We Don't Have To Dance

Chapter Thirteen

I sit in the green room, looking down at my phone screen desperately. On it, I see my mom's phone contact, and I want so badly to call it, but I'm also beyond nervous.

Ring ring
Ring-

Already on my phone, I answer right away, but it's not my mom, it's Andy, "Hello?"

"Hey, I got your voice mail" he says happily "I went out and picked up your car, and when I was there I talked to your mom"

"Oh" I say just at a whisper

"Your dad's drinking again, and she said she needs you home. I'm letting her stay with me for a-"

"Andy" I growl "What the-"

"Amanda" he pleads

"Andy" I shake my head "she's gonna all play victim and shit. But she kicked ME out, then threw a fit when I left. She walked out of our family, then came back just to start shit"

"I know" he sighs "But I feel bad for her-"

"Why?" I laugh "Because she has lupus? She's had it for years, it's just an excuse at this point"

"Your being insensitive"

I laugh, "Insensitive? I helped her and loved her for years and I'm just supposed to be happy and pretend like it's fine that she's constantly hurting me?" Tears brim my eyes now "I fucking know she's my mom, but she doesn't act like it. She treats me like shit, then makes me feel like it's my fault for feeling the way that I do"

"I'm sorry Amanda" he sighs "I truly am, but you shouldn't just shut her-"

"Why? Because she can die at any moment?" I laugh "I fucking know that! I know and I do care, but she doesn't care about me so why am I caring about someone who doesn't care about me?"

"She does care!" He screeches "Don't you fucking understand? She got mad at you because you were gone-"

"YOU THINK I WANTED TO BE AWAY? THIS IS MY JOB ANDY!" I stand up, tears leaking down my face "It hurts me to leave just as much as it hurts her and she's just making it worse by making me feel worse about leaving"

"I don't-"

"No, why'd you even try to get into my family business Andy?" I choke "It's doesn't involve you"

"I know I just wanted to-"

"I get that, and truly thank you, but you should've talked to me, instead of guessing you knew what was happening"

I wipe my tears and he sighs, "Still, I'm gonna let her stay here for-"

"Do whatever you want, it's your house, but don't tell her where I live, please?"

"I- Okay..." he sighs

"Thank you Andy" I hold my head in my hands "I'll call you another time, and hopefully we can talk about something more positive, Yeah?"

"Yeah" he sighs

"I love you"

"I love you too bye"

I let my phone drop out of my hands, and I start sobbing, "Hey"

I look up to see Remington, my eyes widen and I start wiping my tears

"H-Hey"

"You don't need to pretend like your okay" He smiles sympathetically, then gets in front of me, dropping down on one knee

"I am though, I'm fine" I smile, but I know my mascara is falling down my cheeks

He wipes it away, "Oh really?"