Don't Forget

“Hey Mom, Mia’s here, we’ll be in my room.” Connor shouted as he rushed up the stairs pushing Mia forward.

“Hey leave your door open Mr.!” Mia heard Connor’s Mom call before Connor closed and locked his door. His room door had two locks as if it was an apartment all in itself.

“Shouldn't you listen to your mom?” Mia was nervous. This was only her second time hanging out with Connor and she was already locked in his room alone with him.

“No one listens to her,” Connor said, “Most of the time she doesn't know what she’s talking about.”

“Won’t she be mad?”

“Dad’ll deal with it when he get’s back from work.” Connor grabbed a Spider-Man comic off his book shelf and plopped on his bed. When Mia didn't move from her spot by the door he sighed closing his book again, “Chill, I’m an adult. She raised me, we have an understanding.”

“Right,” Mia said.

She still didn't move. Honestly she didn't know how to. Connor was a gorgeous alien species to her and she was in his domain. His bed was queen sized with red and black bedspread. He had two black walls and two red walls. His band posters were framed and his porn posters weren't. The ceiling had all kinds of line green glow in the dark stars and moons. Mia was having a hard time just taking it all in along with the reality of being locked in this room with Connor.

“You don’t know how to chill do you?”

“Sure I do.” Mia lied.

“And you’re a really bad liar? Man, we've got our work cut out for us.” Connor said.

He stood up flinging his book over his shoulder so it plopped open on his bed. He took Mia’s hand and lead her across his room through a door. He flicked the switch to reveal a small white bathroom. He turned Mia to face herself in the mirror.

“We better start now or we’ll be here all day.”

“Start what?” Mia asked looking up at him.

“Eyes forward Cadet,” He commanded and Mia looked forward again, “Why, your training of course.”

“Training?” Mia was so confused.

“Do you want to be Jason’s Victim when you start school again in August or do you want to Mia Price?”

Hearing her rapist’s name jarred her. Where had Connor learned that name? Our Dads know each other so...Dammit Dad! Stop talking about me!

“Well?” Connor nudged her.

“I-I want to be m-me-myself I mean.”

“Gold Star!” Connor pat Mia’s head, “Now tell me Mia Price what do you see?” He gestured to the mirror.

“Our reflections,”

“C'mon you can do better than that.” Connor said. He closed the toilet lid so he could sit, “Eyes Forward. Tell me what you see.”

“My ugly hair that’s not really curly or straight. I need another hair cut. My clothes never fit right because of these fat pockets,” Mia clutched her breasts briefly before continuing, “My mom’s stupid nose. My eyes, God, I hate my eyes the most. My mom’s glazed over bedroom eyes.” She sobbed, “I look so much like her. That’s why he”-

“I’m gonna have to stop you there.” Connor’s voice interrupted her. She had all but forgotten he was there, “Here,” He handed her some tissue, “Clean yourself up.” Mia was so embarrassed. She wished she could disappear. This was a bad idea.

“I’m sorry,” Mia said. She turned to leave and Connor grabbed her wrist.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Home,” Mia shrugged, “It’s only a thirty minute walk.”

“We've only just gotten started, and that was just a diagnostic test.” Connor said, “Now I have to take you under my wing. Girl, you've got more issues than Seventeen Magazine.” In the last sentence he sounded so much like his father Mia almost thought his dad had somehow possessed him for a moment, “It wouldn't be very neighborly for me not to train you.”

“Neighborly?” Mia snorted then quickly put the tissue to her nose to stop the snot. He’d just seen her break down. That was a bit beyond Neighborly. Only a bit… Her mind whispered.

“Yes neighborly, stay?” Connor said. His thumb brushed over her wrist. Such a small gesture, but so tender. How could she say no?

“OK,” Mia said.