HYBRID - The theory of you

Chapter 1 - The new arrival

"I remember when I met him. It was so clear that he was the only one for me. We both knew right away and as weeks went on things got more difficult. We were faced with more challenges and I begged him to stay, tried to make him remember what we had in the beginning. He was charismatic, magnetic, electric, and everybody knew him. When he walked in every woman's head turned. Everyone stood up to talk to him. He was like this hybrid, this mix of a man who couldn't contain himself. I always got the sense that he became torn between being a good person and missing out on all the opportunities that life could offer a man as magnificent as him. And in that way, I understood him, and I loved him, I loved him, I loved him, I loved him, and I still do, love him." – Adele

I was sat by the table when my mum entered the kitchen, like a typical Tuesday morning. I ignored her as she tried to muster out a smile. I had become quite successful in recognizing the patters. I could easily see that she was hungover from yesterday. Its honestly embarrassing and quite a bit sad.

- Good morning honey! She greeted, tapping me on the shoulder. The dark circles under her eyes were as prominent as ever. You could have hung a damn sign over her head saying, "still drunk".

- Morning.

I lazily answered. She walked over to the cabinets, grabbing a cup from the second shelf and poured herself some coffee. I never fully understood how she could be so alert and high spirited during the morning hours considering the amount of alcohol she had consumed last night. I was the complete opposite. I was certainly not a morning person. If I could choose, I would have spent most of my morning still sleeping, most likely to lunch and I guess I got that from my father. The thought of him pinched at my heart but I quickly brushed it away before the loss of his presence got the best of me.

- How did you sleep?

I shrugged my shoulders, taking another bite of my toast covered in strawberry jelly and cheese. A very odd combination people have told me.

- Okay, I guess.

She smiled and sat down beside me with the cup in her hands. She tightly grasped the sides of the mug to warm her always so chilly hands. Maybe she wouldn't have such bad blood circulation if she stopped smoking, but what do I know right.

- Any good dreams that you want to share?

I shook my head no and brought my cup of chocolate to my lips, sipping at it. My mother opened the newspaper which was lying on top of my essay from last week. I was totally failing in that class and I knew it bothered my mum even though she didn't want to admit it. I know she didn't want to push me but on other days she just couldn't be bothered to care at all.

- I can't read this, I need my glasses! I can't believe how bad my eyesight is getting. I might need a new prescription!

she frustrated exclaimed and left the kitchen. Her tone made me roll my eyes as I finished my cup of chocolate and went over to put the cup in the dishwasher. She came back and sat down by the table again and started reading, now much more satisfied and with her glasses on.

- I'm off to school, I said and walked out of the kitchen and down the hall.

- Okay! Be good today Ivy!

I could hear her answer from behind. I only mumbled something in response before I grabbed my bag by the door and checked that I had everything I needed for my first class. I was in my third year of college, studying animal welfare, English literature and biology. Last week I decided to drop some more classes because, honestly, I couldn't handle them. I still haven't told my mum but what she doesn't know won't do her any harm. I started falling behind after the accident. I missed a lot of school and I just couldn't finish any of the work that I was handed and by the time I felt a bit better it was to late, there were no chance of me being able to catch up. I think I'm going to ask some of my teachers for some extra credit in hopes I get to graduate with my friends. But I won't get my hopes up.