sHE'S brOKen

Cylyss Kong

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I was sitting in my mom's office at school waiting for her to finish grading her papers. She started asking me questions about Angelina and wanted to know what I knew about her. Every time she asked, I would answer with, 'I don't know' or 'why does it matter'.

She shut the lid of her laptop and gazed into my eyes. "What's going on?"

I lifted my head off her desk and looked up at her, "Nothing I'm just tired, it's been a long day at school and I just want to go home." I said yawning and stretching.

She takes her glasses off. "No secrets, right?"

I tap my foot, "Just thinking about a friend. He didn't come to school today."

She grabs my hand, "I'm sure your friend is fine."

That's when I got a text from my dad,

Dad: Cy, can you work at the shop with me for a few hours? Some new antiques came from China.

I showed the text to my mom.

She looked up and scoffed at the message, "I don't like Aaron making you work in that hazardous store of his. Text your father no, it's a school night."

That's when I replied, "Are you serious, I need the money." She ignored me and went back to typing again.

Me: I'm stuck at school waiting for mom to finish grading papers.

An hour had passed and mom finally said, "Pack up, I'm done."

I grabbed my things and shuffled through her purse looking for her car keys. After I found the keys, I headed down the backstairs and into the school's parking lot. It was raining so I ran to the car. I started it up and got myself situated into the passenger seat.

As mom got in the drivers seat I asked her, "Why don't you want me working in dad's store?"

"Honey, I know you want to help your dad out, but the store has run its course. Your dad is trying to hold on to a dream that no longer has anything to offer."

I run my hands through my hair and lean my head against the window as I watch the rain on the glass.

I mumble, "But why not give me a chance to save it?"

We got home and sat at the dinner table. While we ate I could hear the rain pour harder.

"Mommy, today my class went to the planetarium. It was so cool." Seth says.

"That's great honey."

Mom has been on her phone ever since dinner started. She hadn't looked up unless she was putting more food on her plate.

"Babe, no phones at the table," Dad said attempting to get her to engage with us.

She looks at him then back at her phone.

"What's so important that you have to do whatever you're doing right now?"

She puts her phone down to answer him, "Mind the business that pays you Aaron." Then goes back to her screen.

He looks at her dumbfounded. "Seriously?" She ignores him.

He stands up and puts his dish in the sink.

"If you're going to put your plate in the sink, the least you could do is wash it." Mom says.

She has never acted this way in front of us. Seth and I always heard them fight but we always expected them to make up. Mom has been hostile ever since the store hasn't been bringing in enough money.

Dinner ended early and I got Seth ready for bed. When I got to my room and layed down, I just couldn't sleep. I was distracting myself with apps and shows but still wouldn't drift off. It wasn't helping that the storm was getting louder.

I thought about texting Ace, but I looked at the time. I didn't want to wake him up at 2am.

I heard a voice come from downstairs and made my way towards it. The kitchen light was on and my mom was on the phone.

"Can you get those DNA results back to me by Friday? Especially the one for Angelina Prudence. I don't care, I'll pay double to get that test back as quickly as possible."

Why does she want it so bad? I go down a few steps to hear better but the stairs creak. She whips her head and spots me. "I'll call you back tomorrow and I hope to speak to your manager then."

She sighs and takes a seat at the island and I sit beside her. I tap on the counter and finally speak, "Why are you so interested in Angelina? You've been acting weird ever since this new semester started."

There's a long pause before she answers. She looks at her hands and plays with her wedding ring. "I knew her family and finding out her parents passed recently, I just wanted to make sure she was okay."

I can tell she's hiding something and that made me angry. They had been dead for months and the whole town knew. No secrets my ass.

"Mom, tell me the truth."

She bit her lip, "You are the child, I am the adult. Sometimes I keep things from you to keep you safe."

I roll my eyes, "You're assuming I can't handle it, just tell me!"

"Cylyss, stop it and go back to bed!"

"No, stop treating me like a baby! Tell me what's going on!"

She gets more irritated the longer we argue. "I said, go back to your room! NOW!"

"What are you hiding? First, you try to keep the money problems a secret, then your dwindling relationship with dad, and now this!"

"Cylyss Kong, GO TO YOUR ROOM! I'M SERIOUS!"

Thunder could be heard outside and I was getting angrier, "I'm not leaving until you tell me what's wrong!"

She lets out a frustrated sigh and I wasn't prepared for what she told me. "ANGELINA MIGHT BE MY DAUGHTER!"

I felt the whole world stop and saw lighting strike.

"What?" I said barely whispering.

She nods and starts to sob, burying her face in her hands.

It couldn't possibly be true. Angelina isn't even slightly similar to me or mom or dad.

"I can't believe you'd lie right now. To even think I'd believe that Angelina's my sister is low, even for you. After everything I've told you about how she's treated me and you say this. Great job mom."

I ran upstairs and slammed my door. This whole day was a disaster and mom knew exactly what to say to crush me.
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1031 words
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