when you met me

parents

Parents

Mara was sure she could hear the shouting from across the road when she had her window open. She never heard Dud shout back. He went through a phase where he'd try to argue his point across, but his Dad could shout louder and was stronger. He went through another one where he tried to get his Dad to believe his stories of heroism by getting Mara to speak for him.

Mr. Dudley had called her a liar, to her face. So now, Dud just took it, fazing in and out of his Dad's rants. Mara was not like that. She didn't always know when to stop. Some people adapt, others continue to push for what they want, no matter what. Even if it wasn't worth it.

Dud wanted respect, but knew he wouldn't get it from his Dad. He could get it however, from other people. By being a good policeman. By protecting people. Mara wanted to be a musician, and instead of seeing things reasonably, decided on it. Nothing would stop her.

"How was your last day at school?" Her Mother asked sickeningly sweetly as she peered into the room. "It was fine."

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, Mum."

"Sure?"

"Yeah."

She hated it when her parents did this. They never talked anything out. Mara smiled falsely at her Mum to make her go away and groaned as she fell back on her bed to watch the posters.

"It's as if they think I'm still a child. A poor little orphan child that they have to protect at all costs. I mean, I'm not. Obviously, I can see how unhappy they are together. They've been like that for years. But he won't leave because of me. If they just separated we'd all be a little happier." Mara complained expressively as she sat next to Dud at their spot on the bridge.

"Don't you think it's sweet how much they love you?" Dud asked, taking his lolly out of his mouth. Mara shook her head. "I just can't wait to get out of that toxic waste of a family." She commented.

"Speaking of getting out of the house, have you looked into any colleges?" Dud tried transitioning.

"You kissed me yesterday." Mara cut him off. Dud was speechless for a moment and swallowed. He considered the best way to word what he was thinking. "Right." Was all he could conjure up. Mara stared at him, wide-eyed, "So is this your idea of a first date? Because if it is then the deal's off." She smiled.

Dud broke into a smile. "I actually wasn't sure if you wanted me to forget it happened or not." He admitted. Mara waited for him to continue, "How about pizza?" He suggested.
"He knows me so well." She laughed.