Forgotten

Chapter 2

I stood in front of the mirror and looked myself over. I’m ready for school. Honestly I can’t wait to leave this house, but as for now I need to check that everything is okay with how I look. I honestly don’t need another round like last night. My socks are pulled up to just below my knees, my skirt goes to just above my knee, my white shirt is tucked in neatly and I have a tank top on underneath so that my bra can’t be seen. My blazer has no fluff, my hair is tied up neatly and I only have mascara and lipgloss on. I took a deep breath before heading down stairs for breakfast. Another reason for me not gaining weight is that I skip a lot of meals at home. I would like to skip this one, but always when I skip meals after a fight my stepmother makes it worse by saying that I was avoiding them because I know that I am guilty of what I am being accursed and that only makes things worse since my father then sets out to improve my behavior. If I came in late he sets a curfew. I wore to much make up he takes my make up away. My clothes were to slutty he orders new clothes that aren’t even the right size and so the list goes on. I made my way to the ridiculous dinning room. I don’t know why a family of three needs a table that can hold over 10 people. The breakfast has already been served, I’m late which isn’t idle. My father sits at the end of the table with his wife to his left and then my food is placed at the other end of the table. Lyssa had ordered the servant to set it up like that after one of our fights. She then told my father that I requested the change because I needed space from his smothering behavior. He had believed her and when I told him it wasn’t true he insisted that it sounded like something I would say. When I tried moving closer to him he stopped me and told me to stay at the end of the table before I get smothered. I didn’t try again. At least here I don’t need to make idle conversation. I can eat my breakfast in silence, unless Lyssa has other plans. Which I suspect she has. Last night was to easy, she probably didn’t vent enough. I sat down and started pealing my boiled egg. I’m not a fan of boiled eggs, I prefer scrambled eggs with tomato sauce. Lyssa is in charge of the menu. She makes a point of picking things I don’t like, because she wants me to complain and cause a fight. I only did it once when they served Lasagna. I can’t get myself to eat it. I just don’t like it, I’d rather not eat. That night was one of the worst fights. I was apparently being ungrateful and it played into her lie about me watching what I was eating. My father couldn’t wrap his mind around my sudden personality change, probably because I didn’t change. He blamed it on the death of my mother. I was really angry with him that day. I couldn’t believe he believed her over me. I thought he knew me. No one said anything during breakfast, I expected something from Lyssa, but I probably didn’t give her any ammunition to use. Or she is waiting for me to leave to lie about me behind my back. One thing is clear. I can’t be home this afternoon. I finished my breakfast before I quickly went back to my room to grab some clothes. Then I made my way outside where the driver was waiting to take me to school. The driver never talks to me so I put in some earphones and started searching for a new place I could review. I was looking for something more substantial than just coffee and pastry. Since I intend to skip dinner. I also need to type out my review of yesterday while it is still fresh in my mind. So I need a quiet place, not a full blown crowded restaurant. I finally found the perfect place. Pleased with my efforts I put my phone away and looked out the window for the rest of the way. The driver dropped me just outside the school parking lot. I grabbed my bag and made my way inside. This is an elite school most of the kids have their own fancy cars. Oddly enough when a driver drops you, you seem to be more prissy, you know to good to even drive yourself. I’d rather have them think I walked to school or already parked than them think I’m so spoiled that I have a driver. Just because I have one doesn’t mean that I am spoiled. In my case it means I’m not trusted to drive. I saw Liara walking into the school building so I rushed to catch up to her. She was at her locker when I finally caught up.

“Hey Lia!” I said as I stopped and fell against the lockers.

“Hey Alysson.” She greeted me back. I don’t have a nickname. It use to be lyss (liz), but after my father married Lyssa I decided that I preferred Alysson. It might be shallow, but I don’t need more reminders of her, she is already such a parasite on my life.

“So do you have any plans for this afternoon? I found this really cute quiet place to go and eat near the docks. We’ll have some good food and take in some well needed fresh air.” I told her while she was getting her books out of her locker.

“I can’t today, I’m sorry. I have that tutor coming over. You know the one that will be helping me with mock entrance essays. I know it’s really early, but my parents want me to get a head start and to perfect the technique. They are so afraid that I won’t get a scholarship, which means I can’t study at any of the major universities that will put me ahead in life.” Her family is very loving, but they also put a lot of pressure on her. They have taken out loans to put her in this school. You need to be invited to join this school if your family isn’t influential. Basically if you have money like my family you get to enrol straight from primary school, but if you can’t give a reasonable donation then you need to be invited. My father paid for the schools air conditioning. Liara had to work to get in here. She did her first year of high school in public school and managed to be top of her grade. She also needed to show school spirit and be in at least three school groups or participate in three school activities. It was a hard year for her, but she made it. Once she was invited her parents had to pay half of the years tuition to prove that they won’t have trouble to pay. The annual fees for our school is 55 000$ so her parent had to put down at least 27 500$ in order for her to start. It’s a lot for them.

