Chapter - 3 | Something is not okay

The smell of chicken stew wafted through my nostrils when I reached my home in the evening.

"Hey, mom… It smells delicious," I stated as I perched on the kitchen stool. Trixie went to greet mom with a hug, tail wagging, and licking.

"What took you so long?" My mom asked as she placed a cup of lemon tea in front of me.

"I went for grocery shopping with Uncle Mac. You know, how forgetful he gets these days," I informed and sipped my tea.

"Hmm... his sons are really worried about him. Mac just won't accept their invitation to move in with them," she mused, stirring the stew.

"Hey mom, Noah invited me for his sister's birthday party this Saturday. He would love for you to join the party as well. Are you working this weekend?"

"That's nice. It's been almost two months since I last met the Parkers. I am sure I can make time," she grinned and suddenly looked all young. Mom and Noah's parents got along well. They had a close relationship with all their children and I often wished that I had a similar family.

"Hope your father doesn't host one of his office parties this weekend," she quipped and I snorted at the thought.

Dad hosted occasional themed parties and invited all his business associates and clients over. Mom and I hated these parties. Men and women dressed elegantly would attend these parties as they discussed business and sometimes mixed pleasure with it.

After a first few parties, I banned the guest's entry in the first wing was my bedroom sat. Sleeping on a bed where two strangers shared their bodily fluids was definitely not pleasant. I had to strip my mattress and changed my bedding before banning any guest from entering my room from that day.

After Trixie things became much easier. She would chase anyone who dared to enter the first wing. They used the guest bedrooms or several other rooms.

Sometimes I would be so much tempted to take a photo using my phone and sent it to leading news agencies. The people who pose as a respected socialite would lose their control and behaved like a bunch of hormonal teenagers with a decent amount of alcohol inside when they are at a party.

Then, there were a few women who come looking for a new prey. They are the most dangerous of all. Sometimes, dad forced me and mom to attend the party. Those nights were the worst, mom worked overtime to swat the male crowd away from me.

I didn't think my dad thought so much about how I felt about the entire ordeal. To him, we were his trophy family. He just used us to show off to the public.

Fortunately, I inherited all my features from my mom and looked no bit like my dad, added reason for him to hate us more–as if we cared. Okay, I lied. For once, it would be nice to have a considerate father.

After a delicious dinner, I climbed the stairs to my room with Trixie in tow. A quick shower later, I sat on my working desk by the window to finish my homework for the day.

The evening air was crisp and the sound of ocean waves hitting the beach could be heard. On most of the sleep-deprived nights it lulled me to sleep–now it relaxed me.

Trixie sat in her chair with her gaze fixed outside the window. After doing my homework, I settled down on my bed with my mobile and Trixie climbed in after me.

I didn't know when I fell asleep, but woke up when my bed dipped indicating someone just climbed in. I turned to see the outline of my mom. With a small sigh, I moved closer to her and threw my leg over her slender frame. And, we fell asleep with Trixie curled between us.

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After my usual morning routine, I found my mom in the kitchen. She was dressed in her formal pants and a white sleeveless blouse, looking so much younger than her actual age.

However, I could look past her makeup and see what she was trying to hide. Her eyes were puffy and the bags underneath her eyes were more prominent even after using a concealer.

"Mom," I called softly.

She turned around and I hugged her, my hands rubbing her back in a comforting manner.

"Mom, I never asked when something goes on between you and dad. But, I'm clearly not okay with you leading a life like this. Please, talk to me," I pleaded.

"It's nothing, sweetie… Just the work stress." She gave me her best fake smile. Sadly, I am her daughter and knew well. I knew when she laughed from her heart and when she didn’t.

I shook my head in denial. "I'm done with you hiding things from me, mom. I'm nineteen and I believe it's high time you shared your problems with me."

"Sweetie, not now. You won't understand."

"I'll understand if you want more time. But, don't pull that you-don't-understand card with me. If I am sure of one thing, then it's my dad is not treating you like you deserved to be."

Mom lowered her eyes and I could feel her pain radiating in waves. She bit her lips to stop the sob that threatened to erupt any moment.

"Mom, we need to talk. Take a day off and we're going somewhere."

"No, sweetie. I can't skip work. I can't lose this job. You know, if things go wrong then I want a grip," she said.

I let out a defeated sigh. "Mom, just know that whatever happens, I'm here for you. Always keep that in mind, will you?"

She nodded with a sad smile and after a quick breakfast, I waved her goodbye.

Mom and dad was never an ideal couple. They put up a good act in front of the crowd and I wouldn't have known if I hadn't met Noah's parents. They were so much in love that his dad's eyes would sparkle every time it landed on his mom.

It was after getting closer to his family, I understood that what I had so far was not a healthy family. There was no love.

Mom was always alone–wasting away in this mansion while dad did God knows what. I wondered if he had a secret mistress. However, I would always shrug those thoughts off as he is my dad end of the day.

