He's So Aggravating, But I Think I Like Him

Chapter Eighteen

Mandy

I'm off to my Mom's. I haven't seen her in about seven years.

Let me catch you up.

Before I moved out, I lived with my mom, step-dad, and younger brother. Well, me and my step-dad didn't really get along very well, and one night after a big fight with him, I snuck off with the car to meet some friends. I drank a lot and did some drugs with those people, and on the way home, I ran headlong into another car.

I had to go to the hospital, where my parents showed up and started yelling at me. I knew I deserved it, I was stupid. However, when my step-dad started calling me worthless, useless, a danger to society, and saying I should be in a mental hospital, I got really pissed. Everyone started screaming at each other and the doctors ordered my parents out of the room. After I had a gash on my head, the only real threat to my life, stitched up, I moved in with Maddie. My mom called and apologized a few times, but after the fourth time, I told her to never call me again.

And she hasn't.

I just got off the plane and sighed happily. Miami, Florida- how I've missed this place.

I went through all the aggravating stuff about airports and eventually walked out the front doors to the big building. My mom was supposed to pick me up, and after a few minutes, I heard my name.

"Mandy?" I turned to respond from the voice, it was my mom.

"Hey!" I called out as I walked over. We hugged each other tightly, then both jumped in the car. We talked all the way back to her house. I filled her in on everything that happened to me these past seven years. Turns out, she already knew I was in a band, and kept up with our location and music until I quit. I informed her about Max and our baby, and my current living arrangement.

She asked me what my relationship with Ronnie was, and I struggled with a way to explain it. For about a month and a half, we stayed friends, but hooked up just a few times. We knew it was nothing serious, and that it would probably come to an end after the baby was born, when I had no time left for myself.

When we arrived, we walked inside and I was greeted by the person who all but sent me away.

Roger. My step-father.

I nodded my head in acknowledgement, and he did the same. I guess neither of us are completely over what happened eight years ago. My mom broke the awkward silence.

"Well, your brother is on his way. We're all going out," she said. We sat talking for a few minutes, then a car pulled up. My brother stepped out of it and began walking towards the house. I haven't talked to him in eight years either. He let himself in and stopped in his tracked when he saw me.

"Who is she?" Garreth asked.

Well, that hurt.

"Your sister, dipshit," I said with an eye roll. His eyes widened, then lowered to my seven month baby bump.

"Oh, hey, Mandy," he said cheerfully. I smiled a little.

I remembered who the fuck you were, jerk.

Once everyone was ready, we all piled into my mom's car and drove off to a restauraunt we liked when we were younger. We were seated quickly and it wasn't long before I ordered. I really wanted some steak, so that's what I got. With fries, a baked potato, and mozzarella sticks. We talked all throughout dinner, and I was filling in Garreth about me, my music, my baby, the father, everything that has happened in these past seven years, basically. I even shared a few words with Roger.

All in all, I had a great night, surprisingly . I was planning to stay a few nights, and I was so grateful for that when I got back in the car and realized how tired I was. When we got home, it was seven thirty P.M and I was basically walking dead. I went to the room I would be staying in for the next few days, slowly changed clothes, and crawled into bed. Despite my apprehension about reinstating contact with my mom, I was so glad I did.