Anchor mommy!

Chapter 1: The Last Day

The sun was barely peeking through my window when I woke up, filled with a mix of dread and hope. Today was the last day of school before summer vacation, the one escape I desperately needed. No more cruel whispers, no more sneers, no more bullies making jokes about my mom—at least for a couple of months. I swung my feet out of bed and stretched, feeling lighter already.

From downstairs, I heard her voice. My mom’s voice is the kind that makes you feel safe, even when everything else feels like it's falling apart. “Sweetie, breakfast is ready!” she called, her voice melodic and sweet, always full of warmth. I almost smiled. Despite everything, I knew I was lucky. Not everyone had a mom like her, even if she was a constant topic of gossip and ridicule at school.

I pulled on my clothes and glanced in the mirror. The reflection staring back was familiar—skinny, pale, glasses that slid down my nose. I adjusted them, sighing at the thought of facing my tormentors one last time. At least until summer was over.

As I walked downstairs, the smell of pancakes filled the air, and there she was—my mom, looking as perfect as ever. Her long blonde hair cascaded down her back, and her curves made her seem like she’d walked right out of a magazine. She smiled at me, her face lighting up the room. It was hard to believe she was 41, especially with how effortlessly beautiful she was. The kind of beauty that made men turn their heads, and unfortunately, the kind that made my life a living hell at school.

“Morning, kiddo!” she said, placing a plate in front of me. “Excited for the last day?”

I nodded, managing a weak smile. I didn’t want to ruin her mood with my own problems. She had enough to deal with, being the town’s sweetheart. Everyone adored her, not just for her looks but because she was genuinely kind. As the news reporter for our local TV station, she had built a reputation as a compassionate and talented journalist. I could only wish to have half her charisma.

But to me, she was just Mom—the one person I could count on when things got tough. And boy, did they get tough. Being the son of the most beautiful woman in town came with a price. At school, I was known more for her than for myself. The bullies loved to remind me of that, making crude jokes and inappropriate comments, always looking for a way to get to her. But I never let them. I protected her the best I could, even though it meant more torment for me.

“Don’t forget, we’re going out for dinner tonight,” she said, breaking through my thoughts. “I’m thinking Italian. Sound good?”

“Yeah, sounds great,” I mumbled through a mouthful of pancake, trying to keep my spirits up. Just one more day. I could survive one more day.

She gave me a look, sensing something was off, but she didn’t push. That’s one of the things I loved about her—she always knew when to give me space. As I finished up breakfast, I grabbed my backpack and headed for the door, her voice following me out.

“Have a great day, sweetheart! You’re almost free!”

I smiled weakly and waved before stepping out into the cool morning air. The walk to school felt longer than usual, every step weighed down by the anticipation of what awaited me.