“Hey hun. wake up!” Tracy cooed. (Fun fact: I know that word from the Sims 4)

Ughhhh. Mom.

I groan and stretch to try and wake my body up.

“Yes, mom?” I ask noticeably irritated but she ignores my tone.

Tracy leans down and whispers in my ear.

“If you ruin this for me, you better be ready to sleep on the street.” She says in a dark tone.

She leans back up, puts on a fake smile, and says “Good morning, sleepyhead. Let’s get ready and have breakfast with my new friend!”

I roll my eyes and go along with it.

“Of course mom I’ll be out in a minute!”

[SKIP TO COFFEE SHOP]

“I’ll have a caramel macchiato,”

She turns to look at us.

“What about you guys?” Tracy’s friend asks.

My mother looks up at the waiter and her friend, “Uhm..just black coffee.” She replies then looks back down.

The waiter speaks up, “What about you young man?” She asks sweetly.

“An espresso, please.” I reply with a fake smile.

Today is gonna be an exhausting day.

“So this is my son Aaron.” Mom perks up, “Aaron meet Jade.”

Jade beams and says, “Nice to meet you Aaron. I’m Jade, your mother’s new boss at Bryer Corporations.” She brings out her hand towards me.

WAIT, HOLD UP. WHEN DID MOM GET A JOB AT THE BIGGEST COMPANY IN THE STATE?!

I look at my mom shocked and she glares at me.

“Oh wow, Bryer Corp. huh?” I say hesitantly then shake her hand.

“Tracy didn’t tell you?” She asks questioningly.

In a desperate attempt I say “Oh, she just been so busy lately at her old job we haven’t had much time to talk.” I chuckle afterwards to make the lie seem more realistic.

Out of nowhere someone walks in the shop.

“Aaron?” someone asks.

I look behind me and see Evan.

My mom gives a mean look and says “Who’s this Aaron?” With a fake ass smile.

‘You ain’t fooling nobody with that Tracy!’

“Oh it’s a friend from school. I’ll be right back.” I reply.

I get up and find myself in a tight hug.

“I didn’t think I’d see you this early!” He says excited.

I pull him outside and tell him everything.

How my mom has treated me, the adopted thing, the encounter with my dad. Everything.

“Damn, your mom’s cold.” He says and places his hand on my shoulder.

I feel something in my stomach but, I ignore it.

“Yeah, that’s why you need to leave now!” I say in a panicky tone.

He grabs my hand. “It’ll be alright Aaron. I got this.” He says and goes back inside.

‘Goddammit why does no one ever listen to me?’

I walk back inside and sit back down.

Evan goes up and orders an espresso as well.

We are more alike than I realized.

“So uh..why were you gone for so long?” Jade asks.

She looks a bit concerned so I smile to stop her from worrying.

“Just had to catch up for a bit.” I reply calmly.

She’s kinda nosy but ehhh…

“Well your mother and I were just discussing your housing situation.” She continues.

Mom wtf?

She glares again and I have to say something.

“Cool?” I say awkwardly.

I look back at Evan and he’s walking towards our table.

Oh shit..lord save me.