The Aristocrat

They call it the morning after

Friday 16th.

My mother barely blinked when she heard me come home at 3 in the morning. She was sprawled on the sofa, her bare feet hanging off the edge. She had her phone pressed to her ear, her hair covering her hand.

Her eyes moved to the door where I was standing. They glazed over me, her face expressionless. She mumbled to the person she was talking to, too quiet for me to figure out who she was speaking to or what she was saying.

I waved to her, my fingers wiggling through the dim light room. Slowly she nodded her head in acknowledgment. Tiptoeing I walked across the room to the staircase.

"I'll call you tomorrow Rob," My mother whispered sweetly down the phone "Andra, wait."

My foot stopped, hovering over the first step. I retreated mutely standing in front of her laying figure.

"Sorry I'm late," I said, my voice soft and tired. I brushed my hand through my hair and attempted hopelessly to present myself.

"Where have you been?" She asked, her eyes squinted. She began studying me, her eyes drinking in my crumpled appearance.

"Just with the group," I shrugged casually.

She either couldn't see through my lie or she didn't want to, because she nodded her head and waved a hand in dismissal off me.

"Where's Dad?" I asked, already knowing the answer. My mother's eyes softened and she shook her head.

**

3 years earlier.

"Where's Dad?" I asked innocently.

My mother's expression saddened, tired emotions filling them.

For a woman who felt nothing so often, I thought, she felt more deeply than anyone else I knew. I hated what dad's absence did to her. She may not have been the best mum, but that didn't mean that my heart didn't ache for her every time he left.

"He left. He said he was sorry but he'll call when he lands," She informed me, her hand grazing my shoulder as she guided me over to my bed.

"But he said he'd be there tomorrow for my race," I insisted unbelievingly.

Deep down I knew she wasn't lying. My father had a habit of breaking promises. The important kind of promises. Sometimes I felt like coming home was more of a job for my dad than his actual business. 

"He'll be at the next one," My mother lied as I climbed into me bed.

"Sure," I huffed yanking the quilts over my body.

My mother softly sat on the side of my bed, her hand reaching out to rub my arm, "He loves you dearly Alessandra, never doubt that. We both do."

"I won't," I mumbled. My head nestled into the pillow and I managed a goodnight to my mother. In slow and quiet movements, she mother left and I drifted off.

My room was dark, the shadows swallowing the normal brightness of it. My alarm clock flashed beside me. 3:00. I rolled my eyes behind my eyelids, suddenly wide awake. My skin was hot and sweat clung to me. I rolled over, grabbing my phone and waiting. I watched the screen impatiently, anxiety seeping through my blood. After what felt like years, the screen brightened, blinding me. Alex's name flashed in front of my eyes. I swiped left and pushed the phone to my ear.

"Andra?" His voice echoed, soft and comforting. I relaxed back, the anxiety fading.

"Hey Alex," I whispered in secret though I knew my mum was fast asleep on the other side of the apartment.

"How are you?" He asked.

"I'm good, what about you? How's Venice?" I asked, having to remind myself to stay quiet.

"It's good," He mused, happiness cracking through his voice "I've actually meet someone."

My lips quirked up, pleased he wasn't so alone in another country, "What's she like?"

"She's something else entirely," my brother's laugh was innocent and pure "She's a lot like you. You'd love her."

We talked about nothing till the sunrise was starting to peer into my room. The soft thuds of footsteps in the hallway forced me to say goodbye quickly and grudgingly. He promised he'd call again soon.

When a quiet knock echoed out in my room, the door peeped out and Oliver appeared. A frown dented his smooth skin and he looked over to where I rolled over in bed.

I faked a yawn, "Oliver?"

Oliver puffed and scratched the back of his neck, "Were you just sleep talking?"

"How am I supposed to know? I was asleep," I rubbed my eyes as he moved into the room, closing the door behind him. He walked into the room and sat on the end of my bed.

"Good point," He said "Mum told me to wake you up for school."

I pushed down the quilt a bit as I sat up in my bed. Oliver's face was still clouded with a deep frown and it worried me.

"You ok?" I asked concerned.

He attempted to smile but it was useless, "Just tired."

"You're seriously going to lie to me?" I said guilt tripping him. It was wrong but I wanted to know what was wrong.

"I just saw something last night," He whispered, his eyes lost in a trance. My brows knitted together, I leant forward closer to him.

"What was it?" I asked, my voice soft and comforting.

Oliver took a moment to look at me but when he did his eyes wear glossed over with tears and his lips were straight and tight. It broke my heart, seeing him so sad.

"I just..." He started, his voice breaking "I-I can't say."

My shoulders sagged disappointed. 

"It's ok. You don't have to say," I said even though I was desperate for him to.

"Andra," Oliver said, his eyes looking straight into mine with seriousness "You know that no matter what you always have me and Casp."

"I know that," I frowned. What was he talking about?

"Andra, sometimes people are selfish and they screw up, disappoint you," He continued, not breaking eye contact "but me and Casp, we'll never do that to you. You can always trust us, I promise."