Forgotten

"I feel ridiculous! This dress is way to short. Next time I pick the outfits." Liara convinced me to wear a dress and heels for our outing today. I put on my new black dress. It's loose and comfortable. Then I tried every pair of heels I own. Nothing seemed right, but I settled for a grey gladiator heel. I curled my hair because a messy bun seemed to plain for the outfit. Although when they got to the artisan cafe I saw my reflection and I regret it all. Not to mention that this place only has high tables with bar stools. So my whole thigh is exposed for everyone to see. The photos I've seen of this place made me imagine it a lot different. My idea in my mind and reality is different. I thought that it would be a nice place to hang out, a comfy place with a vibrant smell of coffee and warm laughter. It's not what I got. The places decor consists of warm wood and black metal. The tables are far apart and except for the high chairs they are very uncomfortable, especially since the chair are to high for the table so you can't even place your legs properly underneath it. So we are sitting at these weird angle. We are sitting with our backs straight because there is no back support and the table is to low to lean on. Hopefully the food and coffee is good because so far the review isn't going all that well.   I had phones in advance for permission to review them, but I never tell them my name, how I look or when I'm coming. I believe in an honest review. Our drinks finally showed up. It was nicely presented. Liara opted for an ice coffee. It's not really my thing. Most places ice coffee taste to watery or they have bad aftertaste due to the syrup they use. They had scrunched up her straws cover using it as a decoration. As for me I ordered a chai latte. It doesn't contain caffeine. I've notices a lot of people asking about caffeine in my comment. Especially my readers that are pregnant or breastfeeding. I make a point of asking about their drinks that doesn't contain caffeine. My chai latte had a heart in the foam. It looked cute, but the drinks took quite some time to arrive. My drink was really hot and after ten minutes I still couldn't enjoy it so I ordered a craft ice tea, berry flavoured.   "You look cute silly. I just thought that you should look more professional." "I don't need to look professional. I just need to look like any other customer. How's your drink?" I had already taken photos of our drinks with the place name in the background. In the beginning it felt awkward to take photos of everything I drink and eat, but these days most people do it anyway. My step mother went through my phone once and asked me if it was a food diary. She continued by saying that I was a bit overweight and it's a good way to control my calories in take. She then turned around and told my father that I was bulimic. She showed him the photos and told him that I take photos and then puke it all out. She is not a fan of mine. I mean how can I be fat and anorexic. I like food there is no way that I'd waste it like that. My ice tea came and I immediately started to slurp it up. I was pretty thirsty. It was nice, the tea taste was very strong with a hint of berry. It didn't have a nice aftertaste though.   "It's really yummy. Here taste it." She pushed her cup towards me. She was right it taste good. It didn't taste like flavoured water. I just wish that the menu had a variety of flavour. Like hazelnut and vanilla. The menu is very limited. Our food finally arrived. I got a biltong and cheese toasted sandwich while she got a bacon and cheese quiche. Both were very small for the amount it is priced. Her quiche was really nice and creamy, but she had just started to enjoy it then it was finished. My sandwich was a different story. It smelled like garlic, but tastes like caramelized onions. It was an odd taste and they don't mention it in their ingredients. I opened the sandwich up to see what it was. It was jam. It was really an odd taste, one I didn't enjoy. They should disclose it to their customers, what if I was allergic to apricots. It should say biltong fried/covered in jam and cheese. I finally got to drink my chai latte. It tasted like fireballs. I honestly loved it so much.   "So what do you think?" She asked me. I wasn't sure how I will review this place.There are elements I like and more that I don't. It's a difficult call. "You don't like it. I can see it on your face. Don't be to brutal when you write it tonight. It's a new business and that saying any publicity is good is a damn lie. You have a following and they will avoid this place like a plaque." She is right.   "Let's try some more things then. Maybe some baked goods." It's better to give them a fair chance rather than just judging on a few things that just happened to not be my taste. We got some scones and a slice of cake. The thing is the baked foods are in display cases so they are most likely out sourced. That means the same products won't always be available. I was stuffed when we were finished. As a reviewer I get to eat a lot, but I try and don't eat at home when I review. I tend to review a lot because I'd rather not be home to often. When I'm at home I need to deal with my step mother. It's really not worth sticking around. I'd rather avoid her than let her think she is getting to me, but I guess by making me avoid my own home she has succeeded. I also work out three times a week. My father owns and runs multiple companies. Mostly his companies has to do with marketing and media. All this means is that the family has a tendency to be in the spotlight. My father has made it clear that I can't be fat and I cant be bulimic. Our family works for what we want. So for me it's working hard in the gym.     