Chapter 8

I continue staring at my mother in disbelief, and honestly? Disappointment. Disappointed that my mother is still acting like this. She stares at me coldly, before standing up. “Play the piano now. Let’s see if you can make a sound which isn’t terrible.”

My dad looks over at me sympathetically, but doesn’t correct my mother. After all, he knows nothing about music, whilst she’s the one trying to make me her. She was a musician, a wonderful piano player, or so I’ve heard.

But then her arthritis became unbearable, and she risked damaging herself more, so when she had a kid, she made sure to turn me into her. What she wants for me. Fucking bitch. I like playing the piano for the sense of accomplishment I get, but that doesn’t mean I’m grateful to her for forcing me to play the instrument for all this time, and for pushing me as hard as she has, just for her own gain.

“I don’t want to play the piano right now, actually. I don’t feel in the mood,” I reply calmly. My dad seems to be holding his breath, waiting to see how my mother reacts. I very rarely disobey her; and when I refuse to do something, she takes it as a personal offence.

“Mood has nothing to do with it. Play the piano now, or we can wait around until you do. It’s the weekend tomorrow, you must be busy seeing friends and working. It would be a shame if you were stuck here all day.”

My father chews his lip, anxiously glancing between us. Sighing, I give up. I’ll never win against the woman, and I might as well just play the damn instrument instead of wasting more time here. I make sure to close the door behind me, hoping that my mother won’t follow me inside.

Annoyingly, she still does. Her eyes roam over me, inspecting my posture, her gaze cool as she judges my playing. At the end of the piece, my wrists are aching again, but I ignore it, blaming the pain on the angle of the piano stool, or the fact that I haven’t practiced in a while.

Arthritis can be hereditary, and her whole side of the family has a history of the condition, but I refuse to entertain the idea of having it, and will not go to the doctor to check. The pain only gets really bad when I play the piano anyway, and just in my wrists, so it’s probably just that.

“Why have you stopped? Play it again. Play it until it doesn’t sound awful,” she commands, and I’m too tired to try and go against her. Ignoring the burning in my wrists, I play the piece again. And again. And again. Until she’s somewhat satisfied; except she’s never satisfied. In the end, my father has to interrupt us, telling us to come eat dinner.

My wrists are really fucking painful.

We eat dinner in silence, my father occasionally trying to make conversation. Eventually, he gives up. My phone vibrates silently against my leg, and I slip my phone from my pocket, under the table so my mother can’t see.

It’s a cat photo.

I keep my expression blank, although I want to smile. Beck’s clearly thinking about me, that’s nice to know. After dinner, my mother finally sets me free. I get the bus back to my dorm, and immediately climb into bed.

I hate visiting my parents. I feel bad, because my dad is fine, and he did stick up for me today, although he only tried once. Still, my mother is like a block of unfeeling ice.

Rebecca🌸: Here’s another cat. This one is mine, not a random one haha

Smiling, I actually reply to him this time.

Griffin🦅: aw cute. I’m home now tho so it’s fine

Rebecca🌸: Really? That’s good

Rebecca🌸: Unless you were enjoying yourself haha

I grimace, rubbing my still-achy wrists.

Griffin🦅: yeah no. I’m glad to be home

Rebecca🌸: Oh. Not go well?

Rebecca🌸: You don’t have to answer that if you don’t want to, sorry

Griffin🦅: it’s fine. My mum was just being tricky but it’s ok

Griffin🦅: do you get on well with your family?

Rebecca🌸: We’re pretty close, which is nice. I have two younger sisters and they’re annoying but also kind of cute haha

Griffin🦅: oh really lol

Griffin🦅: I’m an only child, kinda wish I had siblings

I actually am in two minds about siblings. On one hand, if I had a sibling, my mother might try to make them into the prodigy and leave me alone. On the other hand, then that sibling would have to go through her being a dick like she is to me.

Rebecca🌸: Really? I love having siblings haha, I couldn’t imagine life without them

Griffin🦅: aw, that’s really nice tbh

Rebecca🌸: I’m a big softie really :)

Griffin🦅: yh I’ve been getting that impression

Rebecca🌸: Do you think that’s weird?

I frown at my phone. Why would that be weird?

Griffin🦅: no?? Why would I think it’s weird

Rebecca🌸: Because of how I look

Rebecca🌸: It doesn’t fit with my personality

Griffin🦅: what so bc you’re buff you can’t also be sweet??

Griffin🦅: that’s dumb

Griffin🦅: it’s not like anyone looks like their personality anyway

Rebecca🌸: Oh. I guess that does make sense

Griffin🦅: yh ppl dress how they want and it doesn’t reflect their personality or whatever

Rebecca🌸: That’s true. Like how I do boxing, but I don’t consider myself to be a violent person, I just like the activity

Griffin🦅: yh I guess

Alright Griffin, it’s time to actually ask him the big question, I have to keep reminding myself this or I’ll chicken out.

Griffin🦅: so you free next weekend?

Griffin🦅: I’m free then for that date if you are

There. I sent it. Let’s hope he’s free, so we can actually go on this date.