I dressed up in the first pair of clothes I pulled out, not caring about how I looked. The thoughts of my mom clouded my mind as I walked towards the bus station.

Trixie pulled me off from the road and barked bringing me out of my thoughts. It was then I realized that I was about to be sandwiched to the road by a speeding car if it was not for her.

I thanked her with a kiss, which she returned with a low growl as if scolding me for my behavior. Smiling at her antics I followed her to Uncle Mac's residence, this time more aware of my surroundings.

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"What's wrong?" Noah questioned the moment I sat beside him. He could easily read my expressions just like I can with my mom.

"Nothing," I sighed and leaned on his shoulders. The brave act I put for everyone was about to crumble and I tried to conceal that from him.

"Is it about your mom again?" He asked softly, his hand going around my shoulder as he pulled me closer. I buried my face in his chest, trying harder not to break in front of the crowd.

"It's okay, you know. We're all here for you. Did you talk to her?" He asked again as his hands massaged my head – a way to distract me from the direction of my depressing thoughts.

"I talked, but she wouldn't say a thing. I'm so worried. Am I a good daughter, Noah?" I sniffled, shedding the first few drops of my tears.

"You know you are. Shush, it's okay."

I felt his breath hot against my scalp and my heart fluttered when I felt his lips press a kiss, which was assuring and made me feel like a kid.

"Everything's going to be All right. Maybe I'll ask my mom to speak to her if she comes to the party. Your mom may open up, you know adult talks and all," he suggested.

I nodded and gave him a dry laugh. "What would I have done if I didn't meet you that day?"

"Hmm... let me guess. Your ass would've kissed the snow-covered sidewalk and you would've walked like a crab for weeks," he teased and I giggled.

"Maybe I should officially name you my ass guard," I joked.

Noah cracked up with laughter and we both laughed until tears blurred our vision. A few heads turned to look at us, but we didn't care. My heart felt light, not just because of his words, my heart was soaring high because of his kiss.

My first kiss from a male, who is not family.

"That sounds weird, but it's kind of true," Noah chuckled once again. "I did save your ass a lot of times."

"Yeah," I agreed and leaned back in my seat.

When I am with Noah all my issues seemed to fade and he gave me a confidence boost. I should figure out what was the real deal between my parents.

Our stop arrived as I was once again lost in my thoughts. Noah pulled me to standing position and together with many other students we exited the bus and walked to the university.

Noah's friends were waiting for him near the locker and I found Jen, Tracy, and Sana standing with them. I grinned widely as they greeted me with their usual morning hug. The guys just did a high five in their style as a greeting.

Hayden, Alec, and Riley were with me from kindergarten just like my girls. When Noah moved in as a new student, he soon became a part of our group, making us eight, four girls and four boys.

Hayden and Jennifer have a thing going on between them, though they wouldn't admit it out loud, just like me and Noah. Others were just friends though we joke about them and suggest becoming a couple. Sana and Tracy would just grin while the boys thought about it for a moment before shrugging it off.

Hayden and Alec were on the football team with Noah while Riley was our guy. He usually hung out with us than going to the games. I was laughing at something Alec said when I caught Sandra glaring at me. I narrowed my eyes and quirked an eyebrow at her. We continued to stare, not ready to break it when Taylor came for Sandra.

"Jealous?" Noah whispered in my ear, making me shiver.

"Just trying to keep your virtue intact," I said and rolled my eyes to indicate that it didn’t bother me. Who am I kidding? It bothered me in every possible way.

We are what they might call old school. Our group differed from others, as kids, we all agreed. We promised to not lose our virginity to some random guy or a girl. We still honored it.

Just because the guys don't sleep around doesn't mean they can't fool around. We have gone to a few parties and we have caught them making out, but that's where it stops.

"Is that so?" He chuckled softly. "I can assure you that I don't have any intention to lose it," he stated. "Not unless it's you," he added after a short pause and I felt my cheeks heating up as my breath quickened.

That was as close as he got expressing how he felt for me and the thought of him waiting for me, warmed my heart. To be honest, my heart swelled a little and I welcomed the tingles I felt in my lower belly.

"I like it when you blush," he smiled, pushing a strand of hair behind my ears. The floor tiles suddenly looked so intriguing and I looked anywhere but him.

Noah's long index finger pushed my chin up, trying to meet my gaze. His thumb rested just below my lower lip and for a moment I forgot where we were.

A shrill of the bell distracted us and I heard my friends cursing silently as they looked at each other. I could hear them whispering about missing our first kiss and realized how close we were.

Somehow, it all felt right once again. I know I liked Noah. Not sure if I was ready to call that love. I never experienced love with a man before, so I didn't know. However, I cared deeply for him.

Shaking my head to clear the thoughts, I followed Noah to our first class.