LIMITED STANDARDS

" they say family is everything, you'll ever need in life. what if your family is fucked up? does that count? "

ANNOYANCE. Sitting out in the hall of your dorm, letting your mother talk your ear off about college and how the last year is important, wasn't something I wanted to spend my time doing.

I wanted to sit and relax while I munched on snacks- watching EXTREMELY WICKED SHOCKINGLY EVIL AND VILE. A Ted Bundy movie that recently came out about his case(s). Something that'll help take the edge off me having finals literally next week.

My textbooks opened to their right pages. My notebooks opened to a clean-blank page, along with my pencils, highlighters, and pens. All ready to be used to copy down notes needed to help me study.

Yet, here I was. Getting a lecture from my mother about my last year being in college, which I didn't graduate until next year. I played with the scab that was on my left knee, wanting to peel it back as I listened to my mother ramble on about nothing.

“Neera. Are you even listening ?”

My attention turned away from the scab on my knee and I gave the attention back to my mothers face. I gave her a small smile, nodding.

“What did I say then?”

My breath hitches- I scanned my mind hoping to find something that I've heard her say recently throughout this entire phone call. I couldn't, what she was saying didn't intrigue me. What she was saying was something I already knew, something she tells me every year.

“Neera I just want you to graduate so you can come and work for me with your brother . And not get pregnant, I'm fine with one grandchild already.”

I rolled my eyes at her comment. Company this and company that. Don't get pregnant, I hated her. I knew she was my mother and I was supposed to love her because you only get one, yet I hated her with a undying passion.

“Mom I don't want to come work for you. Also, if I get pregnant you don't have to see your grandchild. Actually , I won't claim you as their grandmother. It's crazy my brother had a child and now that it's just him and his baby. I can't have one. That's fucked up in my book- but who am I right?”

I was pretty pissed off. She'd always say things like that and never apologize, joking about me never having kids whenever the family gathered for holidays. Saying that maybe I won't be fertile enough to have children.

My dad says different.

“Why is dad so much nicer than you? He wants me happy yet you just want me to live how you wanted to live. I'm not going in your direction mom.”

“After I stripped your father from all his earnings, he has no choice but to be nice. If you want go spend Christmas with him, don't bother coming home.”

My eyes rolled probably for the tenth-time today. She was always blowing things out of proportion, was I surprised? No, I've spent countless times over my fathers house for holidays. Less gossip I have to I hear about me being spilled at the dinner table.

“Fine. Don't bother coming to my graduation either then.”

I ended the call. Setting my phone to the side of me as I turned off the ringer, I knew she would start blowing up my phone. Trying to apologize, when even I knew it wasn't sincere. I ran a hand through my braids, just wanting to sleep already.

“Seems like somebody has family troubles.”

I look up to see my neighbor. Well, in my case that one annoying Junior that graduates with seniors, hence he's living in the senior dorm. I despised him.

“Stay out my conversation.”

I grabbed my phone and stood myself up. Dusting off my pants. He smirked and leaned against his door frame, arms crossed his chest.

“You were kinda loud actually, pretty sure the whole floor heard it.”

He fired back making me roll my eyes-yet again. I turned around and opened my door, walking inside I looked back at him.

“Goodnight Dean, don't talk to me again.”