Pretty Well

Mum's eyes are calmer now, what happens next? Well, it's a lot of crying, apologising, anger, that quickly turns to joy, smiles, and laughing, clearing the air works sometimes, not always, but sometimes. I could recount it all, but it's not important, because any argument with any good parent ends the same way:

"I love you, Scarlet, I'm sorry I let you down, I should have been there, you should have told me, but we're moving forward, okay? However you want to handle it, I trust you." Mums just know what to say, don't they? No wonder Oedipus is so famous.

"I don't know yet." I reply, honestly. "I don't know how they're going to react, but I suppose I'll be suspended, so that'll give me time off at least."

"No chance, I'm calling the school, explaining it all, you'll be in tomorrow, Elise too." Mum states decisively, I'm almost scared to ask why she's so sure of that, but I just smile, not like I would have much to do with my time off besides video games and flicking the bean. "I like her."

"Me too" I agree, with a confused tone. "But I'm not sure why you do after earlier?"

"Reminds me a lot of me, plenty of heart in her, and plenty of temper." Mum explains, I can't disagree, Elise is a lot like my Mum. Oedipus, you smug bastard. "Much smarter than me at that age though, found the right person to latch on to." She adds, nudging me, never considered myself much of a prize, but at least Mum thinks so. "Go check on her and Jasper, I'll make that call."

I follow Mum's instructions, and arrive in the Kitchen, Elise is sat at the table, finishing off the remainder of a grilled cheese, while Jasper leans against the counter, cup of tea in hand.

"Still eating? I thought I was in there longer." I question, time tends to distort when you're upset.

"Oh, you were, this started out as a pizza, then an omelette, then French toast, now this." Elise explains, mockingly, "I had to take what I could get before I starved. How do you function?" she directs to Jasper.

"I don't usually." Jasper chuckles, self-deprecation was his style of humour, seems like Elise figured that out. "If you're all good I've gotta go, need to make up my hours with work." He states, grabbing his jacket off the back of a nearby chair.

"Say Hi to Minnie for me!" I request.

"We're not together anymore" he responds heading towards the door.

"Then tell her next week, when you are again!" I laugh, Jasper and Minnie were their own Soap Opera, possibly a Sitcom, hard to say at times.

"I've got to be going soon too, I'll text my Papa." Elise interjects, reaching for her phone, "How are you feeling?"

"Good, all things considered, guess we'll see how things are tomorrow, assuming Mum gets her way." I explain, taking a seat at the table next to Elise.

"I always get my way" Speak of the devil, Mum enters announcing gleefully, followed by Rouge? I didn't hear her come in, she walks to the fridge and grabs a bottle of soda. "I had a chat with your head of year, just had to explain that in light of them punishing you for something that wasn't your fault, I'd be **** to take you out of the school, you and Rouge, of course." Oxbridge-bound, star pupil Rouge? Not likely. "He understood and has revoked your punishment, you'll be back in school tomorrow." She confirm, the massive smirk on her face giving away how much she enjoyed that.

My Mother is terrifying. Not that that's news.

Rouge's eyes told a different story, doesn't look like she enjoyed being the centre of Mum's game of chicken. Her **** stare then turning to Elise. As much as I'd have enjoyed Elise knocking her down a peg, we're interrupted by the sound of a text.

"It's my Papa, the car's outside." She explains, putting her coat on, and reaching for her bag, only to be interrupted by mum pulling her into a hug.

"Thank you for being there today, you'd better not be a stranger anymore!" Mum coos softly, talk about a 180 from her earlier comments.

"I'll walk you out." I state as we make our way to the door, Elise hands me a piece of paper.

"My number's on there, send me a text, I'll add you online as well!" She chirps, pulling me in for a hug. She smells like a light spring breeze, damn, I'm not sure whether to be turned on or feel inadequate, this girl's way out of my league.

I wave the car off, and close the door. I linger for a moment, today's been crazy, I haven't been able to get my bearings, it's distracting me from realising something.

I've never been so horny in my entire life.

"I'm knackered, gonna have a lay down!" I shout through to the kitchen, and head up to my room. I need some time alone and my imagination.