I knew you were trouble

The heavy rain was making everything less visible, the upcoming dusk wasn't helping either. The road unknown to Sia as her looked outside the window for something, anything familiar. The blurry vision making it hard but she could see the people standing under buildings for protection. She was desperately trying to find anything at all to like about this place that was going to be her home from now on. She wanted this to work. To be close to her mom again, after so long. Transferring to the University of Illinois was pretty important to Sia as her mother lived in Woodstock, only an hour away from Chicago. As the car stopped in front of a 3 story house Sia almost didn't want to go in. The house was more like a mansion, the huge window giving nothing away about what was inside. She was scared to go in. She was scared that her mom won't be how she remembered, that she forgot about her, that she didn't love her anymore. Mastering up enough strength Sia rings the bell. Not long after the door open by a small figure, the little girl around 7, with a big smile on her face greets her. She looks at her for about 5 seconds straight with look of wonder then turn around shouting "Mommy, the princess is here!" Feeling amused by the encounter Sia follows the girl inside only to be pulled into a bone crushing hug by her mother. "My baby! I've missed you so much.." as she say, her tears are visible. Sia sighed in relief and the love she so desperately wanted for so long was finally touching her. "I missed you too, mom" saying they pulled back. As Amanda looks at her daughter she is amazed by how beautiful and grown-up she became in the last 8 years. "you look so beautiful, honey. Just like a.." "PRINCESS!" an over excited voice interrupted. Looking at the small figure Amanda said "Yes Anna, just like a princess. Now come her and properly introduce yourself to your sister." With a shy smile she extands her hand to Sia, who was more than happy to know her. After the introductions were over Anna showed Sia to a room, where she freshen up and went downstairs for dinner. The dinning room had giant windows overlooking the crystal lake. As she was looking the beautiful scene a male voice startled her, "You must be Alexia". Sia looked the man standing in front of her, nearly 6 feet in height, dark eyes, blonde hair, she could see how much Anna looked like him. "yes, I am. But call me Sia. It's nice to meet you again, James" James Stephens was her mother's husband. Looking at him now Sia can see why her mother choose him over her. He had everything to give her, she didn't. Trying not to think such things, Sia goes towards the table her mom was setting up with foods, mostly her favorites. "You remembered?" she was genuinely surprised her mom remembered things about her. " Of course I do. I'm your mom" Amanda tried to make it sound light-hearted but she knew why Sia felt she would forget. placing a hand on her shoulder she said "I know it's hard to believe that I love you a lot, but I do honey. More than I could express, and I'm sorry for that." The dinner was pretty uneventful, they talked, tried to know each other. Sia found that James wasn't so bad, she was happy for her mom. That night as was Sia laying on the bed she felt that everything she knew about life was about to change forever as she has to start new college in a week.Around 11 pm there was knock on the door. It was her mom. As she came into the room and sat on the bed she said “I feel like we haven’t talked nearly enough. Honey, are you happy? I know how hard it is to come to a new place to live. you’ll be going to college just when I got you back after so many years.” Sia knew what she meant. They have been apart for nearly 8 years. When her mom left everything about life changed for Sia. She knew her mom felt responsible for what happened to her, for leaving her behind. At the back of her mind she knows that sometimes she too thought that if her mom stayed things would have been different. But there is nothing that can be done anymore. She asked “why didn’t you fight enough for me, mom?” With a heavy sigh Amanda said, “I tried my best, baby girl. But your father was a powerful man. Going against him was the hardest thing we did. But your father, he was never going to let me take you. He used his power and even, my relation with James against me, making it look like an infidelity. We fought so much in the past but I never thought he will take you away like that. I’m so sorry.” “It’s ok, mom. I’m glad you two separated. You would always fight and it wasn’t so fun to see. And I’m also glad that you found James. He seems to be a nice person.” She meant it too. James did seem like a nice and caring person. She just wished she could be with her mom in the past. After the heavy atmosphere was over, they talked about lighter subjects. “So, are you excited to start new college?” Amanda asked. “Yes, I am. I like to meet new people. I hope I can make lots of new friends. I’m gonna miss my friends back in LA.” Sia was a friendly person, always with her friends. That’s probably the only thing made her sad about coming to Chicago, that and the sunny weather. “I’m sure you will make a lot of friends. You rest now, honey. I’m sure you are tired a lot. I’ll make your favorite breakfast tomorrow. Love you, baby.” Her mom said as she got off the bed and went to the door. Sia wanted to say ‘I love you’ back but she was already gone. The next few days went pretty fast as Sia got to her new family. Anna was like a shadow of hers, always following her around, asking weird things. She stilled believed Sia to be a princess. The week was over soon enough. The next day was her first day at university. She was sure she will miss them, even James. She just hoped this new family life will not be harmed by her troubled past…..