Chapter 21

Friday ha come sooner than I had expected.

"Have fun on your date tonight," Oliver called out to me as I was leaving school grounds.

My response to him was sticking the rude finger out at him.

I continued walking home humming to myself.

I closed the door and mum walked into the living room.

"You're home early."

"Yeah, I have a date tonight."

"You never asked me if you could go."

"Well I am going."

"Cecelia."

"Mum."

Mum sighed and sat down on the edge of the couch. "Cecelia, you have to ask if you can go somewhere."

"But you usually say no."

"It doesn't hurt to try."

I sighed and sat down in recliner. "Mum, may I go out tonight?"

"Is it Oliver that you are going on a date with tonight?"

"No, it's Jordan his brother."

"How old is Jordan?"

"A year younger than me."

"Ah, okay. That's fine I guess."

"So is everything okay?"

"What is Eve like....Doe she have goals?"

"She wants to be a professional photographer, but she is not sure if she can get out of this town to do it."

Mum nodded."And Oliver?"

"He's leaving at the end of this year to go to New York to see if he can't land up gigs there. He's a really good singer and he can play the guitar."

Mum smiled. "That's good to know."

"So I can go to all these events?"

Mum nodded. "You may go out on all these events. Now when is this date?"

"Jordan said he will pick me up at seven. I have no idea where he is taking me."

"That doesn't help on what you must wear."

I shrugged. I have never been picky on clothes. But from the sounds of this conversation it sounded like mum really wants to help me.

"Well show me what clothes you have."

"Are you going to help me pick out something to wear mum?"

"Is that alright?"

I grinned. "That's great."

Mum wanted to help me out for once.

After an hour of mum going through my clothes to find a girly day dress, then her ushering me to go shower, her applying makeup on my face and doing up my hair, I looked at the floor length mirror and smiled. My hair was dead straight, my eyes weren't covered in eyeliner, but it was thinly applied, my lips had a coat of lip gloss. I was wearing a denim dress that went just above the knees and I wore my combat boots. Mum tried to convince me to leave the boots and wear something more girly, but I didn't give in.

We came to a mutual agreement that she could do my hair and makeup if I could wear my boots.

I looked pretty for once instead of wearing my I don't give a s**t what you think look.

Mum and I both stared at my reflection for a bit until we heard a bang coming from the front door.

Rick was home, I thought.

Mum bit her lip and gave my shoulders a soft squeeze. leaving me alone in my room and her going downstairs to see Rick.

I walked closer to the mirror and inspected the makeup around my eyes for a minute, making sure it didn't smudge anywhere until I heard banging coming from downstairs. 

I whipped around and ran downstairs.

"You selfish b***h." Rick told my mother.

I glanced at my mother who lay on the floor with her nose bleeding. Rick standing over her, his face red with anger and his fists clenched.

"What are you doing to my mother?" I shrieked.

Rick snapped around and pinned me to the wall.

"That's none of your business little girl," he hissed in my face.

"It sure is my business you a*****e."

"Don't use that language with me."

"Don't hit my mother."

And then he slapt me, so I spat in his face. My left cheek started to tingle in pain.

He threw me to the ground, glared at me for a second and then stormed out of the house. on his way to the bar most likely.

I stood up trembling and walked over to my mother to try and help her up.

She was crying like crazy.

"Why are you with him Mum? He treats you like s**t."

She sobbed. "Because I love him."

I hugged her. "You could do so much better."

"I know...but there is no escaping here, he owns the car, everything."

I bit my lip. "We will escape one day mum, I promise."

"I hope so...I hope so. I am so sorry to bring you into this Cecilia." She cried.

"It's alright." I murmured, stroking her hair.

A truck stopped on our driveway and Jordan climbed out of the car. 

I sighed and pulled away from my mum, "Perhaps I should cancel."

Mum shook her head. "No, don't do that. Go have fun. Rick will only be back tomorrow morning."

"Are you sure that you will be okay?"

She nodded and then bit her lip. "Your hair is ruined."

I shrugged. "I can't look pretty forever."

She sighed. "Looks do fade." 

"Yet your still beautiful."

Mum smiled. "I love you Cecilia."

"I love you to mum."

There was a knock on the door.

Mum inhaled a few good deep breaths and then walked with me to the door.

"Hello there Mrs Bloom, I'm Jordan."

"Nice to meet you Jordan, sorry I am a bit of a wreck. Had an eventful day." Mum said thinking of the right words to say.

Jordan nodded. "I understand. Cece, we better get going."

"Mum, are you sure you want me to go?"

"I'll be fine sweetheart. Now go and have fun."

I smiled at her and followed Jordan to his truck.

He pulled out of the driveway and and asked me, "Are you sure you're okay?"

I looked at him in his eyes for a few seconds. How do you know I am not okay?"

"I can see through your fake smile."

My bottom lip started to quiver, he put his hand around me and I started to cry.