Speak To Me

(Jolie)

I was not looking forward to this..not one freaking bit and the fact that Alder couldn't come, makes things that much harder. I don't even know what's happening between the two of us..just this past week alone he has stayed at my apartment every night since our first date. We haven't really had the exclusive talk yet..he says things like he hasn't felt this way before..or that he feels like he has known me forever..but still, a small part of me is scared that it might be too good to be true.

I know that's the insecurities and past experiences talking..I just can't stop them from creeping in.

So once I saw that car outside of my parent's house, I felt my stomach drop. I knew it was most likely Matteo's, all he ever drove were Mercedes..and I am pissed. I told my mom not to invite him.

A part of me wanted to just leave and skip out on the whole thing. But maybe this is my chance to put an end to this whole thing, not just with my mom..with Matteo too. The texts still haven't stopped and I swear I saw this same car parked outside of my apartments two days ago. I do plan on bringing that up as well..in front of my mother. That way she can realize the crazy she has brought into my life.

I glanced over, seeing Rylan holding Matilda's hand and I couldn't help but smile. Seeing her step out of that car was definitely a huge surprise.

Mrs. Martinez was one of our ballet instructors. She worked there for a good ten years, and one day, she was just gone. All the kids really loved her and felt at home with her.

Then there was Tilly who stood in the back watching..she was such a shy and quiet girl but also the sweetest. She would help her mom any way she could and waited there patiently, never complaining for a second.

I always wondered why she wasn't dancing in the class with us..because I knew she could. I saw it once for myself. It was one evening when I forgot my bag in the classroom and had to run back to get it.

I stood in the doorway, hearing the piano music playing that we had just danced to, prompting me to peek through the small crack.

There she was, doing every single move flawlessly..even better than our lead had done that day.

I asked my mom later on why she wasn't dancing with us and she said her mother didn't want her to. I guess the company even offered their employees free classes for their kids but Mrs. Martinez turned it down. I never understood why..but I let it go, thinking they must've had their reasons.

Besides, my mom always liked to spread gossip, even if some of the rumors weren't true..so the credibility on that is questionable.

"If you feel uncomfortable at any point, just tell me okay?" Rylan whispered to Tilly, making me smirk as I saw something in my brother that I hadn't seen before..he was nervous..like sweat on his brow and tripping over his feet type of stuff.

Wow..he must really like her. And I can't blame him...Tilly was always a beautiful girl even when she was younger..her unique eye color alone was enough to draw you to her. But now, she looked so naturally elegant and beautiful. She was flawless..she even had the body of a dancer... wondered for a moment if she still danced.

Before I could say anything, the front double doors swung wide open, surprising the three of us as my mom stood there in a freaking light blue evening gown as some type of instrumental music began to play.

I froze in my tracks, seeing Rylan have the same reaction as me while Mom came striding out with a violinist following behind her. Acting like the freaking Queen of England or something.

This has to be a joke..did I fall and hit my head on the way over here? This can't be real..

That's when my dad popped up behind her..looking not so pleased as he stared at my mother in disbelief. At least he was on the same page as us..

"Welcome, I am so happy to have you at our ho..oh..do I know you?" My mother suddenly said, cutting herself off as she blinked her eyes at Tilly in confusion.

"Um yes..Mrs. Wilson, I am." Tilly began when the violinist suddenly seemed to hit some type of groove as the music became increasingly louder, making it hard to hear.

That's when my mom turned on her heel, waving her hands at the young man dismissively, trying to shoo him away.

"Okay yes..you did your job. You can go back inside now." My mother rushed out, dismissing the man and I had to stifle the laugh that threatened to explode out of me.

It was like something out of a movie, I swear..

"Sorry about that, he is my friend Shelly's son..an aspiring musician and all that." She explained, making my dad do a facepalm as Rylan just stood there frozen with Tilly beside him. Their faces probably mirrored my own.

Tilly shared a look with Rylan, almost making him burst into laughter as my Dad came swooping in to save the day.

"Sweetheart..perhaps we can save the theatrics for after dinner..we don't want to scare the poor girl away." Dad began, giving Rylan a sympathetic smile as my mother stepped closer to them.

"No, I swear I know you from somewhere..you seem so familiar." Mom began, studying Tilly intently.

"Perhaps you served us at that place we went to last week..what was it called honey? El Toro?" My mom asked Dad, making my jaw drop..did she seriously just say that? Does she have no freaking clue how rude that was?! "Actually, Mom this is Matilda Martinez. Her mother used to teach Jolie at the Dance Academy she went to as a kid." Rylan said firmly..all that humor we found in this before now gone.

"It's okay Rylan." Tilly suddenly said, placing her hand on his arm.

"Oh..I see..I didn't mean to be rude, my son explained how he met you at the restaurant where you worked..and you just seemed so familiar." Mom explained sheepishly.

"So you thought it was the Mexican restaurant you ate at last week?" Rylan snapped, making my dad wince. Yeah..it did sound pretty bad..but sadly, my mom was always unaware about shit like this..

"Oh sweetheart, it was just a simple mistake..you know I'm not like that..in fact, our family is very close with the Hernandez family..perhaps you know them?"

"Welp, that's it..we aren't doing this." Rylan suddenly snapped, making my mom blink rapidly as dad came over, stepping between them.

"Caroline, why don't you go in and check on dinner." My dad said sternly, making my mother glance between us in confusion before nodding once.

"I-I will just be inside then." She whispered and turned back to the house before walking in.

"This is ridiculous Dad..we haven't even walked through the door yet." Rylan said, darting his gaze towards Tilly before frowning.

"I'm sorry about this..maybe we should just leave." Rylan said once again, making Tilly stare up at him worriedly.

"I will speak with her. I know it's a lot son..I apologize for her behavior Tilly, their mother doesn't think before speaking sometimes." My dad sighed, seeming embarrassed by mom's antics...which I am too. "And what about the guest she invited? We all know Matteo is here..has mom told you what's been going on with that?" Rylan asked, making me stiffen.

"Rylan..it's okay..I will handle that on my own." I said, meaning it fully. I wanted to do this..not just to shut Matteo down, but to make it very clear that mom needs to stop this shit.

"What happened? What does he mean sweetheart?" Dad asked me worriedly, making me sigh.

"Matteo has just been bugging me a little.." I grumbled, making Rylan scoff.

"A little? He has been harassing you..non stop texts and I'm sure a lot more than you are telling me." Rylan grumbled, making Dad stiffen.

"Is this true Jolie? Your mother told me the two of you were seeing one another." Dad said, making me laugh..oh god..this woman is insane!

"No daddy..we aren't..and I'm going to make that very clear once and for all." I gritted through my teeth before stepping past my father and marching into the house. This ends tonight...