In Search of Solace

"You know, Aubrie, I've noticed that some of your grades have dropped. I mean, this is your last year at this school. Shouldn't you make an effort to improve your grades so you can apply to college? You know about your future." said my perfect advisor. I nodded and just looked at my lap as I let him say the things he wanted to say. So, having straight 'A's isn't smart, I guess. Oh, I can't wait to get home. A sigh escaped from me when I thought of the word 'home.' Do I even have a home? Well, we have a house—a mansion to be exact—but 'someone' to call it home? Unfortunately, I don't have that. "Just leave now; I don't want to waste my time on you. Be thankful your mother is one of the shareholders of this school, or else I would have already persuaded the head to expel you." I heard him say, catching my attention. I stood up and left their office. As I walked towards my locker, I remembered that I left my bag back in the office, so I went back to get it. "Yes, Mrs. Miller, your daughter has been quite an excellent student, but lately, I think she's been distracted by something. I suggest that you ask what's bothering her. I'm worried about her." I heard my teacher say on his phone. What a liar. After the call was over, I was about to knock when my teacher started laughing at him. "Aubrie isn’t even that smart, what a waste of time." He said. That made me numb. I opened the door, which surprised him, then took my bag and left without a word. On my way out of that school, the rain started to fall, and it irritated me. Why does it have to rain? Of all the times earlier, why now? This is so cliché. I kicked the pebble near me as I started to walk. Well, Mom didn't even give me a car because she said it's not necessary for me. Yeah, my mom is rich and classy, alright, but the way she treats me is making me feel miserable and poor. She would just throw me a thick stack of money on the table and ignore me. What am I? A beggar? A desperate girl who only wants money from her? I'm her child, for Pete's sake. Sometimes it makes me sick when I hear her enter our house with a man in the middle of the night. What are you? In your 20s? For God's sake! You're already 40! We just lost my father last month, and this is all he gets from his wife? My mom got pregnant when she was 19, because of her careless tactics. Then my father, who died, stayed with her even though he's not my real father. He gave my mom what he thought she deserved, but that woman just took advantage of him. My dad was a famous business person, and my mom was just attending university. They met when Mom was having a blast at a bar, where my father was having a meeting in the VIP section on the second floor. My dad saw how my mom was getting harassed by men. Well, that's what he thought, but in reality, my mom was enjoying the attention she was getting from random guys. So, Dad, being the heroic guy, 'saved' Mom, and my mom didn't stop him because she knew Dad was filthy rich, and they ended up with each other. When my dad found out my mom was pregnant, he was happy but disappointed at the same time. Well, who wouldn't be? He was not the father, but he accepted it and loved me like I'm his real daughter. I remember it clearly when I was 13; my mom went on a trip with her friends, and I saw how broken Dad was. He confessed to me that he was not my real dad, but he loved me so much and was willing to do anything for me. I was not a bright kid; I was never one. I kept messing up, I was clumsy and slow, but my dad told me that it's fine as long as I'm happy. When I was 15, Dad told me that he would leave me half of his ownership in his company and the other things he owned, like land, money, and jewelry, once I turned 18. So, he told me to sign a contract. I think my mom knew about this and persuaded Dad that I didn't need it, but Dad still insisted on it. "You'll have yours, and she'll have hers. End of conversation." I remember my dad saying that, making my mom mad at me. And now it's been 2 years. A couple of months, and I'll be getting that share. As I let myself get wet, I just smiled and looked at the ground. “I just can't wait to die.” Morning came, and it was the usual routine. Going to school, teachers embarrass me in class, eating lunch by myself, and staying away from the crowds, and going home, walking. Yeah, what a nice life I have. That day was our last day of the semester. So, I was quite excited to end this day and spend the Christmas holidays. Don't worry; I have a couple of friends; Lucas and Julianne. The only problem is, they are at a different university. But it's okay; we hang out sometimes when the three of us have a vacant. So yeah, I don't socialize that much. I hate attention; it makes me want to puke. And no, I'm not a nerd. I'm just a reserved person. I'm kind of shy to admit it, but I'm the muse here in our department. I don't get people; I'm not that pretty. When events are being held, and parades are being done, my only part is to stand there smiling at the crowds and just