I asked Joyce to text Maverick that I was at his apartment. She raised an eyebrow at me but did it.
"He has my apartment key." I looked at my feet. I was mortified how it sounded coming out of my mouth. What could she think of me? Everything she's heard and seen of me has been negative. I wish we'd met for a nice dinner, where I could show her who I really was, but unfortunately it didn't work that way.
"I'm not going to ask." She put a hand on my shoulder. "You want the couch or his room, he's got Netflix." She smiled at me. "Liv, I like you you're special, I can tell your nervous around me but please, relax."
"His room is fine. I know I need to relax but it's not easy for me." I put my hand on hers, wondering what my mom was doing right now. Was she worried about were I was, should I go check in. "But I think I should go home, my mom must have been a little worried about me."
Her eyes lit up. "Livy, you're such a good kid." She pulled me in for an awkward hug. "I wish Mav thought about me half the time he did stupid shit." She laughed and let me go. I thanked her for her help tonight and for letting me vent to her. It was genuinely nice to have an adult appear to care.
I rode the elevator down to the second floor. The elevator lurched. I felt a yawn coming on and fought it off. It had to be at least 11 o'clock now. The elevator shuddered to a stop on the second floor. I walked slowly down the hall every step felt like my feet were in lead boots. I couldn't believe my mom slapped me, but I probably deserved it. I've never talked to her like that.
"Hi baby." Mom was sitting by herself, a couple of candles the only light in the living room. I frowned, visions of human sacrifice flashed across my mind. I shook my head, she wasn't insane.
"Mom." I closed the door cautiously. "Hi. Did the power go out?" I forced a small laugh.
"No, just felt like lighting some candles. Sue me. Come sit down please we need to talk." She patted the couch next to her. "Please I feel awful Liv." I studied my mom, in her oversized sweatshirt and yoga pants, her hair pulled back into a messy bun, she looked so young, more like a friend than a mother. She had a glass of wine between her fingers balanced on her knee. She watched me eyeing the glass. "You want a glass, it's in the fridge." She pointed a finger towards the kitchen. "It's not like I've set the best example."
"No mom, I don't." I sat down pulling my legs under my body. "After this morning I'm done drinking for awhile." I waited to see her reaction. She simply shrugged. "Aren't you upset?"
"How can I be? You're 16, I'm barely home, I'm not surprised. Plus you're a smart girl Liv, I trust your choices." Her mouth pulled into a straight line. "Tell me what's going on in your life."
I looked at the rug on the ground, it's edges frayed. "If I ask something you can't get weird. Promise?" I wanted to avoid talking about her slapping me.
She leaned forward her face excited like a child on Christmas. "I'll try." She fluttered her hands up and down to show me she was staying calm.
"Can I get on birth control?" I bit my lip and waited for her reaction. She breathed in fast and took a long sip of her wine. I felt myself shaking nervously. The longer she sat there the longer I wished I was struck by lightning. The way the candles flickered across her face made the situation even more serious.
"Have you?" I realized she was trying to contain her excitement. I found it utterly bizarre, my face darkened as the blood rushed to the surface. Wasn't she supposed to be mad at me?
"Mom, I mean yes. That's all I'm saying." I wished I could crawl down to the floor and pick at the frayed edges of the rug. I regretted bringing it up, fearful she'd want details, I didnt want to share.
YOU ARE READING
Be this Way
Teen FictionLivy has moved around all her life, each school similar to the last. With an absentee mother and no clue who her dad is, she's grown accustomed to being alone. Once she finally opens up to her new classmates, the unthinkable happens. Why did it happ...