Summer
Typically anyone my age would be overjoyed to be on summer vacation. For me however, that's far from the case; summer for me is hell. It's two and a half months of wishing I was anywhere but home. Most of my day is hiding out in my room wishing I was back. It's not that I love school, it's simply that its better than being home. I currently go to a boarding school in Chicago which is over a 4 hour drive from where I life...Lima, Ohio. Now I know, there are plenty of great schools right here in Lima; Carmel, one of the top schools here in Ohio and even Mckinley which is actually a great school, but I can't go to either. Not because I'm "too smart" or "too good", it's simply because my mom likes to run off to London whenever she wants. Okay not whenever she wants and it's not for no reason. My mom is a world renowned theater director and has directed countless shows on Broadway and now is working for West End over in London. Why she didn't decide to just move us to London...because she still works on Broadway when not overseas. And that results in her never being home and me having to go to a boarding school during the school year and staying home with a "nanny" during the summer.
I wake up to the same old Lima sky...bright blue with no clouds to be seen for miles. Rolling over to face my back to the window, I pull the covers over my face in attempt to fall back asleep. Unfortunately today, my body has other plans. I throw my covers to the side and grab my phone off the end table beside my bed. Losing track of time I must have scrolled through multiple social media platforms before finally convincing myself to get out of bed. My feet hit the soft rug which is placed below my bed and within a few steps they hit the cold wood floors. I reach the bathroom flicking on the light squinting my eyes trying to allow them to adjust. Once they do, I stare into the large, clean, clear mirror just above my sink.
My fingers run through my long, strawberry-blonde which holds delicate waves. Looking at myself I notice the freckles which are starting to appear on my face due to the summer sun. They are placed almost completely symmetrical across both cheeks up to right below my green eyes. I waste no time and through my hair up into a messy bun and quickly wash my face followed by brushing my teeth. When both tasks are complete, I let back down my hair, turn off the blinding light and exit the safety of my bedroom. My feet hit each stair for not even a second before reaching the bottom. I expect nothing but the same as I turn the corner and enter the kitchen, however I am taken by surprise "Good Morning sweetheart"
I look up and see a tall women with dark eyes and hair standing in front of me. I keep my eyes on her for only a matter of seconds before turning away to grab a cup of yogurt from the fridge. "I thought you were in London" I say refusing to make any sort of eye contact. I hear her let out a sigh "well I was but I got back early this morning, I have my winning show choir teams reunion, remember?" Grabbing a spoon I try to rack my brain for any recollection of a show choir reunion, nothing comes to mind. My eyes meet with hers and I can see the disappointment in her eyes "Beth, I told you about this weeks ago. My old show choir team Vocal Adrenaline is performing at this years show choir nationals. The past 10 teams to win are coming back for a victory performance and you're coming". My eyes disconnect from her's as I laugh "I'm not going to some show choir performance" she gives me that 'mom look' "you can't make me go". She laughs in return to the statement "oh I can indeed make you go, I'm your mother". Chills go down my spine, I hate more than anything when she uses that guilt phrase. I hate it because it's not true, at least in my mind.
I was adopted when I was a week old. I was the result of a teen pregnancy case, I imagine it being a drunk, one-night stand or else maybe I would still be with them. Shelby claims that she has given me a 'better life' by adopting me but honestly I don't see how the one I'm living is any better than if I stayed with them. I know nothing about my birth, or as I like to call them real, parents besides the fact that they were sixteen years old and they lived here in Lima. I know it's terrible to say, but since finding out I was adopted it all makes sense. I am so different from Shelby in everything from looks, to style, to beliefs. I honestly don't know the last time I actually referred to her as 'mom' normally I just call her Shelby or nothing at all.
"You're not my mom" I scoff barely look up to her narrowing my eyes and furrowing my brow in the process. Her face turns in a split second from annoyed to angry. At this point I'm so immune to her anger that it doesn't bother me and I'm not afraid to snap back.
Shelby slams her hand on the countertop "Elizabeth Fabray Corcoran I am most certainly your mom and don't you dare say otherwise" her voice now louder than before. I snap back without even thinking "yeah? Well what mom sends their child off to a boarding school so they can run off to London whenever they want...not a good one ". I start to regret my choice of words as I see her anger turn to pain but the regret quickly goes away as she gives a snarky remark in return "oh you're going now, you are going or I take your phone for the entire summer". I roll my eyes and stand up from the table. I throw (literally) my spoon into the sink and place my empty yogurt cup into the trash. Wasting no time I run back up the stairs to my room and slam the door shut. I flop onto my bed and sigh, I can't live like this anymore...I need to find her...my mom
