When I met you

The Farce

Akermisia Miller

I’m late. I have a super important class, and I live on the other side of this damn campus. I grab my purse from where it’s been tossed onto my bed while searching for my sneakers, then rush toward the dorm room door, ready to fly out of it. But the moment I open it, I find Coleman standing right in front of me.

— Akermísia Miller. — His charming smile spreads across his face.

— Lívia isn’t here. — I answer without hesitation. — She went to get breakfast, but I have class right now and don’t have time to waste on playboys. So, bye.

— That hurts. Adam may be an asshole, but that doesn’t necessarily have to extend to me.

I roll my eyes and slam the door behind me, but he doesn’t give up and follows me down the hallway.

— Give this to her. — He places Lívia’s charger in my hands.

Thank God. We had argued over sharing mine last night. Lívia must have forgotten it with him on Sunday morning.

— Why don’t you give it to her yourself?

— Lívia and I were a weekend adventure. We agreed to go our separate ways. I’m not ready for relationships, and neither is she. It was good not seeing her. Better this way.

— How mature of you both.

Honestly, Liv didn’t seem hurt or anything. They had talked and decided it was just casual s*x and that it was over. I wished Adam had given me that kind of clarity. It would have spared me the small amount of feelings I’d allowed myself to have after we slept together. How did people simply hook up and feel nothing?

I wasn’t that kind of girl. Although I wished I were. After accidentally reading the messages from those girls on his lock screen, reality came crashing down on me. Adam Melchior wasn’t genuinely interested in me. Everything he’d done had been to get what he wanted. And he got it. I was just another hookup. I’ve had casual flings before, but at this point in my life, I was tired of shallow relationships and Adam was the very definition of shallow.

— See you around, Akermísia. Take care.

— Bye, Léo.

I understood why Liv liked him. The guy was nice.

✶

It’s Thursday afternoon, and I’m buried under books in the library while working on an assignment on my laptop. I’m not exactly excited when I receive a message from my mother.

“Hi, sweetheart. I’ll be in town tomorrow. I have some business to take care of. What do you think about having lunch together at twelve? I won’t take no for an answer. I have news. Kisses.”

As soon as I read it, I realize the notification sounds more like an order than a request, but that’s not much different from what I’m used to. Eliana was never an example of a loving, exemplary mother, and things hadn’t improved much after her move to London. Still, she tried. Which meant I should make an effort too.

On Friday morning, I attend my classes and then rush back to the dorm, hoping to find something decent to wear.

— Akê, why are you so worried? It’s just your mom.

— Exactly. — I give up on the jeans. — My mother is perfect. You have no idea how hard it is to meet her expectations. Nothing I do is ever enough. And now I’m practically alone in Austin, with my dad always traveling. I want to prove to her that I’m doing fine and that I can take care of myself.

— Well, it’s going to take more than an outfit to convince her of that. — Liv laughs.

— Hey! You’re supposed to be helping me, Lívia Teresa.

— Sorry. — My best friend raises her hands in surrender. — You should wear the burgundy skirt with the matching blazer. You look adorable in it. Your mom will definitely like it.

— Good idea. — I answer while searching for the outfit. — And you? How are your classes going? We didn’t have any together today.

— Fine. I’m feeling kind of unmotivated. I think I’ll take the afternoon off to eat junk food and read my little books…

— You mean keep yourself busy enough to forget the s*x with Léo.

— Low blow. He was my first. Of course it was memorable. — she admits reluctantly.

— You told him you were a virgin and that it should be special to you?

— I had to tell him because he would’ve figured it out, not because it would’ve made a difference. Either way, it wasn’t going to be special to him.

— Liv…

— It was a weekend thing. That guy had his heart ripped out by his ex. I doubt there’s anything left for a girl like me.

— Don’t talk about yourself like that. You’re incredible, and you deserve someone who treats you like the goddess you are. Trust me, your Prince Charming is out there waiting for you. Let’s just hope he doesn’t play football…

— And God help me if he’s a quarterback. — Liv grimaces.

— Sometimes, Akermísia, you’re actually a great friend.

— Hey! — I try to sound offended, but the act doesn’t last long.

Soon Liv is helping me with my makeup while we chat and catch up on gossip. My family was a mess. But that was okay, because I had Liv.

I arrive at the downtown restaurant at noon, but to my surprise, my mother is already seated at the table, staring at her wristwatch. From afar, she seems isolated in her own world, untouchable. Her dark hair falls perfectly to her shoulders, and she’s dressed in an elegant off-white outfit with gold accessories.

— You got here early?

She stands and hugs me out of habit.

— Actually, you’re the one who arrived just in time. — Her hands slide down my shoulders as she openly evaluates me. — Rosa did mention you were getting thin…

— You talked to Rosa?

