Arabella Rivera What the hell? Grumpy? Confusion was all I felt right now as I stared at mother like she grew a second head. She was acting strangely and quite frankly I didn't know if to run for the hills or not. Only that there weren't any hills around here. I could run for a tree but what help would that be? "Are you feeling well mother?" Asking her so seriously made a foreign look of amusement settle on her features, surprising me even more than I am already. She sighs when my blank features did not change. "Look Arabella, just get in, I'll explain on the way." Her voice swirled with a plea. Her voice drops and her eyes soften when I don't make a move to enter the car. "Please." What could be so urgent that she couldn't wait for after school? Not only that, but she was okay with me ditching the rest of the day? In fact, she was the one who wanted me to ditch. Did some alien take over my mother's body without me knowing? I knew my answers would only get answered if I only went along with whatever she wanted. So I nodded tightly and a pleased smile lits up her features. "Thank you." She said and entered the car. I walked around the hood and entered the passenger's side, hesitating to close it for a second. After a few seconds I finally just threw out my worries and closed it. Everything goes deafly quiet. Only the sounds of our breaths could be heard in the small space of the car. She taps her long freshly manicured nails on the wheel as a nervous gesture. I pulled my bag to me, not really knowing what to do or say. Mother turns her head to stare out of the window and peered at the huge school's building. With a sigh, she starts the car and drives out of the parking space and onto the road. The road was busier than usual which was caused by it literally being lunchtime. There was also a sale going on in one of the stores down the street. "Traffic is a little bit much today." Mother murmurs, seeming to try to cut the thick tension that curled in the air. "I could've sworn I saw a snake slithering up that tree." She laughed nervously as she pointed at a tree. I rolled my eyes turning to stare out my window. Was this her way of trying to make conversation? Well her communicating skills sucked as bad as my spying. Maybe even worse."I like your haircut. It suits you." Her sudden words had my hands fisting in anger. "Yeah well, the original plan was to shave it bald. Too bad I didn't have a clipper." I gritted out through my teeth. "Either way would suit you." She whispers and makes a turn. "Oh cut the crap. I know you hate my new haircut, especially the uneven ends. I'm sure you're dying to bring me to a salon. Your fingers must be itching you right now." I growled. Why couldn't she for once, just speak the fucking truth? "You're wrong." Her pathetic whisper didn't do her any justice to win against my accusation. It only painted her more into an ugly light. I don't bother to answer her, choosing to let her suffocate in my silence. I heard when she lets out a deep sigh that dragged on for a few seconds. "I'm trying here Arabella." Her words affected me. I whipped my head to face her, darkening my features into an angry one. "Trying what exactly mother? You still haven't told me why you dragged me out of school and made me ditch?" I snapped. I shouldn't have entered the car. I should've stayed in school. Anything would be better than being in this car with her. She stays muted, her red painted lips pressing into a frown. I shook my head in disappointment and turned away from her. The ride continues like this for a couple of minutes until she slows down by the curb. My head bent to look at the sign hanging over the little parlor. A sign with the picture of an ice cream and the word Ice-cream yum showed what exactly to expect in that parlor. Mother gets out of the car and slams the door shut. I stay inside, my eyes following her as she walks around the hood. When she's beside the driver's side, she knocks her knuckles on the door. "Come on." Were her last words as she struts towards the small Ice-cream parlor, leaving me alone in the car. One part of me wanted to disobey her and stay inside or at least hike until I get home or back to school. But the other part of me was very intrigued as to why she brought us here in the first place. Wasn't she some anti-sugar protestor? I left my bag in the car and got out after a few minutes of contemplating. I looked around, smiling at the men and women who greeted me as they passed by. A kid and his mother come out of the Ice-cream parlor and I watch the chocolate fudge spilling atop the vanilla ice cream nestled in a small foam cup. I have never wanted something more in my life. Well except for a certain bad boy who I should not be thinking about right now. Feeling a little motivated to follow mother now, I pushed through the double glass doors and entered. It's chilly and it's refreshing since it has been hot the entire day. My eyes made a quick scan around the area. It wasn't big but it wasn't exactly small either. There was a line of people by the counter and the employees looked stressed out as they took everyone's order. There were a few seating areas beside a huge glass wall overlooking the street. I spotted mother sitting on one, looking out the huge glass wall. She looked to be lost in thought. The little chime on top of the door wider as I entered made her head snap towards me. A relieved expression relaxed the tightness of her features. I walked to her, leisurely, almost in reluctance. But as her expression lighten each distance I covered between us, I decided to just put her out of her misery. I fix myself on the chair opposite to her, slouching in awkwardness. Surprisingly she did not tell me to sit up straight, like normal. My eyes stayed on the red plastic table, not able to look at her. "I ordered us some ice cream." Her soft voice and words nearly had my eyes snapping up to her but I forced them to stay on the table. " It should be here any second. I thought we could both share." I knew she wanted me to answer her, look at her at least. But I refused. I kept seeing the woman who snapped and slapped me across my face, harshly. She sighs as if knowing what I was thinking about. "I'm sorry Arabella. I'm so sorry for my actions last night." Now those words, those words made my eyes finally leave the table and pin her down. Her expression turned apologetic and it was sad that I couldn't tell if she was acting or not. She had become such a professional during the years she walked this earth. Her eyes drop to my cheek. She remembered. I bet it played over and over in her head. "It wasn't- She stops, sucking in some air. " I crossed the line last night. I did something I shouldn't have done-" "Is this some sort of apology?" My voice finally cracked the tense air, only to make it heavier. "Bringing me here, breaking your own rules?" I continued, clenching my fist on my lap under the table. "You think bringing me out for ice cream will make me forget how you treated me for years?"