A TWIST OF THE WRIST

BY: DIVINE MISS J

My mother is beautiful; Always has been. Her mixture of silvery blonde hair flows down to mid back and sways side to side as she strolls casually and seductively. The cool, magnetic blue of her eyes shine mysteriously to that night's looming Adonis that vies visibly for her attention. Like always, she first pretends to ignore him, amplifying her presence that inevitably makes her looks even more attractive to him. She places herself in her most glorifying position- her back towards him standing in the moonlight allowing him to stare at her cascading silvery locks forcing him to inadvertently hold his breath. She turns her head slightly and clashes with his gaze.

She may be older but it doesn't matter. Age means nothing to her. She will always be beautiful and that is all that matters. That is all that she needs. She is an aspiring actress- I'm lying. She is an actress. Every movement, gesture, sound uttered from her is an act.

Cherry blossoms rock against the window I am leaning beside. I watch the display above from the party, still in awe of her capabilities. I turn seventeen tonight. This party isn't for me though. We live in Hollywood and my mother never misses a chance to show off her cold classic features.

I have tagged along with her like I always do. I love my mother and everything about her. Sometimes I feel ashamed that I am her daughter. She had me when she was 22 and she could have so much more if I wasn't with her. I try to do everything for her, she deserves it. She is a true artist. Tonight will be her big break. The party is in her honor for winning an acclaimed role of a cold hard murderer. She will be perfect for it, in more ways then one.

The young man is talking to her now. He gently touches her shoulder and smiles. She flashes her eyes at him and you can tell that he tenses up pleasurably. She is wearing her best dress, the white silk. It shows off her strong back and shoulders but intensifies her figure- a womanly figure.

I take a sip of my champagne and pretend that I am her talking to the boy with midnight blue eyes and jet black hair. He really was gorgeous. I aimlessly wondered if he was going to spend the night, would I see him before he is out of her life completely. Unlikely since no one ever stays for more than a couple days with her. She always casts them out soon enough- proving that she is stronger and harder than anyone, not needing love. But maybe he was different.

I decided that maybe it was time for me to leave. I knew I looked pitiful just standing by the window smoking a joint and sipping my champagne. A few men came up to me, confusing me for my mother. Confusing my awkwardness as beauty, but it is never the same as her. She has confidence and I lack miserably. Who wouldn't with a mother like that? She's had billboards up of her honoring her every curve.

I walked down the marbled stairs to them. Their foreheads where almost pressed against each other as they sat on the balcony underneath the stars. They were hushing incomprehensible words to each other. I suddenly felt embarrassed by interrupting their private moment.

I cleared my throat, "Mother-" I called out.

She didn't respond and I just stood there looking stupid.

"Mother…" I tried again. She turned to look at me not hiding her annoyance. She would have to explain me to her new found lover.

"Serena…" she mumbled as she straightened out her back.

"I just wanted to tell you that I am leaving," I stated, waiting for her acknowledgment.

"Okay," she flippantly said ushering me to leave. I turned around and then was stopped by a deep sultry voice.

I turned around to see who had called my name. He stood face to face with me with a smile on his face. Looking clearly at him now, he looked oddly familiar. His presence reminded me of someone.

"Serena," he said.

"Yes,"

"Beautiful little girl, don't you remember me!" He chuckled looking at my mother for some assistance.

She folded her upper body to her knees and with a cat like smile, she purred, "Serena, darling, you do remember Darien. He helped take care of you when you were about six."

Ah! That's where I remember.

Darien Shields; my mother occasionally would bring him up every some-odd years. From my understanding, he was an aspiring boyish photographer who met my mother in a photo shoot. He was only 21, she was 28. Like so many others, he fell in love with her, and she used him.

At that time she needed money and he couldn't give it to her. She left him broken hearted while she became a serious model dating a serious rich designer.

"I hardly recognize you," he surprisingly said, "I misspoke; you are not a little girl anymore".

