Needless to Say, You Blew Me Away

Needless to Say, I Met You That Way

Needless to say, everyone is different.  Some people get hurt easily.  Some people don't hurt at all.  Some people are always smiling.  I learned that the happiest faces are the ones who cry the most, and the saddest faces are the happiest.  Some people have different ways of relieving their stress, hurt, pain, and happiness.  I for one write and listen to songs.  

I am the most smiley, excited, nice person ever.  However,  I have a TON of baggage.  I have the saddest story.  I have cried more than someone would think.  However, the pain only makes us stronger.

I haven't even introduced myself.  I'm Serena.  Serena Lingual.  I am a 24-year-old who has a lot more on her plate than you think.  But I'll get into that.  I have been going to therapy with Doctor Giuliana Grenwitch since I was 7 years old.  My father died in the war when I was 6.  My mother died shortly after from liver failure because she couldn't stand living without my father.  I was sent to live with my Aunt Pansy and her two sons Anthony and Andrew.  Both of which got nicer to me as the years went on, but they were all mean and nasty to me growing up.  Aunt Pansy continued to send me to the therapist because I wouldn't talk to her or her sons.  I slowly opened up to Dr. Giuliana and she helped me get through my depression and anxiety.  After I began to speak to Aunt Pansy she put me to work in her mansion.  I was to clean the floors, dust the bookshelves, wash the dishes, and make the beds.  They had a chef so I was not obligated to make any food.  I was not allowed to eat when they were eating and I was not allowed to talk to anyone unless I was told to speak.  It's been a hard 24 years.  I have not been allowed to go to college, only Anthony and Andrew were allowed to go.  I feel like a real-life Cinderella.  But who cares.  I just needed to get my beginning out there so I can talk about my now.  

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I woke at 7 and ran to get dressed.  I threw on a white crop-top and plain black ripped jeans as I walked down the stairs of their mansion.  

"SERENA!" Andrew's voice called from the living room.  I rushed down and saw him sitting there with his bride-to-be.  

"Yes, Drew?" I asked.  Drew and Tony, what they finally asked me to call them after 17 years of living with them, act as though they care, but I know deep down, they would turn against me to their mother in a heartbeat.  

"S, I need you to hurry and clean the floor, Mom will be back soon with guests.  I'm only lookin' out for ya," He said as I nodded.  I rushed to the kitchen and took out the mop and bucket.  I filled up the bucket and began to mop the floors and got halfway done with the fourth room when the door slammed. 

"Oh, Joseph! It's gorgeous!" Aunt Pansy's high pitch voice screamed.  "Serena!" She screamed calling my name.  I knew she was calling me over to brag about the new thing she got.  That was just who Aunt Pansy was - the type of person to make you feel bad because you cannot afford or own the things she has.  Sighing, I placed the mop in the bucket and ran over to her.  

"Yes, Aunt Pansy," I said bowing my head as she ordered me to do.  

"Oh, Darling," She faked.  "Look at my new necklace!" She said, shoving her hideous neck into my face.  It reeked of perfume that she had over-used and, though she won't admit it, several wrinkles she has tried to conceal with plastic surgery.  

I looked past it all and smiled, "It's stunning, Aunt Pansy."  

"I know," She said, pulling herself back.  "Well, Dear, you will be helping Joseph's son, Ryder, find his way around his new school and the town!" She said as a man, about a year or two older than me came in the door with a suit jacket and white tee-shirt with a pair of jeans.  He wore white Vans and stood next to his dad.  I smiled and gave him a quick nod.  He smiled at me as his phone rang.  

"Yes, Princess," he answered the phone.  

"You will get some appropriate shoes and head out with him," Aunt Pansy said smirking at Joseph.  She dragged her hand along his arm before I made a sharp turn.  I ran up the stairs and flung open my bedroom door.  I grabbed my cute black heeled boots and threw them on.  I ran back down the stairs and grabbed the keys to Tony's old car and made a hand motion telling Ryder to follow me.  I made my way to the car and opened the driver's door, slipped in, and started the car.  It was a 2016 Volvo and I loved it.  I don't need the newest car when I have this baby.  Ryder got into the car while still on his phone and buckled himself in.  I pulled out of our long driveway 

"Sure, Babydoll," Ryder said with a soft smile.  "I'll speak with you later," he finished and hung up the phone.  I was headed in the direction of my favorite coffee shop that was a few miles away.  I found a spot right in front of the cafe and walked into it with Ryder at my heels.  The barista, who happens to be my friend Cara, smiled at me and rushed off to get my order.   I paid for my drink - hot chocolate, with tons of milk and whipped cream.  

"So, hi," Ryder said as we walked to sit down.  

"Hello, Sir," I said sitting in the wooden chair leaving him the nicer one.  

"Please, call me Ry or Ryder.  Sir is too formal," He said as I nodded.  I took a nice long sip of my hot cocoa before he spoke again.  "You have a name or am I supposed to guess?" He asked jokingly.  I chuckled.  

"Serena.  My name is Serena," I said as he nodded his head.  I sipped on my hot chocolate he went on his phone.  

"You do anything for fun?" He asked.  No one knows I can sing except Rudy.  NO ONE will know.  

"Not really.  Unless cleaning the house like a maid counts," I shrugged. "How about you?" 

"Well, my dad owns a record company.  He wants me to start working with him, but I just wanna write and sing songs," He said.  I looked up at him when the realization struck.  Ryder Lockland.  Son of Joseph Lockland who was the most famous singer of his time who now owns the coolest record company and studio in the world.  I heard Justin Bieber recorded a song there!  "I see you put two and two together," He said.  I smiled weakly as I looked back at my hot chocolate.  

"A coffee cake on the house, S," The older barista, Joline, said to me.  

"Thanks, Jolie!" I said.  Joline looked at Ryder and asked if he wanted anything.  He asked for a coffee, light with sugar and Joline then hustled off.  

"So, you have a boyfriend?" He asked as I choked on my hot cocoa.  

"No.  Have a girlfriend? That's who you were talking to earlier right?" I asked as I finished my cocoa.  

"Nah, my daughter," he said.  I choked on air this time and then looked at him.  "Well, my best friend's kid.  But she's with me more and calls me Daddy and him Dad.  So not biological.  She should start calling me Uncle RyRy," He said as I sighed and then began laughing.  

"Well, I am to give you a tour.  This is the best cafe in all of the city and it has the best food too.  It's across the street from the library and 4 blocks from the school," I said giving a smile.  

He finished his coffee when we finally got up and departed from our lovely location.  We walked 2 blocks in the opposing direction of the school when to get to the big park.  I sat on the bench and we began speaking a little more.  I learned he has a younger brother named Nate.  I saw a message on my phone from Aunt Pansy as we walked back to my car and sped home.  I pulled up and let him out.  I nodded to Tony as I sped off to the Bar.