She found her new house at the end of a long street of large houses. It was made of stone and brick, a big change from her old house which like all other suburbs was wood and drywall. It had an old feeling, like a European house, that she found appealing. She walked towards the door, but suddenly a fear swept though her, what if her mother was home? She wasn't ready for that. She would use the back door.
Around the back she found a large garden, clearly made for decoration, not for food and very clearly well kept. In in sat a woman, sipping on an appletini, with long golden hair, fair skin, and a body that didn't tell that she had born two children, sunning herself. Athena had never met Clair McMillan, but she was sure this was her. Her new mom. Shit.
"Hello Beth nice to see you." she put extra emphasis on the Beth, driving it home like a spike.
"Hi" Athena said back. The way her mom had said her new name, forceful, but yet with a casual nature, made it feel like it actually was her name.
"That's a nice dress, one of yours? You're developing into quite a talented young woman."
Had she made this dress? It didn't seem like something that was within her skills, she was always just taking other dresses from Savers and mixing and matching and using what she could.
Once again her new mothers voice struck her, the way she had said developing into a talented young woman, as if she was driving her towards becoming something important and powerful. There was an air off her mother of importance, of power, of knowing she was the best.
'um not really, it's a new thing." Athena replied, doubting she had made something so nice, but not knowing about it.
"Don't stutter dear, ladies don't say "um"."
"Sorry" Athena replied, as she slowly made her way towards the door to the house. "I've got to do some homework now." she said excusing herself and trying very hard not to stutter.
"Are you Sure about that Beth, You know I'd love it if you tried out for the squad. I just know it'd be good for you, Sarah says she can get you a place in Varsity, if your good."
Athena was suddenly annoyed by this.
"Mom, I want to be called Athena, And You know that Cheerleading is more Sarah's thing. Let me be Me." which was ironic since she didn't know exactly what that was.
"It could be your thing as well, it would be good if you shared more with her, she wants you too, and you know you'd be great at it. It opens so many doors for you..."
"No thanks."
"Just promise me you'll think about it, it's in a week."
"No, it's not me, I've got homework."
and with that she left and went to her room. Her new mother sitting there, frustrated.
It wasn't until Athena reached the kitchen she realized she had called Clair "mom".
