Chapter 3 Home sweet home

Hera's P.o.v

"We are here," Ava whispered softly while pushing the car door open.

I glanced outside with a low sigh, not wanting to go out.

My eyes were fixed on the blue-painted house to our right that was the only one away from the others. Compared to what we first had, it really was small. But then the apartment we lived in was way smaller than this.

The house had a big veranda and windows on the front. Green grass was everywhere on the ground and the tall trees behind the house were rustling loudly.

"We don't have all day you know," Ava said seriously.

I glanced at her then quickly rubbed my hands against my arm when a cold shiver went around me.

The house gave me goosebumps. It reminded me of a haunted house I had once watched in a horror movie.

"This house gives me the creeps of a horror movie vibe." I said honestly.

Loud laughter startled me, Ava was bending forward with her arms wrapped around her waist as she continued laughing.

I froze in shock not knowing how to react. This was the first time in a while that she was laughing genuinely. With me, she was usually giving me a cold stare or not looking my way. At times she just gave me a blank expression.

She became more of a stranger than a Mother to me as time went on. I found myself knowing less and less over what she thought and felt.

"It's not funny." I pointed out with a pout.

"Omg Hera, you should have seen your face. How old are you to be scared of such movies." She teased while she stood upright.

"For real, this house looks nice but it gives me goosebumps." I answered then opened the door and came out reluctantly.

"Those movies aren't based on real life. Well....most of them. I can also assure you that this house is perfectly safe miss scared cat." She teased.

I glared at her playfully then shrugged.

"Now let's go in, I hope you don't mind that I picked out your room." She said while she closed the door behind and went to the entrance.

I frowned not liking her words. Why the hell was she choosing a room for me?. I wanted to chose and decide everything on my own.

I dragged myself to the door with an angry expression.

She pulled out the house keys from her jean trousers and unlocked the door.

"Welcome home." She said under her breath.

"Yeah, whatever." I murmured under my breath then walked in without a second thought.

"Where is my so-called room?" I asked seriously.

"Hera what's wrong?" She asked behind me.

I turned and faced her furiously.

Everything was wrong!. Did she not know that?. All this time she made my life a living hell on its own besides those bastards who attended school with me. Never was there a time that she was concerned or worried about my being. Now that we were in a different country and a new house, she was giving me some pretense emotions. I wasn't some petty little girl who craved for her parents' love or attention, no!. I was a full-grown-ass lady, capable of surviving anything the world would throw my way.

"Can't we cut the acting?" I asked seriously as she frowned.

"What do you mean?" She asked as her frowned deepened.

"Look, Ava...."

I trailed off and saw her tense.

Why was she acting like this?. Ever since my father passed away, I called her by her name and she seemed unfazed by that. Now that we were in some different environment and place, she was acting all different.

"I know that we don't look eye to eye or talk, and that's not a bad thing at all, quite the opposite. I love it. That's why I'm telling you to cut the act and stay away from me. I too will do the same as always. Think of me as a roommate, I'll do my part of chores or everything, while you go on ignoring my very exist......"

I flinched and took in a sharp breath when a painful slap grazed my cheek.

"How dare you!" She yelled on top of her voice shocking me.

I looked at her with blurry eyes as tears filled them.

Never was there a day that I was slapped by her.

Feeling the ache so bad on my skin and her cold eyes made me scared.

It was now clear how much she hated me. Now that I had nowhere to run to, she was showing me her true self.

She was about to touch me when I angrily slapped her hand away.

"Don't you dare touch me!" I spat loudly surprising her.

"Hera." She called softly then tried to move when I took a step back.

"Why, you?" I asked in a whisper as tears rolled on my cheeks.

"Why were you the one to live and survive?. Why wouldn't it have been Dad!. If you were to die in Dad's place, my life would have been better and normal!" I screamed on top of my voice as her face instantly went pale.

"You are a horrible person. No, a horrible mother. Never was there a day that you showed love or care to me. While I went through a lot, what were you fucking doing Ava?. Gambling and drinking your life away in peace. Was there a time you realized how much in pain I was?. No right." I said with laughter.

"Did you notice the red bruises I came with from school?. No right. Was there a time you thought to yourself how strange it was that I had to put on a fucking hat and scarf in summertime!. I wore fucking shades in winter too!, Because I had a badly swollen eye which couldn't open for a week. They hit me everyday for months Ava!. Mocked me for being an orphan who was left with a drunk mum. My own close friends spread my name around and made me a clown to amuse them......." I trailed off and swallowed a forming lump in my throat as tears continued to fall.

"A few times some men wanted to take advantage of me. Some even got aggressive with me. I was so scared and lonely. The only friend I had was in my imagination." I whispered then lifted my hands and wiped off my tears.

"So Ava don't act kind towards me or try to fix the shit that's already been broken. I will do my part well, go to college and clean the house. You do what you have always been doing too, staying in your room for as long as you want. My father died, but so did my mother. You are just a stranger looking after me, that's all you are to me." I whispered seriously then turned and went upstairs not caring if the room I was going to choose was mine or hers.

My heart was aching badly and the tears rolling on my cheeks couldn't stop. I could hear her sobbing as well and it made me feel worse.

I found two rooms on each side, one painted pink, and one painted dark brown.

"Screw being a princess," I whispered then walked to the brown door and pushed it open.

"Home sweet home," I said softly then walked in.