AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I'm okay with staying away from athletes.”
I shook my head and blew out a long, slow breath. This wasn’t the conversation I was expecting to have with her today. “You know, I’d love it if you at least tried with the sorority,” she said meekly, guilting me the only way that a mother could. “They said they haven't heard from you in over a month.”
Of course, she knew. 'Once a sister, always a sister,' but unfortunately for me, that worked to my detriment. She knew everyone's business to where I thought she might just come here and check it out. I bet she knew I was rude to Rachel, and she'd been spending time behind the scenes, trying to butter her up even though I'd been avoiding them all like the plague.
“I've been busy.”
“Busy with classes you've already finished, and taking on work that you don't need to.”
“I may not need to, but I enjoy it.”
“Can we make a deal?” She asked, sitting up a little straighter with a mischievous grin on her face. She was up to something, but I didn't know what.
“A deal?” My mind reeled, trying to think of all the things she could suggest, but much like my friends list, I came up empty.
“Yeah, a deal.” She was smiling brighter now, and I hated to say it, but it was the happiest I'd seen her in a long time. “Did you know the Spring Sorority Ball is coming up next month?”
“Nope,” I popped out, already knowing I was going to reject her offer if it meant I'd have to attend that.
“Well, you do now. How about if you agree to go, then I'll call the doctor's tomorrow and get a date for my surgery?”
“Really?” I paused in disbelief because she couldn't be serious, could she? “You’re going to use your impending death against me?”
She cackled so loudly I could have sworn people eating their dinner outside could hear. “Well, I may not have long to blackmail my daughter, so I’d like to do it while I still can.”
“Mom. That’s so dark, and I'm not sure how I feel about that.”
“I'm not sure how I feel about being sick, so we're in this together.”
I paused. “You know, I could just tell you I was going, so you'd call the doctor tomorrow and then not show up.”
“You know,” she mimicked my smart-aleck response. “I could always arrange the surgery and not show up.”
“Wow, you're going all in on this, aren't you?”
“I have no choice. I want to see you having fun with some people your age.” I rolled my eyes on a sigh. “Is it a deal?”
Another deal? What was it with me and deals today? First Ralph, and now my own mother.
Attending the Ball would mean that I'd have to speak to Rachel and her gaggle of girls before then, but I could potentially limit that as much as possible. Connor would probably be around since he was apparently dating Rachel, but would that impending embarrassment be worth it?
Of course.
My mom getting better was my number one priority. We may bicker, but my mom was everything, and she knew that.
“Fine. I’ll see if Rachel will let me attend the ball, but that’s it. I’m not agreeing to join or anything.”
With a small, pleasant smile on her face, she raised her hands and bowed her head. “That’s all I ask. I just want you to have some fun.”
And it was a big, damn ask, but I’d do it, because I’d do anything for her.
“Are you going to dinner now? You must be hungry.”
“Yeah, I’m by the canteen, so I’ll probably get something before I go up and finish one of my essays. Why?”
“Because I’m tired. I think I’m going to take a nap. Is that okay?”
My heart sunk, because as annoyed as I was about the whole deal, I would do anything if it meant she’d get better.
