Cobalt

0:3

Cobalt

0:3

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        Before I can even knock on our front door, the door is pulled open to reveal our maid, Nina, grinning ear to ear. This takes me by surprise, as she never comes 'round anymore.

        So what is she doing here? I want to ask her, but she just looks so happy to see me that I can't help the grin that spreads easily across my face. She pulls me in for a hug and I wrap my arms around her shoulders. I give her a half-smile and pull back.

        "Welcome home, darling!" She says quietly. I raise a brow, Nina's not the quiet type. So I look behind me to face the empty driveway. Frances and my dad weren't home so there was really no reason to whisper.

        I force a smile and make my way past the door frame. "I don't mean to be rude, but where have you been Nina?" Having the lady back home just makes my life at home a tad bit better.

        "Just got back from a hip surgery," she shrugs, "no big deal." She reminds me of an old lady, though she is far from one. But the way she always plays cards, jokes about the old times, and laughs at her own jokes really reminds me of my grandmother. Although my grandmother and Nina have their similarities, they also have many differences. For one, my grandmother lives in Florida. Nina's very self-centered, cares about her appearance, and doesn't look a day over thirty.

        My cat, Teddy, stalks into the room with a soft meow. Nina meets my gaze.

        "Brooke, do you remember when you were so scared of him?" She asks, changing the subject.

        We decide to make our way to the patio to continue our conversation. Out on the patio, we follow the walkway that leads to a small pond, one that I remember catching a red herring in, thanks to my dad and his sneaky ways. I take a seat on the edge of the pond and think of an excuse to get myself out of this conversation. I hate reminiscing.

        Although, knowing Nina, she isn't going to believe any lie I give her. Heck, she understands me more than my own father does. "I would hide behind Brett and his friends," I lightly nibble on my lower lip.

        Every emotion that I've managed to hide behind walls crumble down all with this conversation. I haven't cried since Cody's death, and I'm not about to cry now. 

        "Sweetheart, things aren't gonna get better for you if you keep it all bottled up," she replies as she crouches down to braid my hair.

        I shiver as her ice-cold fingers make contact with my scalp. "Do you think she'll kick me out if I fail another class?" I completely change the subject. I'm referring to Frances, my step-mother who's the real-life form of the wicked witch of the west.  

        Last month, I got some science test results back home. I remember it as if it were yesterday, the screaming, the threatening, I remember it all. Goose flesh  begins to appear on my forearms.

        Nina gives a shaky sigh. Instantly, I understood what that meant, she was unsure. "If I could send you with your mom, trust me, I would," she says as she bite at her bottom lip.

        "But that doesn't —" I begin to say, but I forget my train of thoughts. Both of our heads jerk up as we hear the brakes on Frances' BMW E23. Her sleek monster of a ride was like a panther. Powerful, swift and agile, with every muscle tensed up, just waiting to pounce on you, should you make a wrong move. As I hear the engine shut off, I pull in to hug Nina goodbye. "Try to be positive, okay sweet pea?" Her voice whispers in my ear. "I know that all of this is difficult for you, but don't let it get you down." She tweaks my cheek and gives me a push for the stairs.