Green Eyed Douche
2098 Words
KIARA FALLS
~~
That didn't just happen? Right?
My mouth hung open and my heart raced rapidly, causing my chest to rise and fall at the same pace while my mind raced to understand all the drama that I just witnessed.
What the actual hèll was that?
The dining hall was silent and I could have sworn I could hear my heart beating like it would pop out of my chest soon.
I said to myself, “Breath, Kiara. Breathe.”
After inhaling and exhaling for what seemed like forever, looking at my soiled dress and the shattered dishes as I controlled my breaths.
As soon as I got my racing mind and heart back to their normal pace, I heard the sound of an engine zooming off in the distance. I didn't have to be told that whoever that was had to be Jack and the engine I heard was that of a motorcycle.
I gasped worried, “He can't be driving. He is hurt and he is bleeding.”
My eyes cut to Steve whose fists were clenched tightly as he responded with a voice just as tight, “I am sorry for my son’s mess—”
“Apologizing can wait, Mr. Miller. You have to— or someone has to go after your son. He could get into an accident or cause one.” I countered feeling agitated.
Or should I say angry?
I was pissed. I knew that much but I couldn't pinpoint the reason or the source of the subtle anger licking me from within.
Was I angry because Jack ruined my dress and scared the living out of me when he cleared the table angrily?
Or perhaps I was mad because my mom didn't inform me that she was getting married in a few months and I had to find out in the heat of the moment?
Yes, I was happy for my mom and she probably called me over for dinner because she wanted to announce her engagement to Steve Miller. However, I would have appreciated it if she hinted at me and helped me prepare for the possibility— this was overwhelming.
All of this was.
Today itself was overwhelming for me. Starting a new job, meeting the biggest scientist in town, and my soon-to-be stepdad and his arrogant— no. He wasn't arrogant. He was just bat shît crazy.
Jackàss was crazy.
“He will be alright, Kiara. I will send someone to him and make sure he is fine.” Steve etched, breaking my chain of thoughts.
But I was quick to return to my own mind… a space that was not violent.
J mean, when I met Jack in my class, I thought he was just a stupid teenager who would do anything to fight authority but after what I saw, the interaction between him and his dad, I can't tell that he wasn't stupid at all… he was crazy. And stupid, maybe.
“Please let me apologize for Jack’s behavior. He is having a tough time and I am doing everything I can to get him the help he needs.” Steve let out, sounding like he would rather jump off a cliff than apologize on Jack’s behalf like this.
He was pissed too.
I could see rage dancing in his eyes but in those same eyes was worry. Genuine worry.
For a split second, Steve’s unspoken emotions made me yearn to have a man I could call my dad. A maternal figure who would worry about me while he is mad at me. That would be nice. Crazy how Jack couldn't see how lucky he was.
Rather than speak my mind to the lovers before me, I muttered gently, “It's alright, Mr Miller. Thank you for dinner and I—” I paused, confused as I didn't know how best to tell him I was leaving without sounding like I was mad at him. “I probably should get going. It's late and—”
“You can't leave, baby.” My mom countered.
For the first time since Jack’s aggressive stunt, I looked at my mom, realizing that her dress was just as ruined as mine. I wanted to tell her, “You should have said that to your spoilt soon-to-be stepson who thinks he could go outlandish when I am present.”
But I settled for a sad smile as I responded, “I know it's late Mom but I can find my way around and get home safe. You should be worried about Jack, not me.”
Before my mom could say otherwise, loud footsteps echoed through the dining room, and soon Edna and two other women entered the space.
“Oh my my.” Edna breathed as her eyes found the mess that dinner had become all thanks to a certain green-eyed douche. “We heard the sounds but we were on the other side. So sorry it took so long—”
“You can get to work, Edna. Please.” Steve cut in, sounding polite.
Edna nodded and ushered the two other women into the dining room while my mom moved closer to Steve who beckoned to me, saying, “Please come with us, Kiara. Your mom and I have something to tell you.”
My eyebrows quirked and my gaze fell on my mom, questioning her.
Mom shrugged, “We have a request. Please come with us, Kia.”
Sighing, I picked up my small purse and followed my mom and Steve back to the living room while Edna and her colleagues began to clean up after Jackàss.
I could only hope that my mom and Steve wouldn't keep me here any longer. I needed to get out of here, freshen up, and go in search of Dave… again.
My man was out there somewhere, avoiding me for an unclear reason—
“Please have a seat, Kiara,” Steve called out to me, sitting on a two-seater couch with my mom beside him. I settled on the soft couch opposite the duo and did everything I could to stay focused.