— I did. Do you have any idea how disappointed I was by her lack of consideration? — Eliana sits down, and I follow suit. — She threw away years of excellent work just to leave America? Give it a few months before she’s begging for her job back.

— Well, technically she’ll still be in America, just not North America.

My mother raises her eyes.

— Come on, her parents are sick! — I say, trying to show her how ridiculous and selfish her outrage is. — You know, for most people, family comes first.

She gives me a deadly, reprimanding look but says nothing.

Instead, she lowers her eyes to the menu and pretends I didn’t just throw a jab in her lap.

Our table sits near a glass window overlooking the shops and streets across the road.

— How’s university going? — she asks after we place our orders.

— Fine.

I don’t elaborate because she wouldn’t care anyway.

— And London?

My mother’s eyebrows lift excitedly, as if I’ve finally given her the opening she’d been waiting for.

— Wonderful. It’s so beautiful there. You’d love it. There are so many opportunities for your career, and I have a lovely apartment in a quiet residential area. — She pauses and impulsively extends her left hand. — And more importantly, I’m getting married!

I nearly choke on my wine.

Eyes wide, I lower the glass and try to recover.

— What??

Getting married?

Where had she come up with such an absurd idea?

Worse, what lunatic had proposed?

— He’s wonderful to me. Not like your i***t father. — Eliana admires the enormous diamond on her finger. — He treats me properly, does everything for me, and prioritizes me. Your father never prioritized me… or our family. Just look at what he’s done to you. He’s always traveling and barely remembers his daughter is alone.

— Is this conversation about my father now? — I cut her off.

I wasn’t interested in discussing their failed marriage.

I was tired of it.

Every time I met one of them, I had to listen to complaints about the other.

— It’s about you, Akermísia.

There it was.

— I’m worried. You’re alone here. Before, you had Rosa, but now? Your father is irresponsible, and your life isn’t stable in this place. You’re surrounded by parties and alcohol at that university…

— Mom, I’m fine. — I insist.

She ignores me.

— You should come live with me. You could transfer universities. It would be wonderful, sweetheart.

Move to London?

Had she lost her mind?

I liked Austin. I liked my life, my independence, and being miles away from the discomfort that came with living with my mother.

— I’m not moving. I’m already in my third year.

— Honestly, it’s obvious you’re not doing well on your own. Who takes care of you? Worse, what kind of bright and stable future can you possibly build?

— I take care of myself.

— Please, Akermísia. Let’s be honest. You don’t have that kind of capability.

I’m too shocked to say anything. I press my hands to my forehead and try to ignore the fact that this is really happening. I was exhausted from dealing with my mother and father, their conflicts, their drama, and their complete lack of faith in me. I swallow hard when someone calls me out of my bubble.

— Ísia?

Adam smiles.

What???

I look up and say a silent prayer for patience. Melchior looks ridiculously handsome in a white shirt and black pants. His golden hair is still damp, and his scent.

— Adam? — is all I manage to say amid the chaos. He flashes that beautiful, arrogant smile and finally seems to realize I’m with someone.

— Nice to meet you. Adam Melchior. — He extends his hand to my mother.

The moment she hears his last name, she nearly jumps out of her chair. Her smile grows so wide it embarrasses me. If Adam notices her obvious interest, he doesn’t show it.

— Eliana. — She beams. — Are you two dating?

I immediately turn toward her. Where was my mother getting these ideas from?

I fight back a laugh at the absurdity of it. Adam, however, maintains perfect composure.

— Why didn’t you tell me sooner, Ísia? — She deliberately uses the nickname because only she and Rosa know it.

Well, now Adam knew it too and she connects the dots instantly.

— This is perfect. And here I was talking about how unsupported you are. But a Melchior? I’m so proud.

Proud. The word pierces my chest like a knife. My mother rarely said it. So rarely that I could count on one hand the number of times she’d ever spoken it aloud. The disappointment that would come from revealing Adam wasn’t my boyfriend was already dancing in her eyes.

Two seconds later, I have no idea what possessed me to do something so insane.

— Surprise!! — I stand and grab Adam’s hand.

— Please. — I whisper discreetly.

His eyes are unreadable. I have no idea what he’ll do, and for a moment, I regret dragging someone like him into this madness.

— Ísia told me you’d be in town, and I thought, how could I miss this opportunity? — Melchior wraps an arm around my waist while I try to free myself without my mother noticing. — I’m so in love. — The i***t looks directly at me, and I instantly realize this favor will have a price later. — What do you think about having dinner with us tonight? At my house.

— What? No. — My mother stares at me. — I mean, my mother probably has plans, honey…

— Actually, I don’t.

— Great. Then tonight at my house.