Muddled

It was twilight. Beautiful colors were dispersed over the horizon and Texas was bathed in an orange glow.

Lucy Holland walked into her room. She picked up her phone from its charging station, it had just beeped.

She knew what it was, it was the mail she had been waiting for.

She breathed unevenly as she browsed her mailbox. The new mail propped open and she scanned through thoroughly.

A shallow grunt escaped her gritted teeth whilst her gaze remained glued to the content of the mail.

It was the result of the examination she did the previous day. She failed again.

"Mum would definitely kill me this time," she muttered and paced around her room angrily.

All she could think of was her brother. He was the only one who could pacify their mother; Lauren.

"I must see Brian right away," Lucy yelled angrily to herself.

She peeped through the key hole to ascertain that Lauren wasn't in sight. When the coast was clear, she stole out of the house.

She made her way through the litters of leaves that carpeted the street. She secured her muffler around her neck to brace herself from the sizzling cold as autumn had just ended.

Myriads of thoughts flooded her thoughts. She wished her mother would stop her delusion and realize she wasn't cut for the lab. She loved art. The acting stage was her stuff but her mother won't let her have what she wanted.

Despite her inclinations, she wanted to fulfill her mother's sentiments. It was the only way she could pay back her long years of labor. She had been their caregiver since their father's demise.

She shivered as remembered her poor results again. She knew that the conflict of interest wasn't enough reason to justify her woeful performance.

Brian sighted Lucy as she rounded up the corner that led to the store where he worked.

He knew she was out of it as her demeanor hid nothing.

He handed back the last customer's credit card and packaged the customer's items with a bow.

He made his way out of the store just as the customer left.

"Lucy!" Brian called out. Lucy jumped at her name, she had blanked out.

"Brian! How did you know I am round?" she questioned surprisingly.

"Tell me. What's up? You look disturbed and blank," Brian complained.

"My results are out," Lucy said and handed her phone to Brian with a sad smile.

Brian checked the result and shook his head slowly, "too bad," he whispered.

"I don't think I can do this anymore. This isn't my thing... I keep failing at each trial," Lucy lamented.

"That isn't an excuse. You should have worked harder...Go back home. I am almost done.

"I..."I won't leave until you are done... I can't face mum all alone... I am scared and I feel sorry too," Lucy said and shook her head vigorously as her tears streamed down

"Then, you'd have to wait," Brian said and walked back into the store.

******

Lauren had noticed Lucy's disappearance. She was just about to ring her up when she heard a soft knock at the door.

The door clicked open and Brian walked in. Right behind him was Lucy. "Oh Brian... Lucy? When did you leave? I have searched the whole house for you," Lauren said.

"Mum... It's.... I had to see Brian," Lucy stuttered.

Lauren's forehead burrowed in a frown as realization dawned on her. She wasn't unfamiliar with Lucy's ways.

"You needed to see Brian? What for!? Don't tell me you failed again this time. Where are your results? Are they out already? Lauren demanded and charged towards Lucy.

Lucy delved, she ducked like a duckling behind Brian and held him tightly.

"Mum! This isn't right! Hitting her won't change anything!" Brian yelled.

"There you go! Do I have to write the exams for her to make things right!?" Lauren yelled.

"Mum, I'm sorry... I will put in a better effort next time..." Lucy muttered and peeped from behind Brian.

"Never! You are going down to live with my brother in the suburbs. I have had enough of this!" Lauren blurted out.

"Mum, give her another chance. I will help her out this time," Brian pleaded.

"I might reconsider it if you will help her," Lauren said angrily. She marched into her room and flung the door against their faces.

"Thank you Brian," Lucy said. "Do not worry, I will speak with her... But be ready to work your ass out this time. I won't go easy on you," Brian said and retired into his room.

Lucy was just settling in her room when she heard a knock. "Brian? What's up? "

"I am going to visit Richard," Brian responded. The door flung open immediately. Lucy stuck her head out. "Don't ever think of going alone. You can't leave me behind. Once you are gone mum won't let me be," Lucy pleaded.

Brian had no choice. He knew Lucy was right, once he was gone, Lauren would pounce on her.

"Just a minute... Let me pick up my jacket.. it's freezing cold out there," Lucy giggled and shut the door.

"I did not agree to take you with me!" Brian protested and chuckled.

Lauren shook her head in disapproval as she watched the two leave the house.

"Lucy will be the death of me. I have never seen her feel bad about her failure," she muttered.