“I understand. I’ll go by myself.” I do go out alone some of the times, yes I do have other friends, but it just isn’t the same. They give away that I’m a reviewer or they expect special treatment or the worst when they try to order everything on the menu and tries to force me to taste everything. They make it feel like a job whereas Liara actually makes it feel like we re only hanging out.

“Did something happen?” She asked concerned as she closed her locker and walked with me to mine.

“Yeah we had another argument last night and breakfast this morning was deadly silent which can only mean that she must be planning something.” I told her as I took out my books.

“I’ve told you, you should record her so that you have proof. Next time she is rude to you just press voice record or make a video. Then when your father comes in and she is so fake you just show him the proof.” yes she has told me this many times before, but I guess it’s just not in me to be so mean. Yes she makes my living situation awful and I would love for that to change, but also not at the expense of my fathers relationship. He is happy at the moment and if I make him see that he married a witch then I’m also the bad guy and I can’t imagine that our relationship would approve by any standards, because he would feel guilty about he treated me. When my father started dating after my mothers death he felt guilty and started to avoid me because he was afraid of what I’d think. How I wished he could have kept Lyssa a secret, but she wormed her way into him marrying her.

“No I don’t think I should do that. I am sure that karma will kick in at some point. One day my father will see just how awful she is.” I told her closing my locker. We started making our way to our first class.

“You just have to much faith in the universe. If it was me I would have put her on her place already. You and your father are blood, she is just someone that he married. Always remember you were there first.” We made it to the class and got in our assigned seats. The school doesn’t allow you to sit with your friends, because it’s a distraction. I feel it’s a fair point. Not only would I want to talk to Liara the whole period, but everyone else whispering around you would also be distracting. The day went by rather quickly and before I knew it I was in the locker rooms getting dressed. I had packed my favorite ripped black skinny jeans along with a loose green jersey and a black pair of heeled ankle boots. This is my favorite style, tight pant with oversized tops. Liara always tries to get me to dress better and I usually give in to her demands like yesterday. I walked to the corner where my driver was waiting for me. I got in and gave him the address. I usually call ahead of time and get permission to review a place, but this was more of a spur of the moment situation. I will ask them afterwards and if they have a problem with it I will just not post the review. The driver dropped me off at the parking lot where all the tourist usually park when they come here for whale watching and stuff like that. I got out and told him I would make my way back home. I started walking around until I found the restaurant. It was hidden away, there isn’t a lot of signs to advertise the place, which is to bad because it could get more clients since it is in an tourist rich location. I went inside and ordered a cooldrink. While waiting for my drink I decided on what I would like to order. I got the sea bass sashimi, tempura hake and creme brulee. I ordered everything so that I’m not constantly bothered. Then I set up my laptop and got to work. I got lost in typing and eating. I loved the place, it was dark, but had such a great atmosphere to it. It felt warm and friendly. It felt like what it felt when my mom was still alive and we had family dinners. It’s homey. I paid my bill and started walking. I’m going to take one of the tourist shuttles. Then I’ll just take a taxi home. The shuttles are done with their tours for the day, they are heading back to the stops near hotels and motels. I walked along the path looking out at the ocean. I haven’t been to the beach in a really long time. I should definitely go again sometime. It would feel great to have the warm sand in between my toes and to feel the water splash against my skin. Fresh air that is what I need. I’ll have to ask Liara if she and some of our other friends would like to go to the beach this weekend. Lost in my thoughts I bumped into someone really hard. It felt like the wind got hit out of me. I landed on my ass and had to catch myself on my elbows before I fell further and bumped my head. I looked up to see a guy standing in front of me. If it wasn’t for the scowl on his face I would have said he was quite attractive with his bluer than the sky eyes and dark curly hair.

“Can’t you watch where you are going! You made me spill my coffee all over myself!” His rudeness shattered any ounce of her attraction.

