WANTING YOU

Mad Mama

Astrid's POV

Mother was furious. After bidding Keri and her parents a goodnight greeting, she ushered into the car with her.

"Mom, I can explain," I attempted to deescalate the tension you could have cut with a knife right down the middle.

"Don't! Don't even try!" she shouted at me. She started the car and drove us homeward in silence. Nothing to hear but the motion of the car and others around us.

Mom practically shoved me into the house when we arrived there. She slammed the door behind her and turned to face me with an expression I've never seen from her before.

"Astrid Anika Beltown!"

"Full government."

"Just what the hell were you thinking lying to me and having me look like a fool in front of the Lees...like I don't know my own daughter and about her whereabouts!" mom angrily asked.

"I'm sorry," I apologized.

"No. That's not going to cut it. You need to explain yourself right this minute. Where were you tonight?"

"With some classmates," I answered.

"Where?"

"At a party."

"And what possessed your brain cells to make you think you can go to a party without letting me know about it?"

"It was after the game..."

"What game?"

"The football game," I answered her. Mom looked at me as realization hit her.

"What are you wearing?"

"My cheerleading uniform."

"You're a cheerleader?"

"Yes."

"Since when?"

"A couple of weeks ago. Keri and I tried out for the team and we made the cut," I explained.

"No. Astrid, no. That is too much for you to handle at this point in time. You're now a cheerleader, a senior who needs an academic scholarship to college, and an employee."

"And I've been juggling this just fine."

"Then why did I receive a phone call from Mr. London stating that you've failed an assignment because you didn't even make an effort to start? He was asking if everything was okay at home because that was unlike you, Astrid. You've never failed an assignment in your life!"

"And I'm aware of that. I've asked him to make it up but he wouldn't let me."

"You're to quit that cheerleading squad."

"Mom, I can't."

"Oh yes you can and you would do just that."

"I cannot. If I quit, Keri would get kicked off the team too and she doesn't deserve that."

"That's another thing. You don't need to be influenced by Keri. She could have barely walked though her parents' front door and the aroma around her was that of pure alcohol."

"Mom, Keri and I have been friends since preschool. She's my longest and only friend."

"She has changed and she's trying to change you along with her but I'll be damned to see you go down that path."

"With all due respect..."

"Astrid, if you say something disrespectful, you'll see the other side of me and trust me, you do not want to see that other side."

I rocked with fear for a bit. Mom wasn't having any nonsense from me. I steeled myself and found my voice again.

"With all due respect, you don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, so I've never been a teenager? Let me see if I can paint a perfect picture, and you feel free to tell me where I've messed up afterwards, okay?"

"Fine."

"Mmmh. You've been picked on by the popular kids, more so you than Keri because she can easily fit in with the bunch. You've held your head down in the books and your classes but your head is held up now because of a guy. The guy. You're pushed to leave your shell, your comfort zone, and to try something new, hence the cheerleading uniform. He notices you, gives you those shallow compliments but it wouldn't get past that because he's drawn to the most popular girl. You see, popularity goes hand-in-hand. It's a status everyone wants, including you. Now, tell me I'm lying."

"I didn't join because of a guy. I joined for my friend."

"Keep telling yourself that. I can also assume he's on the football team, right?"

I was speechless. Mom shook her head at me in a manner of disappointment before she walked away and left me to myself feeling like the liar I was becoming.

I hated the way things unfolded. Mom was also my best friend and someone I looked up to. I punched the air and went to my bedroom, changed out of my uniform, took a warm shower and then crawled into bed. Sleep came instantly.

The next morning, I woke up to silence. Mom had prepared breakfast but left without waking me. Indeed, she was still mad and I had no idea how to soothe things over with her.

Shortly after breakfast, a knock came to the front door. I approached and opened. Keri staggered in with bags underneath her eyes, looking a hot mess and was still in her cheerleading uniform.

"Oh my goodness, Keri, are you okay?" I asked. Of course she wasn't okay.

"Nooo," she said in a crying voice.

"What.. what happened.. why aren't you at home?" I asked another question.

"Because of my parents. They don't want me at the house anymore," she answered and the tears spilled from her eyes.

"They kicked you out, is that what you're saying?"

"More like they let me leave."

"I'm sorry."

"I've never seen mom and dad teamed up against me like that. They were so angry and annoyed that I couldn't take it anymore. I got into my car and drove to the park and I slept the night there."

"You drove drunk?" I asked in disbelief.

"I didn't have a choice. It was either that or listen to my parents belittle me."

"Keri, that's crazy. You could have gotten hurt or met in an accident, God forbid. You don't do something like that."

"I came to you as a shoulder to lean on. I really don't need to hear you nagging as well."

"Okay. Okay, fine. Umm, you can use my bathroom to get freshened up. I have clothes in my closet you can borrow and food in the fridge you can eat."

"Wait... you're leaving?"

"I have the morning shift at the pallor. Stop by once you're done here. Do not wait until my mom gets home at half-day. She's still mad and right now, she's seeing you as a bad influence," I expressed.

"Right," Keri said.

"Hey, you're my bestie and I'm not going to stop being your friend. Come hell, high-water.. even parents."

We shared a laugh and I left for work.

Upon arrival at the ice-cream pallor, I greeted Sunshine and took my place at the tubs. It was 9:00 am and the first person through the door as a customer was Annalise. I gulped.

"You and I have to talk," she insisted to me.

Sunshine arched an eyebrow at me as I approached Annalise. She and I walked away from Sunshine's earshot.

"What's up?" I questioned.

"Seeing you, it's almost laughable that I'm standing here, trying to come to terms with all of this."

"All of what exactly?"

"Don't play dumb with me. The only thing saving you right now is that you're my cheerleader."

"I don't know what you're talking about, Annalise."

"Just what the actual hell is happening between you and Trent?"