All Because Of Him

ten.

  I was with Aiden for a few more hours just sitting in the car reminiscing over old times before he drove back to my house to drop me off. I stay seated in the front seat as I wait for him to lean in and kiss me goodnight.

"Are you doing anything Monday?" He asks. I shake my head no before he speaks up again.

"I'm having this thing at my place and I'd love for you and your friends to come. My dad's throwing me this get together since I'm back."

"Yeah, sure. I'd love to." He kisses me gently and we both exchange goodnights.

I quietly walk into the house and  try to close the door as silently as possible. Once it was closed I pressed my back against it and closed my eyes as I smiled at the thought of tonight.

"Where have you been, young lady!" I hear and I snap my eyes open in shock. 

There Sylvia was, in her silk robe standing near the stairs. Her arms were crossed and she looked like she was fuming with anger. I groaned at the thought of her trying to put a damper on my night. And just as I was about to speak up, I heard footsteps coming down the stairs as Amy joins us.

"I was out with a friend, relax." I said as I walked into the kitchen to grab a glass of water.

"You just left us waiting for you at Alejandro's, I was worried sick!" Sylvia yelled. I sighed as I filled my empty glass with water.

"I wasn't in any danger and look, I made it home perfectly safe." I said and took a sip of my water.

"This isn't funny." Sylvia said as she watched me take a few more sips. I finished drinking the cup of water and placed the empty glass in the sink. "See this is what happens when you coddle her, Amelia."

My eyes widened at Sylvia's words.

"Coddle her?" Amy questioned.

"She left us at lunch, didn't call and just now comes home this late! Why can't you see how troubled this sounds?" Sylvia argued.

"I am not troubled." I defend.

"She's eighteen Mother! She's allowed to do her own thing, this is ridiculous." Amy places her hands on each side of her head. I can see why she didn't want her mother coming to stay at the house.

"Who were you out with?" Sylvia asked, placing both her hands on either side of her hips.

"Aiden." I answered honestly. 

"Aiden?" Amy repeated. "What? How was that?"  Amy knows just about everything that has happened between Aiden and I. So it comes as no shock that she's surprised by my actions.

"Oh great," Sylvia said, "A boy."

"Well, catching up sure has been fun." I joke as I walk past the two of them to make my way up the stairs. "But it's late and I'm pretty tired so I'm going to get ready for bed."

 I start to walk towards the stairs feeling relief that this conversation is over.

"Wait," I stop in my tracks.

 So close

I turn around to face Sylvia and wait for her to say something.

"Just so you know, this conversation is not over." She says. I need to force myself to not roll my eyes at her.

"But," she continues, "I have a busy day tomorrow, so what time would you like to go dress shopping?" I raise my eyebrow in confusion.

"Dress shopping?" I ask.

"For the masquerade party next week, you'll need a dress."

"Ohh," I say, and laugh at her question. "I never go to that stupid thing," I say.

Every year there's this masquerade party held for this town. It's supposed to help raise money for new renovations. Every year when it happens , Natalie, Jessica and I stay in and have a girls night. Never have I been interested in attending.

Sylvia, on the other hand, went every year when she was my age. She used to help organize the whole thing. I can see why she'd want me to go but why can't she see that that's just not me.

I can see the surprised look on her face, which quickly turns into defeat. I take that as the end of the conversation and begin to walk upstairs to my room.

Once I make it to my bedroom, I immediately close my door just in case Sylvia gets the idea to follow me. I make my way to my vanity desk, and sit down on the bench in front of it. I reach for the hairbrush on the desk and begin to brush my hair. Today has been a long day, and I'm ready to go to bed. A smile forms on my lips as I begin to think about how perfect tonight has been. Being in the car with Aiden made it seem like no time has passed between us; like everything was how it used to be.

 A knock on my bedroom door interrupts my thoughts, and I look up to see Amy stepping into my room. She glares down at me and we look at each other for a moment before a laugh leaves both of our lips.

"I'm sorry about today," I say to her. "Sylvia is right, I should have called."

"Yes, she is," Amy begins to say as she sits down onto my bed. "But don't tell her I said that." She whispers. 

I continue to brush the other side of my hair and look at myself into the mirror facing me. My mom always used to brush my hair before bed. She was the one who made me get into the habit of doing it every single night. She would sit me down in between her legs, and brush my hair as we both talked about how our day went. It's crazy to me how a small little memory can stick with you.

"So," Amy begins and looks back to face her, laying the hairbrush back onto the desk. "You and Aiden, huh?" I smile at her being so intrigued in my night, not that it's surprising.

"I don't even know how it happened," I say honestly. "It just did."

"Well, however it happened, I'm happy for you that it did." She stands up from my bed and walks over to me. "I know how good he is to you."

She places her hand on my shoulder gently.

"Goodnight, Elle." I smile at her kind words and watch as she leaves my room.

"Goodnight."