You Belong To Me

22

The next morning came quickly.

I'd hardly slept, meaning I supported unwanted bags under my eyes.

I was about to get up and get some breakfast when my mom barged in my room. Of course the day I'm ditching school she's starting work later than usual. "Annabella, why are you not in school its 10am?"

There was no point lying to my mom, she always knew when I did, and I didn't have the energy for an argument this morning.

"Hey mom, I'm taking a me day today I'm feeling a little under the weather." I gave her my best innocent smile in hopes she would say okay and leave but unfortunately, that didn't happen. "I'm not stupid Annabella, you're meeting that guy aren't you? Don't think I haven't realised you've been spending a lot of time with him."

My cheeks blushed red, my brain scrambled as I tried to think of excuses as to why I've been seeing Ripper. "M-mom I just don't feel too good today that's all." She narrowed her eyes at me but to my surprise a small smile crept up on her face.

"Listen baby- you can't lie to me, I remember what it was like to be young and in love, your dad and I used to ditch school all the time. So I'll let you off just this once, but do not make a habit of it because I'd like my only child to get into college okay."

I didn't know whether to be sad at the mention of my dad, be confused that she was actually letting me skip school or laugh at the fact she thought I was in love with Ripper.

"Mom, I'm not in love with anybody okay we're just enjoying each other's company." I tried my hardest to say that with a straight face and avoid grimacing.

"Whatever you say baby, but can I just say one thing- use condoms beca-

"Mom, NO we are not having this conversation." I childishly slapped my hands over my ears drowning out whatever she was going to say next.

"Okay okay I'll stop but please remember I'm too young and too pretty to be a Grandma right now." I laughed with her as she moved herself under my duvet. I missed being this close to my mom, I felt as though recently we never spent any time together and I'm sure Ripper slowly ruining my life has something to do with that.

I moved closer to her, placing my head on her lap so she could stroke my hair. This is our go to comfortable place, she'd use her fingers to untangle my mane of hair and my whole body would relax in a feeling of complete relaxation.

"So are you going to tell me about your date with Mr Doctor Man?"

I sat listening to my mom gush over her date like she was 18 years old again. Apparently he was a gentlemen, attentive, funny and he even paid the bill. "It was a great night Annabella, I don't know why it took me so long to take him up on his offer."

I sat up so I could see her properly and I'd only just noticed she had a glow on her face. "Aw you are glowing Mom, are you in loveeeeee?"

"Shut it missy before I call your school myself and tell them you're ditching. I've got to go get ready for work now so have a good day."

She gave me a kiss on the head and started to walk out my room complaining about it being untidy.

"Mom, I'll clean it today. And hey, I'm glad you had a good date okay, you deserve this."

She shot me smile and blew me a kiss, "thank you baby, and remember ... use a condom." I threw my pillow in her direction but she ran out of the door before it could hit her.

I took that as my cue to slowly start getting ready for this dreadful day I had a head of me.

I remember Ripper said he preferred my hair curly so I took my sweet time straightening it, applying no makeup at all. I threw on some leggings and a jumper and looked at myself in the mirror. Frankly I didn't look myself, I looked tired and drained and hopefully Ripper would see that I'm not the girl for him.