Chapter 2: Changes
"Anastatia Gaia Vasilakis!" Oh No. My Mom must be really mad. I quickly scramble out of bed and rush downstairs. I find my Mom standing in front of the kitchen island, her arms folded with a smirking Max sitting next to her. Ah hell, I already know where this is going. "Tell me daughter of mine. Why is it that Max tells me you missed your self-defense class yesterday when I'm under the impression that it's what you left to attend in the morning?" she says through clenched teeth. This is not good. I quickly avert my gaze to Max whose smirk grows wider and I throw him a dirty look. "Uhhh…" I'm at a loss for words as I know I can't tell her the truth.
Instead of obediently attending my self-defense class like the good daughter that I am, I stupidly chose to go explore the huge forest that borders the way to the dojo. I couldn't help it, my curious nature got the best of me and the classes are boring anyway because I can defeat Max in less than ten seconds. I bet that's why he told on me. After I found a beautiful creek with a humongous weeping willow tree right next to it, its branches dipping into the slowly flowing creek, I couldn't help but sit there and enjoy the peace. The place was a glaring contrast to the rest of the forest which was dark and brooding. I'm gladl I ignored the forest's atmosphere, I wouldn't have found that place if I hadn't. I blissfully spent my whole day there sitting with my mind wandering everywhere just enjoying the sounds of nature. By the time I came to it was 12 at noon and time for me to go back home.
I look at my fuming mother and know I can't tell her the truth, at least not all of it. I quickly try to think of a way of avoiding telling the truth. My mom is like a hound dog, she can smell a lie from a mile away. I quickly look at Max again. I should have known that damn weasel would tell on me. Just because he didn't tell on me yesterday, I foolishly believed he'd keep he's mouth shut. "I'm sorry Mom, I was just feeling bad for Max, I didn't want to go to practice because I can already pin Max in less than ten seconds. I didn't want to embarrass him, and class is boring because he has nothing new to teach me." I look at my Mom apologetically; I internally pat myself on the back as I see her fury disappear and a look of pride crosses her face.
I quickly look at Max and boy does he look mad and embarrassed. I hold in my laugh and cough to cover up a snicker that comes out. My Mom throws me a look that clearly says she knows what I'm doing. I throw Max a smirk of my own and fold my hands then throw my left hip out in a sassy position. My Mom turns to Max "Is it true Maximilian?" Mom asks using his full name. I almost laugh at him again because I know he hates it when people refer to him so. "Well… Uh..." he stutters looking flustered, clearly not knowing how to answer my Mother. Mom raises her perfectly arched eyebrow at him. I watch as he swallows the lump in his throat.
"She's right…" he answered heaving a deep sigh and turning to the side to hide his beet red face. I internally cheer to myself and try hard to hide my victory smirk. My mother turned to me so I quickly schooled my face into a blank mask. I'm pretty sure I didn't fool her though, that woman has sharp eyes. Heck she has a sharp everything, especially her tongue. I thank the Goddess I haven't been scolded in a while, her tongue lashes are the cause for my nightmares growing up. "Well then Ana, I guess I have to take you to a different martial arts class." She says looking at me. "Go upstairs so I can talk to Max," she says giving me her no nonsense look. I quickly run up to my room thankful I distracted her.
I quickly collapse on my bed and take a deep breath then let it out. I know that I've distracted my Mom for now, but she's definitely going to ask where I went yesterday. I know for a fact that I can't really lie to her, but I definitely won't be givng too much detail. "Well that was a shitty thing to do. I know he's a prick sometimes but did you really have to embarrass him like that in front of your mom just as a cover up?" Aurora asks me disappointedly and I release a sigh. I know it was a bad move but I couldn't afford house arrest after just finding that beautiful place. I felt just as disappointed in myself.
I first heard Aurora's voice in my head when I was three years old. I thought she was my imaginary friend at first but as I grew older I realized that it wasn't quite so. I've read over a hundred books about psychosis and none quite explains her presence. I stopped looking when I was about 12 and just accepted her as part of me; she's my extra vocal subconscious. She's like a separate person yet she's like me in many ways. We're not so different really; she just has a calmer manner about her. In fact we never even argue; except for me not telling my Mom about her. Aurora's been adamant about telling my Mom about her presence. Mom and I don't keep secrets amongst us, but I can't get myself to tell her what's wrong. I've read enough books to know she will initially think I'm crazy. I'm not interested in going to the loony bin thank you very much.
I feel like I should really be telling my Mom about Aurora though, there's a chance she knows exactly what's happening with me. I'm just not sure if I actually want to take the chance of being labelled as loco. However slight that chance may be, maybe I should take the risk. "I've been telling you to fess up, go ahead and tell her," Aurora persuades me softly. I know she's right, I really don't feel right hiding this from my Mom. I close my eyes and sigh, "I'll tell her tomorrow, let me have today".
I get up to do my bed and clean up my room. I know that Mom will want to know the full story at breakfast in a few minutes. "Any idea on how to handle this? You know how Mom feels about me wandering about" I ask Aurora pitiably. "You're on your own", she says unfeelingly then settles down deep into my subconscious.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Sehkhmet
Sehkhmet Please forgive me for any typos, it's been challenging to write without autocorrect. Please feel free to comment any typos, arigato.
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