stay pretty. It looks easy, but damn, not. My classmates have urged me to participate in beauty pageants, but I declined, feeling disheartened by others' opinions that I lack intelligence. Despite my efforts, I wish they had more faith in me. My day has gone smoothly, and I am currently lying on my bed, enjoying some animated content on my laptop. Suddenly, I heard a notification sound on my phone and checked it to find a message from our group chat. “So, anyone up for a sleepover?” I smiled as I read his message. Well, I'm okay with it because it's Friday. So, I chatted with him that I'm in. A message popped up, and it read, ‘Lucas is face-timing' in the group chat, so I answered it. "Hey!" Lucas screamed as soon as we saw each other's faces. I smiled and said 'hi.' "Julianne isn’t answering; maybe she's busy," I said as I tried to call her again. "Oh, about that, she's currently having a serious problem right now," Lucas said, making me worried. "What happened?" I asked, kind of scared to know. "She's having a hard time picking what food to order for our sleepover," she said, making me laugh. "So, it's settled then; I'll pick you up right after this call," Lucas said, and I nodded. We ended the call, and I closed my laptop. I fixed myself and went out of my room. I saw my mom in the living room, drinking wine. I sighed and just walked past her. "Where are you going at this time of the night?" She asked as she sipped her wine. "Sleepover at the Johnsons'," I answered politely as I sat opposite her. She sighed and poured another glass and handed it to me. "Here, have some," Mom said as I accepted it. "Lucas invited me to their house," I briefly explained, and she just gave me a sad smile. She told me to wait, then she took out her phone and called someone. I patiently waited, looking at my fingers, playing with them too. "I'm going to be on a business trip next month. I think we will be going to Canada," Mom said as soon as she finished calling someone, making me roll my eyes mentally. "That's far," I just said. "Do you want anything from there?" Mom asked. I shook my head and took a sip of wine. "Okay then. Oh, by the way, your teacher, Mr. Brown said you're somewhat distracted," she said, opening that stupid topic. "He also mentioned that your grades have gotten lower." Mom added as she crossed her legs. "I didn't know an 'A+' was considered a low grade," I said, annoyingly, as I rolled my eyes. What's that reaction? "Look, we both know we hate each other, but hearing that from a stupid teacher who only knows how to call me and ask for favors makes my head boil," she added. I didn't know Mom cared for me. "That dickhead wants money; that's why he kept pestering you, so that he has something to tell me," she continued, making me irritated. That teacher kept blabbering lies. I heard a honk outside, making me place my glass on the table as I checked my phone. "Go now, have fun," she said, making me look at her. This is the first time we had a normal conversation, and it made me a little bit happy. I nodded and stood up, then went to the door. I was about to say 'bye,' but she spoke first. "Don't worry; that man is fired now," she said, and stood up and walked to the stairs. She called a maid and told her to lock the door. "Ah, yes. Thanks," in a soft tone, I uttered my words, although I suspected my mother still managed to hear them. She lifted her hand towards me before making her way upstairs. Although no smiles were exchanged, I could sense the genuineness in her words and actions. I acknowledged our maid with a nod and proceeded to leave our estate. As I made my way outside, I noticed Lucas sitting in their vehicle, sporting a smirk on his face. "Wow, you got another new car? Even though your family owns, like what? 5 cars already?" I asked, unamused, as I went inside the car. "Why do you have to ask that when you already know my family owns a car company?" He said, still grinning. I saw his dad in the driver’s seat. "Oh. Good evening, uncle," I said and leaned on my back. "Good evening, dear. Are you two ready?" he asked as he looked in the mirror, smiling. Lucas excitedly said that we’re ready, but his dad mustn’t have heard him. "Yes, uncle, we’re all set," I just said, making uncle turn around to my side. He smiled and started the engine. Lucas was talking throughout the ride as I listened to him while smiling. From time to time, I noticed his father glancing at me. I smiled when our eyes met, then he smiled back at me. "I don't get why our parents were rivals back then, but it all changed when we became friends," Lucas said, and looked at the streets. "Well, your father wouldn't allow my dad to buy your dad’s car dealership; well, that's what my dad said," I answered and went quiet after mentioning my dad. "Hey, I’m sorry,” he said, making me look at him. "You don't want Jul to see that frown; you know how she worries," he said, making me sigh. He was right; if Julianne saw one of us frowning, she immediately got worried even about small things. That's how she cared.