“Hey we bumped into each other, it would have taken both of us to cause this or we wouldn’t have collided. And honestly I think I got the worst of this. You got some spilled coffee on you while I’m on the ground. My bum will probably be bruised tomorrow.” the nerve of him only blaming me. He is definitely not a gentlemen. If he was he would have offered to help me up by now. I huffed as I started pushing myself up of the ground. I winced as I applied pressure on my left ankle, the downfall of falling with heels on. He must have heard because he grabbed my arm and helped me up holding me up like that. I put some pressure on my foot until it didn’t feel so bad anymore. I felt a breeze on my elbow and pulled at my jersey to see it had ripped from my landing.

“Damn I really loved this one.” I muttered more to myself than to him.

“Big deal it’s not like you can’t afford another one.” My head flashed up to his. I was frowning at him. Was he honestly judging me, he doesn’t even know me.

“What is that supposed to mean?” I asked him not impressed by him at all. He has blamed me and judged me.

“I mean you look like a spoiled little rich girl. Daddy will probably pay for a new one. He might just buy you hundreds if you ask really nice.” I was flabbergasted by what he had said. Like seriously he doesn’t even know me.

“You don’t know me! How can you just make such assumptions!” I pulled my arm out of his hold not caring about the pain that was shooting up my leg from my ankle. I turned around looking for my bag, but it was gone.

“Did you see my laptop bag?” I asked him not wanting to be in his presence any longer than I need to.

“Is it that one over there?” I looked in the direction he was pointing. It had fallen down to the lower path where tourist get on the boats, it was almost in the water. I sighed audibly, knowing I’d need to walk over there with my ankle that was hurting.

“Don’t worry princess I’ll get it I wouldn’t want you to break a nail.” He jumped down, grabbing the bag and then climbing back up on the path where I was waiting. I took the bag from him and opened it up. My laptop was clearly broken since the screen was askew on top of the keyboard.

“It’s broken.” I said feeling completely depleted at the turn of events.

“And is that my fault? You were the one daydreaming and not looking where you were going!”

“I never said it was your fault now did I? You know what I’m going to go.” I said side stepping him as I started wabbling away.

“Right now I am the bad guy. It’s fine I’ll pay for the repairs.” I really don’t want anything from him, all I want is to get away from him. He has proven to be a pompous jerk.

“No thank you. I don’t want you to pay for anything!” I said as I kept on walking, he started to follow me. I just wanted to leave and I want him to leave me alone.

“What isn’t my money good enough? Do you only use freshly steamed seamless bills?” I froze and turned to him frowning at him. He is seriously insane, where did I give him any indication that I’m that type of person. It’s not like I judged him. I looked him up and down. He is wearing a plain t-shirt that is now stained by coffee and some old jeans. My best guess it’s his work jeans. He must work here somewhere. It’s not like I’m about to judge him for working hard and call him names or make assumptions.

“Like I said it was both of our faults so I’ll pay for my own damages.”

“You mean daddy will pay.” He snapped again.

“I’m done, goodbye.” I told him as I turned and started walking away again, which is when I saw the last shuttle taking off.

“No, no, no!” I said and started, well tried to run towards the shuttle.

“What now?” He asked as he came jogging after me.

“I was supposed to be on that shuttle!” I told him feeling completely frustrated with the situation.

“Just call your driver or father to come and pick you up.” He said like it was no big deal, but it was, it was a very big deal. My house isn’t just around the corner, if I have to wait for the driver I’ll get home about an hour later than what I was planing, because it would take him about half an hour to get to me and a half an hour back. Then I’ll be late again and have a repeat of yesterday, two days in a row with Lyssa and I’m sure to get grounded.

“I guess I don’t have a choice now. This is great, just great!” I exclaimed getting my phone out of my pocket.

“It really isn’t that bad.” He told me leaning against a pole.”

“Once again you don’t know me. You don’t know if it is bad for me to get home late. You don’t know what the consequences will be. To you I’m just some spoiled rich girl throwing a bitchy fit, but in reality I came hear to get away from that. I came here to work and clear my mind and now I’ll need to go and face my stepmother and father for a second night in a row because I’m late and who knows what elses. So yeah it could be so bad!” I freaked out on him and I instantly regretted it. It had absolutely nothing to do with him. All this was my own damn fault.

“I could give you a ride.” I frowned at him, because this was the first nice thing he has said since I met him. I wanted to say no, but I also wanted to avoid another show down with Lyssa. I should really say no because I don’t even know this person, he might be a serial killer that hunts teenage tourists and murders them here down at the docks.

“I would really appreciate that.” I told him against my better judgement.

“Follow me.” Which is what I did, I followed him right to a big black motorcycle. He held out a helmet for me.

“Don’t tell me you’re scared of a bike? I guess you’re just to use to sitting in the backseat of some posh car.” I grabbed the helmet from him and he just laughed at me.