Today was the day, I was going to talk to her. Things between me and her had been super awkward and tense lately, and even my dad couldn't stand it anymore.
So there I was, being dragged by my dad into the living room, where she was perched on her throne - aka the kitchen seat. I couldn't help but notice her fingers flying across the keyboard, almost like dragon claws. And those glasses of hers, sitting low on her nose. She was like a beast in human form.
"alright Zhera, go on." My dad said snapping me out of my thoughts
I cleared my throat and made my where towards where my mom was sitting, on the kitchen counter.
We stayed there in silence one not wanted to back down. Either she was going to be the adult.. well the older one and parent and talk or we're not going to be progressing here
"Hunny talk to Zhera."
Yeah mom talk to your daughter.
My mom stopped typing, turned towards him than me. And took a big breath in. "I guess it's been a couple of days since, last time, want to talk about it?"
"yeah." I whispered
I could feel dad smiling.
"I've had some time to think and realized that I was a bit too much that day."
A bit? yeah right, I nodded and stayed quiet, waiting for her to continue, but she didn't of course.
"Do you support my choice?"
"not really, but I realized it's your life and do whatever you want, i'm going to try to understand it."
"But why"
"why what?"
"Why don't you support my choice to be a lawyer"
My mother's response was swift and firm. "Because I sent you to school to be something better, not a lawyer. Your education is important, and a doctor is better."
I felt a surge of frustration and confusion. "School, school, school, that's all you guys talk about," I muttered under my breath.
"What are you talking about, young lady?" my mother demanded, her voice rising. "What do you mean, Zhera?" my dad chimed in.
I guess this was the day that I was going to talk to them about it.
"I feel like you guys always prioritize my education. I also think that my education is important, but sometimes it feels like you guys put it above me."
The room fell into silence, and then my dad broke it with a gentle voice, "How long have you been feeling this way?"
"For a long time, especially during moments like these. It's always about school, school, school. It feels like you never ask how I'm doing or if I'm okay, just about my education ."
The relief flooded through me as I finally let it all out. It felt liberating to express how I felt
My mom turned towards me a look of regret on her face. "Why didn't you tell us earlier?"
I fiddled with my fingers "I don't know, I just didn't know how to tell you."
She looked at my dad, and he sighed.
"Sorry, for making you feel that way, hunny." He said .My mom continued "We never wanted to make you feel like that, of course we care about you and you will always come first okay?."
Wow they were really apologizing, especially my mom. I never knew this day would come
"okay, and i'm sorry for not wanting to be a doctor."
My mom smiled, pulling me in a hug "it's fine, Zhera." I nuzzled my head in her arms whispering "thank you."
—
"My moms and I are finally talking, again"
"Yeah?" Aiden hummed, reaching out to fix a strand of hair that had fallen on my face.
"mhm, we talked and we're finally good. Is your dad still MIA?" I asked, absentmindedly twisting my pencil on my finger.
We're currently in the school library, studying for the final exam.
Aiden scratched his head, his expression filled with a mix of uncertainty . "A bit, but it's not the same as before. I'll just give it some time."
I could tell Aiden wanted to mend his relationship with his dad, especially after he told him about not wanting to pursue professional football.
"He'll eventually come around," I reassured him, my attention shifting back to my work.
"Wrong, Thompson." Aiden said pointing at my paper, where I was writing the definition of the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of cell cycle progression in eukaryotic cells.
"Is it not this?"
As he leaned closer to me, I couldn't help but notice the alluring scent of his cologne, that irresistible vanilla aroma that seemed to envelop the space around us.
It was a scent that had become glued with him, always present and comforting.
I couldn't help but notice that a few buttons on his uniform were undone, revealing a glimpse of his toned chest. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled down, emphasizing the definition of his arms as they flexed with each movement he made. The veins on his arms were subtly visible.
How did he manage to look so effortlessly hot? All he was doing was helping me but he still managed to look so attractive.
As I was captivated by Aiden, I found myself lost in the moment, unable to hear the words that escaped his lips. It was as if time stood still.
How did i even manage to bag a guy like this? God i'm so lucky
Suddenly, I was snapped out of my daze by the feeling of his lips pressing against mine. Confusion washed over me as I turned towards Aiden, searching for an explanation. With a hint of amusement in his eyes, he pulled away "You weren't listening to me."
I tried to process what had just happened. Aiden, noticing my confusion, gently placed his hand on my cheek and leaned in closer, his lips brushing against mine once more. "I'm sorry," he whispered, "I just wanted to make sure you were paying attention."
I awkwardly smiled, feeling a flutter of butterflies in my stomach. "S-sorry, can you repeat that?"
"The answer is option A," he began. "It involves a complex network of molecular mechanisms that coordinate the activities of CDKs, cyclins, and checkpoint proteins."
Fuck i'm doomed, I was always good at science but these days with everything going on my mind has been somewhere else.
Feeling overwhelmed, I took a long sip of my coffee, hoping it would somehow provide me with the mental clarity I desperately needed.
A groan escaped my lips as I realized the caffeine boost wasn't doing much to help my confusion.
"You're drinking way too much coffee, Thompson," Aiden chuckled, pulling me closer by the waist. "It's not going to help. don't worry, I'll help you, okay?"
"okay." I whispered sitting up straight. I don't know how Aiden does it. After all that's going on with his dad and sports he still manages to stay focus and help me.
—
We continued studying for a couple more hours,and I was finally getting to understand it more. As the time to leave finally arrived, Aiden insisted on walking me back home.
"Alright, bye," I said tiredly, waving at him before turning to head inside.
But just as I was about to step through my front door, Aiden reached out and grabbed my hand, causing me to pause.
"Wait," he said, "I have to tell you something."
"Yeah? What is it?"
Aiden took a deep breath, his eyes locked with mine. "My mom wants to meet you," he revealed, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "She's inviting you to dinner tomorrow."
—
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