Sophie is home earlier than I had expected tonight. “You are home early?” I say as she walks in through the door.
“Dan had some family emergency he had to go deal with so here I am.”
“How is everything going with you two?”
“Everything is great, I really like him.”
“I am pleased to see you so happy.”
“Speaking of happy, you don’t look so happy these days. Alanna is there something going on?” I wish I could tell Sophie everything. “No I am fine,”
“Are you sure? I have never seen you look so pale, have you been sleeping okay?”
“Not really, it takes me forever to fall asleep and when I do I have nightmares.”
“What is causing you to have bad dreams?”
“I am not sure; I am a little stressed right now about class and stuff.”
“Are you still in contact with Adrian?” “Yes but we had our first fight tonight.” “What happened?”
“I did something that he asked me not to.”
“What did you do Alanna?”
“It was silly, and I would rather not get back into it, he hasn’t talked to me in four hours.”
“Alanna I know you have feelings for this guy, and I know I said I was happy for you. But I am getting concerned now?”
“Why?”
“It seems as if he is controlling you.”
“What would make you say that?”
“You never seem to go out anymore, you never see your family and you spend all your time with his step brother, it all seems a little weird Alanna?”
“It’s not, I have just been showing Michael around, and I am going to make plans to meet up with my Mom.”
“Even so, you have changed, it’s like you are someone else with him.”
“I am not, I am still me, I have just grown up more that’s all.”
“I don’t see you growing up; all I see is sadness when I look at you.”
“I am not sad. I couldn’t be happier with Adrian.”
“Tell me this, why don’t you see him?”
“He is busy all the time; he doesn’t get a moment to himself.”
“But surely if he cared so much about you, he would make time to come and visit.”
“He would if he could.”
“You seem like he is the air you breathe, I just hope he feels the same way about you.”
I lay on my bed as I hear Sophie run herself a bath. The talk I just had with Sophie has just confirmed that there is no way I could ever tell her the truth.
Morning arrives and I wake with a jolt out bed, to hear my phone buzzing. This time it is not Adrian, but it is my mom. Before I open her message, I check to see if there are any messages on my white phone, but there is still none from Adrian, he must still be mad. I open the text from my mom to read,
Alanna I will be in the city today, I would love it if we could meet up for a coffee. It feels like forever since I saw you last, let me know Mom.
My mom is right, it does feel like forever since I last saw her, so I quickly reply,
I know it has been ages, just text me the details and I will be there, all my love Alanna.
I look over to Sophie’s bed, but I see that she has left already. I get out of bed and go into the bathroom. As I catch my reflection in the mirror, I see that I really look horrific, there is no way I can let my mom see me like this. She would know something was wrong so I jump in the shower, and as I feel the hot dripping water on my back, I cannot help but think of Adrian and the way he is acting. I know I pushed the boundaries by talking to that man, but I really do feel that he is taking it a step too far. I switch off the shower and step over to the mirror once again. I rummage through my wash bags that lay on the counter; I find some under-the-eye, dark-circle remover and I pop on a few drops then begin again to look for more products to make myself look a little bit presentable. I use some blush and glowing moisturizer and then do my eyes. Finally I blow dry my hair and apply some lip-gloss. I get dressed in my best, as I do not really want to hear fashion advice of what I should and should not be wearing from my mom. I put on my best skinny jeans and a black, fitted, button up shirt, and for the first time in ages, I put on my Loubotins. I grab my bag, head out the door, and walk along to Michael’s room. I knock once on his door and I can hear voices scurrying around, so I knock again, I still hear the voices but no one comes to the door. I slowly open the door and make my way into the room. I walk quietly into the room, and what I see I knew was coming, but it is still awkward to witness. Right there, in front of my two eyes, I see Katharine standing over by the bathroom wearing one of Michael’s shirts, she is shocked when she sees me and she tries to explain.