My mother died a while back. She was the one who took care of me. After her death I turned to my father for that love and affection but I never truly got it. He is a difficult person to keep happy. He isn't a happy person to begin with. No he is strict, stubborn and self-centered.   "The cake was really nice." She is right the cake was the winner of the day. It was a death by chocolate cake. The cake was chocolate and had choc chips in  between the inside icing is dark chocolate mouse. The outside icing is melted chocolate with crushed honeycomb mixed in and lastly it is topped with sprinkles of pecan nuts to break the sweetness. They also gave us a really big slice. I devoured it and asked for seconds which is why I'm feeling so uncomfortable now. The scones were dry and they brought us raspberry jam, they didn't ask what flavour we prefer. I honestly don't enjoy raspberry jam. For the price the scones was also really small. Especially when it is served with cream, cheese and jam. It's to much for one small scone. In the end the scone was really dry. Not dry in a good way. Good dry is when is crumbly, this was dry but chewy. Like it had been standing out for to long.   "The cake was amazing. If I wasn't so full I'd order some more." I said laughing as I took out my cars to pay for our meal. We have a deal she drives I pay. I tapped my card and then we made our way out to her car.   "Yeah it's dangerous to my health. I wanted to take the rest home with me. You are a danger to my weight. I'm not as dedicated as you are to working out. Seriously my jeans feel tighter than they should and then I still need to pig out in it. That's why I wanted us to wear dresses."   "Don't be silly you aren't putting on weight. It's not possible for you. I've never even saw your weight fluctuate even a little. You can eat whatever you want, unlike me. I need to go to the gym or else I'd gain."   "You are to skinny. It's just your toxic family that is in your head. I've told you many times that you can move in with me. My parents won't mind at all. You're step mom is terrible and such toxic behavior isn't good for the soul."   "And I've told you that I can't. My father would never allow it. I can deal with it all." "Sure you can that is why you keep running away to review." She shook her head at me. She was right, but there is nothing I can do about it. I just need to deal with it until I'm done with high school. Liara's family isn't as well of as mine, but they also aren't struggling. It's why I'd rather pay for everything. My father will never run out of money. That's also why I can't just move in with her. I don't want to be another mouth for them to feed. My father would disown me if I moved out. Liara always tell me that I need to make money with my reviews. Take on ads or something. If I thought that I could make enough money like that I would. One of the reasons that my step mother is so nasty to me is because of the money. If I could show her that I could be self efficient she might just leave me alone.    We listened to some music as she drove me home. I’m really glad that I have a friend like her. If I didn’t I would be very lonely. She just understands me. I saw my house in the distance and wished that she had driven slower somehow, but I get it, it is a weekday. We have school tomorrow. We got ready after school and then we went to the coffee shop. It’s already pretty late and we still need to do our homework. She needs to get home.   She stopped at the gate and I reluctantly got out of the car. She doesn’t drive up to the door anymore. My step mother had told the guard at the gate not to let her in. It takes so much time for us to convince the guard that we’d given up. It’s not like he doesn’t recognize her, she is here almost everyday, but he is charmed by my step mothers seductive charms. I waved to her as she drove of. I took a deep breath before turning and looking at our house. It’s a big house, too big for three people.   I miss our old house, it was homey, but my step mother though that it was to old, she wanted something more modern. She couldn’t understand why my father would live in a house like that. It’s where all our memories were. I think that is why she wanted us to move. She didn’t want us to remember my mother while she is in the picture now. The house is extremely modern. It’s a smart house that is supposedly eco friendly. The house is a grey double story with a flat roof and a lot of windows. It’s also odd shaped, very asymmetrical. With the lights on it looks warm and inviting from outside, but inside it’s cold. There is no real love in this house. It doesn’t help that the house is decorated in a minimalist vibe. Which is ironic, because my step mother is the furthest thing from a minimalist. She is a materialist. If it is expensive and shines then she must have it. She has converted one of the bedroom into a walk in closet. She honestly has way to much stuff and it never seems to be enough. I walked up the ‘to long for absolutely no reason’ drive way to the house. As soon as I walked into the door my step mother ambushed me.   “Lyssa.” I greeted her since she was blocking my path to the stairs. This is a daily thing. She can’t go one day without harassing me. It’s like it gives her pleasure. “Where have you been? Do you know how late it is?” Like she cares if I stay out. She enjoys it when I am not around.   “It’s only seven o’clock. I was out with Liara. We went to a coffee shop after school. I’ve told you that I’m reviewing coffee shops and cafes when I have time.” I have told her multiple times, but every time she still pretends like she has no clue, like I went of without informing anyone. She likes to pretend like I’m a problem child that goes out and party. She should be glad that I’m so boring. I could have been out drinking and doing drugs, but instead I’m out drinking coffee and eating cake.   "You are always out with that girl! Wait are the two of you in some sort of lesbian relationship?" I couldn't believe she actually just voiced that thought. She has no shame. She is obviously fishing for something to get me in trouble with. This is how it is always. She is honestly a rotten person. I can’t even start to comprehend what my father sees in her. It must be the black hair, blue eyes and the fact that she is 16 years younger than him and only 14 years older than me.    "It would just break your fathers heart. You know how important it is for him that you continue the lineage." Yes my father has made it perfectly clear that he wants grand children more specifically a grandson. He always bring it up when he tries to introduce me to his friends sons. It worries him that I never date. I'm in my last year of high school. I still have plenty time to date. Lyssa is also on my case about dating. She wants to get rid of me in any way- getting married or knocked up and disowned both viable options for her. That is why she reports every tiny thing I do to my father. This house is the literal situation of walking on eggshells.    "She is just my friend, but of course your head would go straight to that. You always try and look for situations where there isn't any." I was frustrated with her. Honestly no one else would jump to the conclusion of a lesbian relationships when yo just went out with a friend. Maybe it’s because I never date that she jumped to that conclusion. “How dare you accuse me of looking for a problem. I am your mother, I am only worried about you. You have been acting out lately. You stay out to all hours of the day and I never know where you are or who you are with. I only have your word. I can’t just believe you. How do I know you weren’t out with someone else? She didn’t even drop you at the door. It all seems so shady to me.” I could feel my self control slipping, I always try to not stoop to her level but seriously she was pushing my buttons.   “You aren’t worried about me. You can stop pretending it not like anyone is here to hear you. And yes you are looking for some sort of way to get me into trouble. You know about the reviews, since you found the photos on my phone. You know that Liara always drives me and the reason she didn’t drop me at the door is because you told the security to not let her in.” I honestly had enough of her for one day I just want to go upstairs take a shower and then do my homework.   “I don’t need to make something up to get you in trouble. You are overreacting, but since you are acting like a spoiled brat I won’t go easy on you. This behavior needs to end and you need to learn to respect me and my authority. Keaton!” And there she goes calling my father like she always does. I don’t know what she intends to tell him because I haven’t done anything wrong. It didn’t take long for my father to come strolling in. Always on her beck and call. “Yes what is it?” I couldn’t wait to hear this.   “Can you see what your daughter is wearing. That dress is way to short and she wore heels with it. She dressed like a slut to go and hang about in town with that good for nothing leach of a friend of hers.” To say I was shocked would be a understatement. I didn’t think she would go as far to criticize my outfit when she is hardly wearing anything.   “Allyson your dress is inappropriate. You can not go out dressed like that, you have a reputation to behold. I can’t have people thinking that my daughter is w*****g about.” These people just can’t make up their minds. I don’t date enough and I’m a prude and now I am w*****g around.   “My dress is modest! There is no cleavage and it is loose. It might be a bit short, but that’s all! Look at what she is wearing!” I argued back, dumbfounded by their behavior.   “I’m a married women, not a young single teenager that is eager for the attention of men. I have the attention of only my husband. I dress like this for him.” Like that is true. If someone richer comes along she would dump my father like he is last weeks news. She doesn’t even love him. I’m sure he doesn’t love her either she is just a trophy wife.   “Both of you are overreacting. I didn’t even do anything!” I was frustrated, why I don’t know because this isn’t something new. It’s the same scenario that I always face just with a different topic.   “That is enough! Your attitude is appalling. Go to your room. I don’t want to see you in anything like that again or I’ll ground you!” My father roared at me. I was over it so without saying anything back I marched upstairs to my room where I wanted to be all along anyway. Sending me to my room wasn’t a punishment. It was a reprieve.