Mom’s hugs are always the best. Ever since I was young, she’d known how to embrace me tightly enough to ease all of my worries, yet not too roughly to make it feel suffocating. Her signature perfume fills my nose, and I struggle to pull away from her. It’s been a while since I’ve seen her and Dad, and now that they’re finally here, I can’t stop myself from feeling like I’m six years old again.
Reluctantly, I pull away from Mom, a smile on my face. Her face mirrors mine physically. We have the same high cheekbones, the same shade of green eyes, and the same birthmark right below our left eye. It’s a small, brown dot that I always adored. It’s one of the things that makes me similar to mom, and the things that make me stand out a little.
“I’ve missed you.”
“My sweet girl,” Mom cups my cheeks. “I’ve missed you more.”
A frown tugs on her lips when she sees mine. The cut where Soren bit me is on the inside, but my bottom lip is swollen, andunfortunately, it’s bruised. The deep shade of blue isn’t something I can hide easily, and no amount of lipliner and concealer was able to cover it fully.
“What the hell happened?”
Worry fills mom’s voice, her brows narrowing. She yanks my face forward, inspecting every inch of my face. It’s not like I can tell her that the bastard bit me and is currently plotting my demise. Instead, I sigh and lie through my teeth.
“Nothing,” I chuckle. “I fell face-first and well… bit my lip on the inside.”
“You lie as well as your father.”
“So, I’m a terrible liar.”
“Pretty much,” she snorts, letting go of my face and taking my hand in hers. “But I won’t press too much. I was your age once, I know exactly what you’re up to, young lady,” she winks, and I roll my eyes.
“I’m not a hormonal teenager.”
“No, but you’re a woman, and you’re in your best years. You should definitely be taking advantage of that. As long as you don’t get pregnant this early in your life, it’s all right.”
Mom sits on the bench outside, and I follow suit. It’s cold outside, but the coat I’m wearing is thick, and the coldness is only on my face. I have a pair of silk gloves on my hands, in a pale shade of pink, matching the scarf, my bag, and shoes.
“How did it go?”
The question hangs in the air between us. The reason Mom and Dad came to Saint Valley Academy was because of the board meeting that was going to decide my fate. There’s no way I’d be able to avoid suspension, but as long as I’m not expelled, I’ll take anything.
Mom takes my hand in hers, giving it a firm squeeze. “It washell. The Fords wanted you expelled.”
A scoff comes from me. “Of course, they did.”
“It didn’t happen,” she smiles. “As if I’d ever let the bastards get you expelled. But you are suspended.”
“What happened to the innocent until proven guilty?”
Mom rolls her eyes. “Think of it as a little break from school.”
“Break wasn’t on my schedule,” I whine. “And what about my exam scores?”
“You’ll retake them right after New Year’s. January fifth. I know it’s during the break, but—”
“It’s okay,” I interrupt. “I mean, I’m a little pissed that my holidays are ruined, but I’ll live. This is more important.”
“Good. Now, I need you home the day before Christmas. Your father and I will be hosting a small get-together.”
Immediately, I wince, and Mom gives me a pointed look.
Their idea of a small get-together is a list that’s never below a hundred guests, in the venue they built specifically for these events. They love hosting because it’s a great opportunity to network, and find clients. And another discreet fuck you to the Fords, since they never receive an invite.
“Fine,” I sigh, relenting, because knowing my mother, she never would’ve let go until I agreed to come. “Is that the only party?”
“That we are hosting, yes. We’ve been invited to a charity ball for New Year’s, though. I RSVP’d yes for you, too.”
“Now, why would you do that?”
