Demons

Chapter 11

There is a fine line between ‘excited’ and ‘anxious.’ Because of that line, I could not explain my feelings. Aunt Lillian called to tell me that she was coming to live with and take care of me. Lillian is a sweetheart and I love her, so I should be pretty happy

But she never helped you from Sandra, was the snarky reply made by my conscience. However I knew the real reason as to why she could not help me till now: Lillian lived in France after she studied abroad there.

After snatching myself into reality, I realized how unorganized the house actually was. In all honesty, it was odd that I never noticed how the house looked. I ALWAYS kept my room neat; still, with everything going on, the house was a pigsty.

After straightening up the living room, kitchen, two bathrooms, the office, I saw that there had been one rom untouched. My mother’s.

Being that I have never stepped foot in her bedroom in 11 years, I had forgotten that it even existed. Mostly, Sandra slept on the couch and only went into her room to change.

Reluctantly opening the door, I stared, horrified at the room in front of me. Walking on the sunlit black carpet was like stepping onto hot coals. Clothes and vodka bottles were everywhere and soda stained the bed. The room needed a complete makeover if Lillian was going to stay.

After an hour of packing up the clothes and clearing the closets, I threw out the sheets and cleaned the rest of the room. I made a list of everything that the bedroom needed, I checked the time and it was half past 4 in the afternoon and I had to go to the furniture stores and IKEA.

Are you planning to do all this before or after your date with Harry? My conscience thankfully reminded me. Damn it.

Harry said that he was going to pick me up at 7:30. I spent most of my day cleaning and sleeping. Sleeping with Zayn of ‘course, my bitchy conscience added. Ignoring her once again, I got ready for my date.

Because I had no idea what to wear, I decided to go for the in between casual and dressy look. My hair was curled with a wand into large and loose beachy waves; I wore a black silk long-sleeved shirt designed with daisies covering it, and a white lace skirt with my black plain flats. When I saw myself in the mirror, I did not look like a seventeen year old girl with an abused past but a 22 year old woman spoiled and loved by both of her parents.

At that moment, I realized why I try so hard to look like a cheerful and lovable person. “Fake it ‘till you make it.” I would say that I live by that saying. It hurts to keep my life a secret and never talk about it, but it needs to be that way. My life would be ruined if anyone ever found out.

By the time I had finished getting ready and my homework, it was 7 pm. Because I had time, I decided to call Ava. She did not even know about the date.

“Hello?” Ava answered on the first ring. She must be doing homework and bored.

“Hey Ava, it’s Lace.”

“I am well-aware of who is speaking, Lace,” She said with a chuckle.  “So what’s up with the coolest girl on the planet of whom everyone is jealous?” If only she knew the irony of that statement…

“Well, I am going on a date today.”

“What?! With Zayn?!” She screamed through the phone.

“No, he has a girlfriend.” I could not help but notice the disappointment in my voice.

“Oh, sorry honey - I know you liked him.” She consoled me.

“What? No, I didn’t like him and we are still friends; that is all we ever were.” I blabbed.