The next day, I had to stay after school for a club meeting- I was in Art Honors Society. Fancy, I know.

But, I wasn't as excited to be there as I normally was. Maybe because we were just planning a mural- not actually doing any art. I was usually more excited though.

I just had a nagging feeling. Worry, of some sort.

I think it was obvious, because all of my friends kept asking if I was okay all day. But, they also knew me well, and I was aware I wasn't fully acting myself. I didn't feel like I had that type of energy.

I just didn't feel right. All I could think about was yesterday. How it scared me so much. What it reminded me of.

When Mom picked me up from school, she noticed immediately. I saw the way her face scrunched when I plopped my backpack, and then myself, into the passenger seat of her car.

"Olive, you ok?" She asked once I closed the car door.

It felt silly to tell her how I was feeling.

It was obviously a very small fight between her and Callie. But, it bothered me.

"No." I mumbled. I slumped into the seat after I buckled.

"Bad day?" Mom frowned.

I shrugged.

"If you wanna talk about it you know I'm here." Mom said simply.

The first few minutes of the car rides were silent. I figured I should talk to her, though. It was really bothering me.

"Mom?"

"Hm?"

"Are you and Callie fighting?"

"What?" She glanced at me. "No, not at all. Why?"

"Well, you both seemed mad yesterday. Then she left pretty quickly after you guys were yelling."

"We just needed a break. Totally not fighting, I promise. We've been texting all day." Mom reassured. "The moving stuff gets stressful sometimes, we don't 100% agree with each other yet."

I bit my cheek.

"We're not fighting, baby." Mom repeated.

"It was bothering me." I admitted.

"That you thought we were fighting?" Mom seemed confused.

I opened my mouth to explain, but closed it. I took a few breathes, "It just... reminded me of you and Dad, I guess." I mumbled. I wasn't even sure if Mom heard me.

It was quiet for a few moments.

Then, Mom spoke up- I guess she did hear me. "This is nothing like your father and I. Callie and I argue over silly things- like why she can contribute more to our monthly rent. It's not real fighting. I promise you that this is nothing like how it used to be."

I sucked my cheeks in.

"You hear me?" Mom asked quietly.

"Yeah." I nodded. "It just... made me feel funny."

"What do you mean?"

"I dunno. I felt nervous... like-" I tried to search my brain for something to compare it to- how to explain how I was feeling. "I just... couldn't think straight. My heart hurt and my stomach and.. I just felt nervous."

"Is that why you went in your room?"

"Yeah..."

"I wish you would've said something."

"I was scared." I admitted.

"Baby..." Mom looked upset.

"I- I know you guys are... I mean... it's nothing like you and Dad but. I don't know. The tension just... reminded me of it. And I started to panic." I told her.

"I'm so sorry." Mom frowned. "I promise you we aren't arguing. Callie and I are good. We really just needed to take a break from the apartment hunting. It's a little stressful, I'm sure that's why it felt tense."

I nodded a little. "It's stupid of me-"

"No, it's not. Being scared, or anxious, or worried is not stupid." Mom cut me off.

"But-"

"No. Don't feel silly for feeling. It's understandable why you would be scared. And, I'm sorry. I promise that Callie and I will never be like Dad and I- even if we have a real argument."

I nodded, even though she couldn't see me- she had her eyes on the road. "I know that. That's why it feels dumb to have been so worried."

"It's not dumb at all." Mom stated.

"It's just that I know it's different now."

"I know. Me too. But, I still get defensive with Callie sometimes. Because, it's what I've been used to." Mom said softly. "I understand how you're feeling. You know there's nothing to be worried about- I know I don't need to defend myself to Callie. But you still feel worried sometimes- I still defend myself sometimes."

"Yeah..." It felt good to be understood. Mom knew how I felt.

"It's not silly, or stupid, or dumb." Mom said as she pulled into a parking space in front of our apartment. She parked the car, then turned to look at me. "I'm glad you can talk to me about this."

I nodded a little.

She looked into my eyes, and her eyes filled with tears. "I'm so sorry that you felt that way and I wasn't there to help you."

"It's not like you knew, Mom." I felt bad- I could tell she felt guilty.

She nodded slowly, touching my shoulder. She twisted a piece of my hair that had fell out of my overly messy low bun. "Promise me that next time you're feeling like that you'll tell me?"

I nodded again, "Yeah, Mom."

"Good." She smiled a little, rubbing the tears from her eyes. "I love you."

"I love you too." I responded.

Her smile grew. She leaned over and kissed my head. "How was school?"

"I was in a bad mood." I mumbled. "So it wasn't the best. I kinda ruined it for myself." I laughed.

Mom patted my shoulder. "Tomorrow will be better!" She smiled reassuringly.

"Yeah, I hope so." I said.

Mom was so positive. I still felt a little off, but it felt good to tell Mom. And to know that she gets it. It was... oddly reassuring.