I blushed. He was incredibly good looking; my mother sure knew how to pick them. I shook his hand then he sat next to my mother once again. He was obviously smitten by her.

"It's good to see you again," I said as I started to walk away.

For some reason I couldn't help but hope my long hair was swaying like my mothers. Though I doubted he was looking at it, still entranced by my mother.

I sighed, and retreated back to the mansion my mother and I occupied.

As I walked back on the dry cement, my mind wandered to Darien; remembering little fragments of him when I was six.

Although he was 32 now, he looks the same as he did 11 years ago; same big blue eyes and inviting smile. Towards the end of their relationship, Darien became almost my live in nanny. I assume that he became close to me to try and salvage his deteriorating relationship with my mother. He used to take me to the park to help me swim in the lake and then eventually twist my wet blonde hair in two buns on my head.

The day my mother told me I would never see him again, I felt… weird. I may have only been six but I know when something feels wrong. Soon after, a Monsieur Le Blanc replaced him. He was an older man who wore Armani Suits and strong cologne. The grey in his hair clashed greatly with the black.

My mother eventually married him in front of a peace of justice and then two years later he died from a heart attack, leaving my mother and I financially supported for the rest of our lives and twice over.

I arrived at my home and took long strides up the stairs to my room. As I pushed open the door, I faintly smelled cinnamon vanilla and was soon taken back by the display in my room. On my bed sleeping peacefully was a boy named Seiya. Okay, so he wasn't a random boy, he was my off and on again fling, but I was still surprised to see him. I sat next to him on my lavender bed spread, admiring his chiseled face. Sure he was gorgeous and sweet and his performance was amazing, but there was always something missing from him- a disconnection.

I kissed his cheek, and he mumbled something.

Again I kissed his cheek, and playfully giggled, "Seiyaaa!"

He woke up and turned to look at me. Then suddenly he kissed me passionately.

"Happy Birthday Babe-"he said.

"Thanks," I replied, I'm guessing he wanted to be the first one to wish me happy birthday. Which was cute…?

He shifted so I could lie on his chest and pulled out a small pink box from his back pocket.

I opened it and was astonished.

Laid upon purple velvet was a gorgeous silver bracelet with a small diamond glistening.

"Seiya… you really didn't have to"

"I know" he smiled and then kissed my cheek, "Do you like it?"

"I...I love it" I stammered.

He took the bracelet and clasped it on my wrist which he then kissed. I was moved.

"Serena, you deserve it. It looks beautiful on you!"

The kiss on the wrist gradually moved up and I was in the perfect mood.

My mother and I never had the birds and bees conversation. Sure she talked about sex, but only how beautiful it was between gorgeous people on a beach with the wind and sand striking your soft, naked body- obviously her sex experiences.

As I smoked another joint in my bed, I glanced at the semi-half exposed Seiya who slept beside me. It was about four in the morning, and I couldn't sleep once again.

I couldn't really kick him out, or could I?

I decided against it and grabbed his wrinkled dress shirt that was lying on the floor and buttoned it on me. I took another hit of the joint and made my way to the kitchen.

As my feet touched the cold marble, chills ran through my body. Then I soon got over it.

I glanced in the refrigerator, looking for anything edible. I immediately gave up. I hated that I couldn't sleep and I didn't really want to go to my room now that it was invaded by Seiya.

I pushed myself on the counter table, and let my legs dangle while I took another hit.

It was still dark outside but anyone could tell that it was almost morning as the black night sky started to turn a light purple. I loved this moment; it was more exciting and romantic than a sunset. Sunsets are always associated with "the end" of everything. The rising sun, though, promised something innovative in the new day.

The wall sized windows in the kitchen, made me feel like I was outside. It was the perfect backdrop for what was about to happen.

As I smoked my joint on the counter table mesmerized by the sky, Darien walked in. I didn't notice until he whispered my name.

