More problems

“Liam, where were you?”

My mother’s voice followed me up the staircase and down the barely lit hall. I startled so badly when I heard that dominant voice of hers suddenly behind me. I nearly knocked over the antique vase perched on its pedestal near the landing, one of her prized possessions that no one is allowed to touch.

I caught the vase just in time and exhaled.

When I turned, she was already there, arms crossed, watching me with that look, the one that said she’d been worried but would never admit it outright.

“I was at school practicing but we lost again,” I said with a groan, tilting my head back until it brushed the wall. “And Hudson got on my nerves.” I added.

She clicked her tongue softly, clearly unimpressed, and followed me as I pushed open the door to my room. She stood near the doorway for a moment, then moved closer, perching on the edge of the chair next to my bed.

“I don’t like it when you come back late,” she said, softer now. “I get worried.”

“I’m fine, Mom,” I muttered. “Just tired.”

“Also...” ,she started, then paused. My stomach tightened instantly. “Also what?” I asked, sitting up straight a little, the joking edge gone from my voice.

“Your father’s condition is worsening,” she said quietly. “The doctors adjusted his medication again today, but…” She trailed off, pressing her lips together. The room felt smaller all of a sudden. “What do you mean worsening?” I asked, the words coming out too fast. My bad day was going to become more worse.

“He was,” she said quickly, reaching out to rest her hand on my knee. “And he still is, in some ways. But the episodes are getting more frequent. He’s weaker. More confused.”

I swallowed hard, my gaze drifting to the floor. My leg bounced without me realizing it, adrenaline creeping back into my system even though I was exhausted down to my bones.

"He will be fine, don’t worry", A small smile formed on her face. "By the way besides that Sofia is going  spend the summer break here again." Her next words destroyed the peaceful moment.

 "Not again." I groaned. "What do you mean not again? She's a really nice girl", She turned and looked at me. “Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked with a serious expression on my face.

“I didn’t want to add to your stress,” she replied gently. “I know  it that you don’t like her.” A bitter laugh escaped me when I heard her words. “Yeah, well. Then why did you allow her to spend the summer here.”

“Liam, she is really a nice girl, why are you annoyed”, She frowned, worry etching deeper into her face. 

“I already had a shitty day,” I said, rubbing my hands over my face. “We lose, Hudson’s being an asshole, and now this.” I dropped my hands and looked at her, my chest tight. “I feel like everything’s just piling up and I can’t do anything about it.” She watched me for a long moment, without replying.

“Why don’t you like her, Liam? I want you to be hone..”

“She is too nice… too pure but just enough bitch.” The words came out harsher than intended, but I didn’t take them back. I never did when it came to Sofia.

"Well, she'll be arriving here tomorrow", my mother continued ignoring my honest explanation. "And I expect you to be nice.., well nicer than last time."

I chuckled for a quick second, rapidly stopping myself when mom shot me that look. I cleared my throat, reverting my gaze towards the flat-screen again, pretending to be absorbed in whatever was paused there.

Without another word, she finally left my room, scolding me under her breath before shutting the door behind her.

She left me burning with anger as I thought about Sofia Woods, my cousin. An adult, old enough to know exactly what she is always doing. She isn’t innocent at all just like my mother knows. She just plays the part beautifully.

I leaned back against my pillows, jaw clenched so tight it ached. The ceiling fan spun lazily above me doing nothing to cool the heat simmering under my skin. Sofia’s name replayed in my head like a bad chorus I couldn’t shut off. To my mother, she was polite, sweet, respectful. To everyone else, she was charming, effortless, untouchable.

To me, she was something else entirely.

For some reason, I absolutely detested Sofia and not because of the fake show she portrays before mom but because everyone thinks she's got more of a chance in life than me.

What my mother didn’t see was how Sofia whispered to other girls, her friends nudging them toward me like I was some prize to be passed around. How she encouraged them to flirt with me, to chase me, to sleep with me, things I didn’t want.

I hated how trapped it made me feel. How saying no never seemed to stick. How refusing only made them try harder.

In some twisted way, I think she knows it that I am into men.

The thought made my stomach knot and I immediately grabbed my iPhone 17 promax from beneath my pillow and texted Rose. I had to set up an appointment for tomorrow.

My fingers moved fast, almost frantic, tapping out words I barely reread before hitting send. Anything to distract myself. Anything to give me an excuse to be gone, to avoid the tension that would crawl through the house the moment Sofia walked in with her suitcase and her perfect smile.

Anything to make sure I wouldn’t be here when Ms. Bitch Two Shoes arrived. I didn’t want to see her face at ll.

After sending Rose a message, I turned N*****x back on, letting episode after episode blur together until my eyes finally gave out. I was exhausted physically and mentally and tomorrow would demand energy I wasn’t sure I had.

I had Hudson to deal with at school , my father's health condition  worsening and Sofia would be coming.

Three problems. Three different battles. And I felt unprepared for all of them.

Either way, sleep was the only escape I had left.