Glitches

Chapter 1 - Late

A squeak echoed through the stairwell as I opened the door into the flat. I stepped into the room, trying to be as quiet as possible, so I wouldn't wake up Vickie. Fumbling with my hands along the wall I tried to find the switch to the kitchen. But instead, my right hand hit a glass on the kitchen table. It fell to the ground with a loud crash. I froze in my movement cursing under my breath.

So much for being quiet...

Suddenly the light flicked on, illuminating a kitchen which clearly needed to be cleaned. Dirty dishes were spread all over a smooth table. And a bin stood completely open, showing remains from different kinds of past meals. I looked around and my eyes landed on Vickie. She was standing in the doorframe, looking at me with suspicious eyes. Her filthy brown hair fell in front of her icy blue eyes, making her look like a ghost. She looked down at the pieces of glass that now covered the floor, then back at me. Rubbing her temple, she sighed tiredly.

"Clean it up..." she nodded at the floor. "Then you have to tell me why you are home this late."

She walked over and sat on the sofa, still looking at me as I began to sweep the floor. None of us said anything until I was done.

"Come, sit down," Vickie said, patting the sofa. Her voice was calm and warm, but tired by lack of sleep. I didn't want to start a fight with her, so I walked over to the sofa and sat beside her, trying to avoid making eye contact. I felt embarrassed, at being caught in being out late, in the middle of the night.

Vickie wasn't my real mom. After the accident I woke up in the hospital bed, not remembering anyone. Vickie told me that I had been in a car crash, and that was why I couldn't remember anything.

My mom and dad hadn't survived, or at least that what she told me. Because of that she would be the one taking care of me from now.

The funny thing is, that even if I didn't know her, I believed what she said. Maybe because I didn't have any other option. Or maybe because of her calm aura.

Who knows?

I never remembered things from before. But maybe that's a good thing. That meant I could start over. Still, I sometimes wondered what my parents were like. I never missed them though. How could I when I couldn't remember anything about them?

I looked up at Vickie. A small smile had formed on her lips. And with a gentle movement she pushed my boyish short hair behind my ear with her hand, before resting it on my shoulder.

"I was at the garage with Eve..." I mumbled, looking down at my pale hands.

"Did you cut yourself?" Her voice wasn't concerned, just curious.

"No."

"Did you take your medicine?"

I didn't answer.

"Did you take your medicine Stephanie!?" she repeated harshly, making me flinch.

"No, I forgot..." I whispered.

Vickie clutched my face in her hands, twisting and turning my head as she inspected it. Her eyes filled with panic.

"Did you have any migraine attacks?!"

"No, I didn't!" I snapped at her, this time making her flinch.

She quickly dropped her hands, looking at me with wide eyes. Normally I could control my temper, but sometimes something just snapped in my head, and I got aggressive. Vickie always told me, that if you let the aggressive part of you take control, people will never trust you. I didn't like yelling at Vickie. She'd always been nice to me, and it always hurt her when I was mad at her.

"I... I'm sorry..." I whispered.

"It's okay Stephanie... It's just... I'm just trying to help you. I love you, and I don't want you to endure more pain than necessary. I suffered from migraine attacks too, you know? I know how painful it can be. And taking your medicine is, if you ask me, far better than suffering from the pain."

I sighed in defeat, knowing that she was right. And with slumped shoulders I finally met her gaze. Her icy blue eyes were getting glossy now, but she still held that kind smile of hers.

"I agree with you. I just wish that you would quit freaking out every time I forget to take it. You give me a heart attack every time... And you make me feel like a little kid."

Vickie nodded in understanding.

"I guess we both need to improve in something. I'm sorry that you think I'm acting too overprotective. I'll try to think more about how I act in the future, yeah?"

"Okay," I mumbled. "And... I'm sorry for forgetting to take it. I'll try to remember from now on. I'll put a reminder on my phone or something."

She pulled me towards her, hugging me tight. I was taken aback for a few moments, but slowly I returned her embrace, wrapping my arms around her torso.

"Just promise me that you will take it tomorrow," she whispered.

I nodded.

"I promise..."

She let me go with a sigh.

"Go get some sleep, love."

Again, I nodded, smiling weakly at her while I prayed for her to just leave me alone for now. The last thing I wanted was her getting nosy like always. Not that I did anything I wasn't allowed to. It was just very tiring to constantly answering her questions.

Luckily, my prayers had been heard, because Vickie stood up from the couch clasping her hands together, a contented look on her face.

"Great."

She patted my head, then walked to her room. Just as she got to her door, she stopped up in the doorframe and turned around.

"Good night Stephanie, I love you"

"I love you too."

As she closed the door behind her, I sighed in relief.

That could have gone much worse.