For a minute or two, my mom and Steve didn't say a word. They just looked at me and I looked back at them expecting something other than decorum.
When they didn't give me that, I uttered, “I am all ears, Mom. I have work tomorrow and I still have to sort things out—”
I tried to communicate the urgency I felt and make the lovers before me understand that I was a busy woman but my mom cut in, “Move in with us, Kiara.”
What?
Did I hear her right?
She has got to be kidding me…
“Mom?” I called, wanting to be certain.
“We want you to move in with us, Kiara.” Steve let out, supporting my mom.
How could they ask me to move into this place? A place that had more toxicity than anywhere I have ever been? The toxicity here was more dangerous than Azidoazide azide.
Move in and live under the same roof with Jackàss?
No way in hèll!
“I appreciate the offer.” No, I don't. “But I will have to decline, guys. You have a lovely home but I am an adult and I prefer living alone—”
“No, you don't.” My mom stated. She sat upright and continued, “You learned to live alone, Kiara. You don't prefer it. I know I have been a terrible mom and this is me asking you to please let me be a better mom for you. Steve and I are getting married and he wants to know you just as much as I want to know Jack and you better. Currently, we don't have much support and I am hoping you will move in and be the support we need to keep loving each other. Please, Kiara.”
Huh!
What does moving in with them have to do with the progress of their love?
I could tell they were in love and Jack was blind to have thought my mom was his dad’s plaything. He was a fool in fact.
If anything, his dad would be my mom’s plaything. Zora Shore doesn't let her guard down unless she is certain…
“Building this family needs us all to be on deck. I want you and Jack to relate well and become close just like I want us both to be closer.” Steve muttered. “Your mom hasn't stopped talking about you and It would be a shame if Jack’s attitude threw you off and ruined our chances of creating a better family.”
“Please move in with us, Kiara.” Mom chimed, hope glinting in her eyes.
I thought hard for what seemed like forever to the duo sitting across the room and I realized that this was important to my mom. I shouldn't ruin the tiny bit of happiness she had managed to get just because I hated Jack’s behavior. Even if I avoided Jack here, I would most likely have to tolerate him in school.
However, staying here would also mean that I was ready to tolerate him for as long as our parents stayed together.
That was—
“Say something, Kia.” My mom pushed for an answer.
Steve also mouthed, “Will it make a difference if I have Jack apologize to you? Just say yes to us and I will make it happen.”
I couldn't help but smile.
“I can't say yes, guys.” I let out, breaking my mom’s hope and Steve’s excitement. But I was quick to add, “But I will think about your offer and get back to you.”
My mom pouted, knowing that my response was the same as “No, I won't be moving in but I can't tell you guys that and I need to get the hèll out of here.”
But Steve, who didn't know better, voiced, “That’s good enough. How about we start by having you for the night? A trial might convince you, Miss Kiara.”
Like I was a dummy, Steve spelled out, “Spend the night here in our home and think about the offer. I expect answers in the morning. What do you say?”
“I say that’s not good but I can do that,” I answered with a smile.
My mom’s face lit up and she gleefully jammed her palms together, “You ain't regret this, sweetie.”
But I did regret that decision.
The journey to the land of regret began when my mom called on Edna and asked her to take me to a clean room where I would be spending the night.
My mom added, “And kindly prepare a room that can be hers as soon as she agrees to move in. Thank you, Edna.”
Edna nodded while I said, “I would like to freshen up, please.”
“Come with me, Miss,” Edna said to me.
I followed her, leaving my mom and Steve in the living room. I had a lot to think about but a good shower was needed first.
I didn't pay attention to Edna or the surroundings as I walked behind Edna until she said, “You can make use of this room until we have yours prepared. This is the only clean room available but—”
“Thank you, Edna,” I said to her with a smile and pushed the door open, entering another space that appeared beautiful but felt void of life.
Edna left after showing me where the bathroom in the room was and I took a quick shower, soaking my dress in the tub with hopes that it would get the stains off.
But I forgot that I had nothing else to wear to bed. I didn't know how to call on Edna or my mom since I left my cell phone in the living room with my purse.
“I guess it's time to sleep,” I muttered to myself, suddenly feeling the weight of the day crushing my shoulders.
I closed my eyes after collapsing into the perfectly soft bed, embracing one of the pillows on the bed, forgetting all my worries just to catch some sleep before reality caught up to me…
In the form of a certain Jackàss.
- Writer
