♟️twenty-three | Tristan

♟️Until I Found You by Stephen Sanchez

❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎

"Atlas wants to be a Mechanical Engineer, his idol is, please don't let anyone make fun of this, but it's Tony Stark, I watched the MCU movies and series with them, and he is a hardcore fan of Tony, so he wants to attend MIT. Athena is indecisive into being a professional ballerina or a marital lawyer, so she's either with Julliard or Harvard in mind, and her idol is none other than Barbie."

"They both dream on visiting Paris and Venice, so, if one day you could, it would be nice, we didn't get money enough for that, but I hope they will be able to, no need to be with you, you don't need to bother. Hmmm, what else?" She ponded to herself. "Atlas's favorite color is sunset orange, Athena's hot pink, he loves Harry Potter, she loves Percy Jackson, he loves summer, she loves spring, he loves Norse mythology, she loves Greek mythology, he loves to wear sport sneakers, she loves to wear fluffy dresses and delicate sandals. Um, both like to read books, she's scared of giraffes, he's scared of butterflies and roaches."

"I help them with their homework, and they are the top of their grades, I already got their transfer documents for the second semester, they are both in 5th grade, and they are not so used to luxury. They are best friends and do everything together. Ah, fuck, I have to ask you to keep an eye on Atlas, his heart is butter melting and he falls in love easily, he'll definitely be a heartbreaker because he got a different crush per week, his type are sun-kissed and tanned girls with dark hair. Athena falls in love more rarely, but also does, she plays hard to get, and she likes taller boys with curly hair and light eyes, nothing much specific."

Sigh, "I think that's all you need to know beforehand, they will feel better if you pretend to have been curious and asked me about them, it'll make them feel special as they should. I did what I could, it may not be enough to you or reach your step-son's level of perfection, but I did my best with the limitations I had. They have etiquette, don't worry. I just need you to sign my emancipation, I'll keep tabs on them, but I won't bother your life, or your husband's, I dont need your money, or anything else. I'll stay with a friend of my dad from work who's pitying my situation, and use the money I got from my sport competition's prizes that I had been saving up."

"They don't need monthly allowance, as rich people give their kids, they aren't greedy or anything, they won't be parasites on you for money, I taught them better than that, as I also taught a little bit of financial education to them. Nothing much, since I don't know that much about it, but enough for their age. Don't hush them to mature, let them enjoy their childhood, you fucked mine, don't do that to them, it's not fair, they will already suffer enough without dad around. They are kind, they like hugs and forehead kisses, and they aren't heartless like most perceive me to be, thanks for that, by the way," she mocked.

"Just... take care of them, I did it until then, it'll be easier now that their morals are formed, and they have good hearts, they are just a little bit sensible, don't be harsh on them, and no need to physical punishment, talking in a peaceful tone does it for them, they aren't so prideful, stubborn, and reckless as I am. They like friendly competition, both swim, can pedal on bikes, have a good cardio and can run well, their weight is on point, and they will probably be taller than me, as they seem to be taking after dad. Well, they physically look like you, you will probably like that, I hope. I'll drop them with you tomorrow, and then you,"

"Enough, Aella," mother exclaimed, looking extremely hurt, but I don't know with who, and the girl stopped. "I won't sign the emancipation."

A horrid gasp came from the phone, "I don't want to live with you, Juliette, and believe me, you don't want to live with me either, alright? I am not stable, my temper is horrible, I'm hostile, your husband hates me, you dislikes me, I'll be a permanent memory of my dad because I look a lot like him, and no one will be comfortable with me in there. I hold grudges, I am bitter, I have trust issues, mommy and daddy issues, anger issues, and I can't hold my damn tongue. I curse a lot and I have a hard time following rules," she said it all fast, her tone as hostile as when I met her.

"I will not fit in your perfect world, because I'm not perfect, I'm as fucking broken as one could be, I am so broken, that my old therapist had to seek a therapist after having a glimpse in me, yeah? I am too damn competitive, I can't stand provocations, and I have a feeling me and your perfect step-son will not get along. I won't be able to live with you without," she halted, struggling, "thinking that I'm a fucking burden, that I'll never be enough, and without remembering how little importance I had in your damn life, yeah? You hurt me, mom, and I won't stand being in the world you abandoned me for," she snapped the last sentences, crying.

"Fuck, I hate this. You're the last fucking person in the fucking world who should hear me like this. I hate it. Hah, I bet you think I'm weak, right? I bet you thinking crying is a weakness, that could be it, dad said I cried a lot as a kid, so, maybe that could be the problem with me. I'm weak, I'm insufficient, I'm unlovable. I already know all of that, I don't need you to snap and throw that on my face, or to say I'll never be as good as your step-son, that's more your son than I am your daughter," then we heard the sound of some glass breaking. "Fuck, fucking damn it."

"What was that?" Mother gasped, worried.

"Me being a mess, that's what it was," she snapped, still crying, still angry. "I... have a little more strength in my body than normal kids do, and with my anger issues and instability, that doesn't end well. Fuck, the twins will be worried, fuck, fuck, Aella, fuck. Fuck," sigh. "Just sign the emancipation."

"No," mother said firmly. "You are my daughter, and it's time that you live with me. The twins will miss you, you can't be separated. Besides, I want to make up to you, Aella. Sure, you're right, I've been a coward and a horrible mom to you, but, I'm still your mother. Leaving the US will he good for you, you've always been smart, you will do well in Tristan's school. I bet you two could get along, he's a good kid, and,"

A mocking laugh came from her, "I met him, and believe me, you don't want me near him, Juliette. Not if you love him."

"You met him?" Her eyes came to me.

"Yes," she hissed. "Him and his hockey team in past December in 2021, dad and the twins were with me. He had no idea who I was, but I couldn't help it, I'm a bad person, I was hostile because I'm bitter. And to my anger, he was an infuriatingly amazing hockey player, I didn't want to watch it, but Atlas begged me to let them stay and be with them, because he wanted to see his brother play. Hah, they even call him brother like dad incentivate them, I hate it, I'm jealous, they are my siblings not his. I can't be close to that annoying guy, Juliette."

"And why not?" Mother groaned annoyed.

"Because," she groaned, "he's hot as hell!"