"Aaaah!"

"Baby, it's okay!" He said and touched my cheek gently with his hand. I calmed down a bit.

"I fucking hate her, I'm so sorry you had to see me like this, god!" I said.

"Chill, let's go get a drink and we can talk about this, okay?" He pressed a kiss on my forehead.

I nodded and followed him. "I might need three drinks."

We took a seat at the local bar at the beach where we sometimes go for a margarita, Gerald knows the owner.
We ordered whiskey for him and vodka for me. I let out a big sigh and leaned my head back. I kicked my heels off, looking at him.

"What the hell happened back there?" He asked.

"What do you think; she did what she does best." I scoffed.

"Was it me?"

"No, it's her. She's fucking rude and I hate when she acts like that, snobby and stuck up." I said. "I'm sorry."