Maybe it was from the high I was really feeling, but as I turned my head to look at him, tingling sensations ran through out my body. He leaned against the wall on his shoulder with his arms crossed exposing his grapefruit biceps as his jet black hair barely covered his blue, blue eyes. He only wore a wife beater and some Ralph Lauren boxers. He sure did look like a model.

"Hi," I whispered, even though we didn't have to. The house was so big, no one could hear.

But then, I found myself haughtily saying, "I didn't know you were going to spend the night," now realizing that he was probably just with my mother. Unexpectedly I found myself a little upset.

He blushed. I cringed.

I took another hit of my almost gone joint and then offered it to him. I giggled lightly as he approached me and then took it.

He had a suspicious smile on his face as he looked at it.

"Well…" I said, wondering if he was going to smoke it.

And he did.

Maybe I should have been a little embarrassed or "ashamed" that I was openly smoking weed in a dress shirt that barely covered my tan fit legs in front of an adult. But I wasn't. If anything I felt like Darien was my equal.

He was about to give it back, when I shook my head and put my palm up. I smiled, and he smiled.

"Don't tell your mom," he whispered.

Now I really laughed. "Darien, my mother has already graduated to prescription pills. She won't mind"

He shrugged his shoulders and turned to look at the purple/black sky.

"Beautiful, isn't it" I breathed.

"Yeah," he murmured.

There was a peaceful silence between us.

"Why are you up so early," he asked.

"Can't sleep,"

"Same here,"

I wondered why that was.

"Are you getting back with my mother?" I asked as politely as I could.

He coughed.

"She wants to," he said and then abruptly added, "and I want to, too. So I guess yeah, we are!"

I swallowed.

"Well I'm glad you're back" I said, now wishing I was just in my room with Seiya, enjoying my high.

"Actually, I wasn't sure if you were even going to recognize me," he turned to look at me, and I swear I saw his eyes soften a little, but then he blinked. UGH!

"It's been a while," he stated obviously. "You've changed but are still almost the same. I can't put my finger on it. But you still are as adorable when you were six,"

Oh thanks, I thought.

He was so gorgeous! Why oh why did my mother always win. Then realizing I was even thinking about Darien that way; I personally inside squirmed. EWW! I would so need therapy forever.

"Well, I am older, 17 today." I mumbled.

"You are only 17?" he said, blinking.

"Yeah," this was getting awkward.

Then as if Godsend, Seiya now appeared, yawning. He looked really cute with his messy hair and six pack chest. I actually felt a little proud, that I could catch a guy like this.

He walked over to me, totally ignoring Darien, and gave me a nice slow kiss on the lips.

"Babe, what are you doing up so early," he leaned his forehead on my shoulder. I awkwardly giggled, as I glanced at Darien, who looked a little taken back. I don't think he was expecting me to be having sex so early. Like he said, he still sees me as an adorable six year old.

"Uh, Seiya this is Darien. Dairen, Seiya"

Seiya turned around still managing to have his head on my shoulder.

"Hey, man" he said in a low monotone skate boarder voice.

"Hi," he mumbled.

AWKWARD!!!!!!!

"Is he a new one for your mom," Seiya whispered into my ear, but I knew Darien could hear.

"Darien and my mom use to date when I was younger. Darien use to take care of me also." I said, trying to look approvingly at Darien. He just stood there as he bore his midnight blue eyes through Seiya.

Seiya was obviously bored and didn't care.

He soon jumped up and took my hand.

"Lets go back to bed," he whined, and then picked me up from the counter top and then let my feet touch the ground. He soon led me by the hand out of the kitchen, and said, "Nice to meet ya, dude!" to Darien.

As I followed excitedly behind Seiya, I turned around that made my hair swing back making me feel like a cover girl, and waved back to Darien. He just stood there, and I couldn't make out what he was thinking.

Well that's Chapter 1! Reviews are always welcomed.

DIVINE MISS J