Chapter 3 Episode

Charlotte's POV

We were all currently watching a movie on the small plasma TV stuck on the wall. We had gathered enough money to renovate this place to our taste. I yawned before glancing at the clock hanging on the wall.

"We need to go, guys. It's late" I groaned, seeing as it read 11:24 pm. The others seemed to agree, so we stood up and cleared the mess. Once done, we got down from the house and went our separate ways but not before bidding ourselves goodnight.

Walking down the cold and empty road, I sighed, thinking back to what happened today. 'I guess I'll have to start searching for a new school to attend now'. I stuffed my hands into my jean jacket as an angry wind slammed into me, making me shiver.

I squinted my eyes as my house came in view. As usual, the porch light was on, notifying me that my mother was home. She and I had been living in that house for as long as we could remember.

My father passed away when I was at the age of two, and with little to no memory of him, I didn't know if to cry or not. Truth be told, I did yearn for a fatherly figure in my life, but I could never have one, so I didn't bother trying.

Grabbing the spare key my mom keeps under the pot plant by the window, I slotted it into the keyhole before turning it open. Once the door opened, I went in. "Mom, I'm home" I yelled before hearing her respond. I ventured up the stairs into her room to find her on her rocking chair, listening to the radio.

I smiled before walking over to her, kissing her forehead. "Charlotte, where have you been? I was worried sick about you" her tired voice reached my ears, making me sigh.

"I was out with my friends, and I lost track of time. Sorry, I should've called" I replied, watching as she reached for her walking stick before standing up.

"Ok then... What would you like to eat?" she asked, feeling the air as she began to walk towards the door.

"Don't worry about that, Mama... I can find something to eat. You need rest" I rubbed my head, but all I said fell deaf to her ears as I watched her walk out of the room with her walking stick smacking the walls as she felt her way around the house.

I followed her, waiting for her to descend the stairs before I joined her in the kitchen. "Where did Jasmyn keep the food?" I heard her mumble to herself as I sat on the chair behind the counter, watching her pull the plate of food out of the refrigerator effortlessly.

Thinking things would be hard for a blind person seems etched on everyone's mindset, but my mom loves proving everyone wrong. Being in this state for more than nine years now, she has never for once allowed her disability to slow her down.

After my dad died, she took care of me herself; Working day and night to feed me. Six years after the incident, she had an accident that led to her having surgery. Unfortunately, during this process, she lost her sight. Nine years later, and here my mother is, still as vibrant as ever.

It took the entire members of her company to convince her to stop working due to her condition. She was an adamant and sassy individual just like me but then Like Mother, Like Daughter.

"Here you go" her voice broke me out of my trance as I saw a hot plate of lasagna sitting on the counter. I pulled the plate to myself before digging in.

I smiled at her. "Gracias Mama" I thanked her. I'm half Spanish and half Canadian. My mother is from Spain, and she grew up there till she moved to Canada to study at a university, and that was where she met my father. They got married and had me.

"Now tell me what happened in school today" she smiled, feeling around the table before reaching into the fruit bowl to take a banana.

I gulped, knowing my answer would infuriate her. She had always dreamed of having the perfect child. A child that follows the rules doesn't cause trouble and doesn't stay out late out, and of course, I had to be the opposite.

Taking my silence as something bad, she questioned in panic "What happened?" she asked, feeling the air for me, and I brought her hand in mine, squeezing it softly.

There were two things I cherished the most in my life. They were my friends and my mother. They were dearest to me, and I wouldn't trade them for the world. I sighed 'I've never lied to her, and I can't lie to her now'.

"Mama, I got expelled" I said, dropping my fork. Holding my breath, I waited for her to lash out at me or scold me, but I got none, making me snap my head in her direction to find tears streaming down her face.

"Mama, what's wrong? I'm sorry ok, but it wasn't my fault. You know I have a bad temper. It's ok, please stop crying-" I was cut off as she placed her finger on her lips, signalling me to keep quiet, and I shut my lips firmly.

Her sobs filled the air making my heart clench in worry "It's not that. I'm not angry about that. It's just-" she shook her head, and I got up, walking over to her side to comfort her. "You remind me so much of him. He was always a rebel, never one to follow the rules. He always managed to get suspended almost every year. It's a surprise that he never got expelled" she laughed in between her tears, making me sigh.

It wasn't new to me anymore. She often compared me to my father. Telling me how much we acted the same way, and I always listened to her because each time she did so, she always cried, and I always comforted her.

According to her, I was just as hot-tempered as him. I acted like him. Everything I did, I did it just like him. I wasn't bothered by this, but it did make my heart warm up anytime I heard about him and how equally we acted, making me sometimes wish he were here.

"It's ok, Mama. Please stop crying" I rubbed her back lovingly, and she stopped. Wiping her tears with my thumb, I hugged her, loving the comfort I got in her arms; It made me feel like a child again and not this sophisticated seventeen years old.

In her arms, I felt safe and protected from the cruel world. I forget about everything and focus on her warm embrace, and if I had toit meant dying to save my mother, I would gladly kill myself just for her safety.

After the episode, I guided her up the stairs to her room before tucking her in. I went into my room, sighing as I got in. Dropping my bag on my bed, I stripped before grabbing my towel and running into the toilet.

After taking my bath, I came out with a towel wrapped around my body then I walked over to my wardrobe, picking out a black tank top and a pair of dark blue shorts before putting them on and packing my hair in a messy bun. Bundling my dirty clothes, I tossed them into the laundry basket beside the door.

Jumping on the bed, I covered myself with the duvet and allowed sleep to defeat me.