The Taste Of Desire

Serenity’s POV My mother’s scream tears through the silence of the night. I run out of my room, crouching by the stairwell, as another loud crash echoes through the house. “Please.. I’m sorry… ” Her voice breaks into a sob before she can finish. My fathers voice slurs through the darkness. He’s drunk…. again. “You were going to leave me?” He screams. His hand swings across her face, before she can respond. And then. A hard thud shook the floor boards. I run down the stairs, blurry eyed, gripping the stair rails so hard my little fingers ache. “Daddy… please stop… you’re hurting mummy” I whisper shakily. “Get back upstairs” he shouts, unable to hide the annoyance in his voice. His voice reeks of alcohol. I start walking back up the stairs. Before I can get to my room, I hear it. Another thud.Then silence. Eerie silence. The kind that lets you know something bad happened. ……. I wake up choking on a scream, drenched in sweat. My entire body jerks upright struggling to breathe, and for a second I can still hear my mother’s cries. My ringtone breaks through my thoughts. Groaning softly, I force myself to breathe before grabbing my phone. The screen lights up, blinding me for a second. Eight missed calls from Chelsea and Lisa. “What the hell.. ” I mutter hoarsely, my throat dry. The phone rings again. Chelsea. Of course. I swipe to answer, before she can call again. “Oh my God, Serenity, what the hell?” “I was two seconds away from calling the police. ” Chelsea practically yells through the speaker. “It’s seven in the morning” I mumble, rubbing my eyes.“Exactly… ” Chelsea says. A second voice suddenly cuts in. “You’re alive!” Lisa screams excitedly. Unlike Chelsea’s concerning tone, Lisa brings chaotic energy. “Hi Lisa. ” I say with a tired sigh. “Serenity, you sound exhausted” Chelsea says, her voice dropping to a whisper. That whisper usually meant she was genuinely worried. “I’m fine” I automatically say. Silence. Then both of them sigh at the same time. “You always say that” . Chelsea says. I take a big breath. I know she’s right. I haven’t been fine in years. Not since my mother stopped breathing. I shove the memory away, before it can fully surface. “So” , Lisa says clearly trying to lighten the mood, “have you finally decided to stop acting like a grumpy old lady, and come on this cruise with us?” I groan instantly. “We’re still talking about this?”“Yes” , she says “because you’re avoided giving us a definite answer for the past three weeks. ’’ “I told you guys I’m busy” ,I argue. “You’re always busy Serenity” , Chelsea points out gently. “I can’t just abandon work” I mutter. Lisa scoffs loudly, week. ” “Serenity, you literally accepted four catering jobs in one “I have bills to pay. ” I say quietly. “You can’t pay bills if you’re burnt out. ” Chelsea says. Her words hit harder than they should. I have been feeling burnt out. I stare silently at the darkness in my room. “You haven’t taken a break in almost two years. ” Chelsea continues, barely leave your apartment, unless it’s for work. ” “you “That’s not true. ” I say. “It’s more than true” , Lisa says. more than us. ” “At this point your pots and pans see you A small laugh escapes me. Lisa gasps dramatically. remembers how to laugh. ” “Oh my God. Chelsea, did you hear that? She still “Haha, very funny” “I know” she laughs. Chelsea’s voice becomes quiet again. “Serenity… we’re worried about you. ”My laugh immediately died in my throat. I know that tone. I hate that tone. It screams concern. “ I’m fine, you guys don’t have to worry about me. ” I whisper. For a minute, nobody speaks. I know I don’t sound convincing. Then, Lisa suddenly blurts. “The cruise leaves tomorrow morning by the way. ” My eyes widen. A scream leaves my mouth. “Tomorrow?” “Yes, tomorrow!” Lisa shouts. exactly one night to pack. ” “Which means if you say yes now, you have “You’re actually insane, I hate you guys. ” “You know you love us. ” Lisa and Chelsea say. “I really don’t. ” Chelsea laughs lightly under her breath. I sigh. “ I can’t just go on a cruise with a bunch of rich people. ” “Why not?” Lisa asks. Because women like me don’t belong in places like that. Because I hate being perceived. But I don’t say any of that out loud.Instead, I settle for “it’s just not my thing. ” Chelsea is quiet for a second, I can tell she’s trying to choose her words carefully. “You deserve to enjoy your life too, Serenity. ” My eyes sting with tears. I don’t know what to say to that. Chelsea always knows how to get me. Then Lisa screams dramatically. “If you say no, I’m coming to kidnap you. ” “You can’t do that, I’ll run away. ” “I’m much faster than you remember. ” I say with a light laugh. Lisa screams again, her scream piercing through my ears. “Jesus.. fine I’ll come. ” “Now stop screaming, before you destroy my eardrums. ” I shout. Chelsea laughs warmly in the background. “I’m so excited, was that so hard?” “Yes” , I mutter honestly. “Pack cute dresses, and swim suits!” Lisa says, ignoring me completely. “I’m hanging up now. ” I say with a smile. “You better not back out!” They both scream. Five hours later, clothes are scattered across my room, while I stare at my reflection in the mirror. The red halter dress in my hand feels ridiculous.Too tight. Too much. I sigh quietly, before tossing it into the suitcase anyway. This whole trip already feels like a mistake. I don’t think I can do this. I grab my phone, about to text Chelsea to back out. Then I see her text. “I’m glad you said yes Serenity, here’s the ticket. ” I stare at the ticket and let out a heavy sigh. I can’t shake the feeling that things are about to change after this trip.