Chapter Nineteen - The Witch Has Come Out To Play

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I woke up in an unfamiliar setting. The walls were yellow, the floor had a white shag rug. I looked around me to see inspirational quotes on the walls. Believe you can and you're halfway there and if you want the rainbow you gotta put up with the rain were hung in frames.

I sat up. What was I doing at Avery's house? Avery's parents were obsessed with cute quotes or inscriptions. I always had the perfect Christmas gift lined up because you could just inscribe something for them and they would gush over the thoughtfulness of the gift and how special it was to them.

The events from last night came rushing into my head all at once and I fell back against the pillow groaning. After getting dinner and eating one and a half hot dogs, which Alexander was proud to tease me about, I asked him to drop me off at Avery's parents house.

I didn't want to see my mother. I knew I had a million angry messages to sift through but for this moment I just enjoyed the peace and quiet that I was sure would be in short supply today.

A knock sounded at the door and I sat up pulling the covers around me. I was wearing Avery's pajama shorts and a t-shirt with a band I'd never heard of on it. "Come in," I called.

"Hey," Avery said lightly as she opened the door with her elbow. She was holding two steaming cups of coffee and I accepted one gladly as she sat next to me on the bed with hers. "How's it going?" She asked as she took a long sip from her mug.

I did the same with mine. Margaret's French roast coffee was always to die for. "I feel okay. I'm just dreading getting through today." I replied honestly. I had told Avery what happened when I got to her place last night. We stayed up pretty late talking everything through and eating a crapload of junk food.

"Your mom called here this morning," Avery said.

"She did? Why?" I asked sitting up a little straighter.

She shrugged, "My mom answered. She wanted to see if you were sleeping here. It was a brief conversation," she laughed. My mother hated Margaret and though it was never confirmed, I had suspicions that the feelings were returned.

I didn't know why she cared enough to check in anyway. She was traveling for the most part and didn't bother to check in then. Then the reason clicked in my head.

"She wanted to make sure I wasn't at Alexander's," I rolled my eyes at her predictability. I could have gotten pregnant with Aaron's child and she wouldn't bat an eyelash but the moment I'm around someone who wasn't part of her circle, she plays the role of worrying mother. "Aaron mentioned that Alexander and I were dating to my mom," Avery began to open her mouth, "we're not, obviously."

Avery closed her mouth. "Aaron is the biggest douche I've ever met."

"I'm there with you, sister." Now more than ever, I couldn't believe I ever dated him. My opinions of him were so soiled by everything that had happened - he was an entitled snob and it had taken me two years to figure it out for myself.

"So, what are you going to do?" Avery asked.

"I have to go home at some point." I sighed picking my phone up, dreading what was to come. I hadn't even glanced at my phone after I called Alexander last night.

22 missed calls - Mom
4 missed calls - Aaron

"Sleaze bag," Avery snapped as she looked at my phone next to me.

I began to read the texts from my mom to Avery who was peering over my shoulder.

Mom: Olivia, I have never been more disappointed in you in my life. You're throwing away a golden opportunity for comfort and connections for what? A moron with a motorcycle who will drag you down in life.

Mom: This is how you treat a man who has been good to you? Who has bought you jewellery, who has taken you out, who has showed you off to others out of his pride for you?

Mom: All those classes spent on improving you - French, piano, dance, ballet, debutante balls, all down the drain. I thought I raised you better than this. I thought you were better than this.

Mom: I hope you know I won't support these decisions. You've lived a privileged life until this point. Let's see how you fair with really being on your own.

Avery let out a loud whistle, "The witch has come out to play."

My mind was reeling with anger. What were we in the 1800s where I couldn't make my own choices about the men in my life? My mother was the queen of living from man to man. I didn't question her decisions. It's not like there was a maternal relationship that she was playing off of.

Most of my childhood was spent being raised by nannies while my mother travelled. She didn't have ground to stand on, but it angered me that she thought she did. She thought I'd look at these texts and come scampering home to plead for forgiveness and run back into Aaron's arms. Maybe I would have before all this. Maybe I would have before Alexander.

My phone buzzed just as we finished reading the insane texts from my mom.

Alexander: Morning
Alexander: I just wanted to check in to see how you were. Let me know if you need anything today. I'm around.
Alexander: Also, please change "can eat three hot dogs" to can "barely scarf down one and a half" on your resume. The world needs to know

I laughed and Avery shot me a look. I forgot she had been reading my mom's messages with me.

"Do you guys text often?" She asked curiously.

"Just here and there," I replied suddenly feeling self conscious as she stared at me oddly. "Why?"

"It's just interesting." She replied.

I was glad that whatever thoughts she had - and I could guess them - she kept to herself. I think deep down we both knew these were words better left unsaid.

By the time I got dressed in some of Avery's clothes, her house was empty as Tommy was at school and her parents were at work. There was no time like the present to confront my mother. Really, there were many other times but I had no choice since all my stuff was at the house and I was pretty sure she knew this and was smoking me out of my foxhole.

While I was waiting for Avery to finish getting dressed, I pulled out my phone and texted Alexander back.

Olivia: You caught me on a bad day. It's still valid information.

Alexander: We'll have to have one more practice session before I make my final decision then

Olivia: I'm going to talk with my mom today. Can you help prep me with rule number four?

Alexander: Rule number 4 - take responsibility for how you spend your time and energy. Don't allow yourself to feel like a victim because everything you do is in your control.

Olivia: Well that's fitting

Alexander: How are you feeling?

Olivia: Braver

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