Like Mother, Like Daughter

Chapter 5

Lydia

I drove home after giving Nora and Liza a ride. We had gone to the spa together in Liza's car and they were both drunk, so I decided it was a good idea to take the car and give it back the next morning.

Opening the door to my house, I turn on the lights. The empty, silent house greets me and I sigh, stepping inside. 10 minutes later I'm cozy in my bed, watching TV in my pajamas. I can't help but feel lonely after having been with my friends and not having Annastasia home at that time, but it's late.

I'm probably just tired and the tigers come at night.

I jump as I hear my phone ring suddenly. I grab it, look at the screen and answer the call.

"Hi mom"

I hear Annastasia's voice on the other end and feel better instantly.

"Hi, honey, what's up? Having fun?" I say with a smile on my face.

"Yeah, Serena's house is so cool! You'll see it when you come here. And Serena's really nice and fun to be around, too."

Right, I'm having tea with Serena's mom on Sunday...

"Really? That's great. I'm glad you found a nice friend. But don't get too excited that you forget your manners!"

"Mom, I know, I'm 17!"

My smile turns into a sad one upon hearing those words.

"Yeah... I know, honey."

"Are you going to sleep already? Or are you out with Liza and Nora?"

"I was with them earlier, but I'm home now. I was just watching some TV, I'm probably going to sleep soon."

"We are too. We spent the afternoon ice skating in Serena's backyard, so we're dead tired. She has a whole rink in there! It has glass walls around it and just when I was worried it might rain she grabs a remote control, presses a button and a ceiling comes from one of the walls like in a convertible!"

Wow. Talk about extravagant.

"That's impressive! Well then, you can tell me all about it on Sunday. It's getting late. Goodnight, honey."

"Goodnight mom. Sleep tight."

"You too. Love you"

"Love you too. Bye"

*click*

Silence enveloped me once again and I sighed, turning off the TV and the lights before laying down to sleep.

****

After tossing and turning for two hours, I decided to get up. I grab my phone to check the time.

2:34 a.m.

Oh screw it, it's not like I work on Saturdays.

I get dressed and head outside with my phone in my hand. I feel the cold air in my face and inhale deeply as I start walking. A familiar feeling settles in once again.

Loneliness.

But why do I feel lonely? I just went to the spa with Liza and Nora...

Is it because Annastasia's not home...?

I was so distracted by my thoughts I didn't notice I had walked straight into a weird alley. There's a homeless man with a bottle in his hand sitting on the floor a few feet away from me, and he gets up when he sees me. Heart beating faster, I turn around to leave but freeze in my tracks when I hear his voice.