Angel Cake

AURORA

“Mom!” I called as I closed the front door behind me and made my way down the hall, “Kitchen!” mom replied. She was busy making lunch, she always made me think of her as a big-time chef when she would wear her apron. “Hi mom” I greeted her with a quick kiss on her cheek and grabbed a grape.

Mom is way prettier than me. Her long auburn wavy hair are held together in a low ponytail and right now her grey eyes are looking at me curiously. My folks are my besties, we do everything we can together. They are the first two people I tell anything and yeah I have zero friends even though I am not even that smart. “What’s up Angel cake?” mom asked because she knows me so well. I sigh dramatically and slump down on the stool “I have to tutor stupid Rudi Charleston,” she looks at me like she feels bad for me “Do you not have a say in the matter?” she asks. I drop my head on the island “No, Mr Paulson was not taking no for an answer since I do not have any other extra-curricular activities,” I see an idea forming in my mom’s mind “James, Rudi’s dad and I are going to be spending a lot of time together designing the bedrooms at his new hotel. So maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad thing if you helped out” she suggests and places the grilled fluffernutter in front of me “You know how daddy feels about boys, so you will need to work something out,” she reminds me “Okay fine and yeah I have. I told Mr. Paulson that daddy wants me home after school so Rudi will have to come to our house for those sessions. He agreed, but he is yet to let that boy know”. I answered and dug into my delicious lunch. “Mr Paulson can’t argue, because even though James is the richest parent, daddy is still the most powerful,” mom remarked and started cleaning up.

“Honey, I’m home” daddy hollered from the door just like I had done earlier.

“Living room” mom answered and I could hear the excitement in her voice. I swear these two act like they haven’t been married for over twenty years. Probably because daddy is always away, right now he is returning from a week-long business trip. I know what daddy does and he keeps telling me that I have to be ready to take over. He barely got into the room and mom and I were on him, showering him with hugs and kisses. “My two most favourite people in the whole world. God, I missed you!” he said and gave us our respective kisses. Mine on the cheek and mom’s passionate one on the lips.

We sat down for dinner and of course, the conversation flowed as usual.

“and what’s this I hear about you tutoring some boy?” daddy asked curiously, but also sounding kind of intimidating.

“Ah, just some dumb boy,” I answered, I never really cared for anyone at my school and I never really liked talking about school either unless it was very important.

Mom answered since I resumed my eating “It’s James Charleston’s boy, Rudi. Mr Paulson requested Aurora to help him out.” She enlightened him and took a sip of her red wine.

Daddy look a bit enraged “He requested my daughter to help some rich kid? Could James not afford a tutor for his son?” he asked. I decided to just focus on my food and let mom handle this “Grant, my love, calm down. He only did it because Aurora doesn’t have any other extra-curricular activities,” mom answered placing her hand over daddy’s fist.

“So, our training sessions are nothing?” he asked, I wanted to answer and tell him that I would manage, but mom took it upon herself to counter “Grant please, your training with her is not as frequent and she does them on her own in the mornings. So, she will manage, just let her hang around people her own age for once” she pleaded and that seemed to calm him down “okay and Angel, I am proud that you keep on training even without me,” he said smiling at me.

“Of course, daddy, I also let Mr Paulson know that I will only tutor that boy here.” Those words put him even more at ease. He nodded “Your reasoning and sense of responsibility are admirable Angel.” He answered.

Dinner went smoothly after that and by dessert, we were back to making jokes and planning stuff. I know how much mom had missed her man, so I went to bed early.

Today is going great, I actually do not have any homework on this freaking Wednesday. I had kind of forgotten about helping Rudi, but Mr Paulson had reminded me before the last period. Okay I know you are wondering why I am so against helping this boy who is clearly in need, so I am going to spill. Rudi is the reason I lost my faith in humans; we actually almost became friends. My folks and I moved here when I was eight and Rudi was the first person I talked to, but when school started he totally changed. He started bullying me and only stopped when his dad told him about my dad and that his bullying is bad for business because daddy thinks of me as his princess. After that everyone either wanted to befriend me because of my dad’s status or they stayed away because of it. Eventually, I decided it was best to not mix with anyone and they don’t bother me either.

“Hey, Aurora” I got snapped out of my walk down memory lane. Looking up from my tablet I see it’s Rudi. He is not ugly; he is actually very attractive. His hair is a dirty blonde colour and his forest green eyes go well with that shirt he is wearing. “Hey,” I say back. He stands awkwardly rubbing his neck “uhh… thank you for agreeing to help me study. I know you still hate me” he said shifting uncomfortably to his other foot. Breathing out a deep sigh I answer “Yeah sure, no problem. Meet me at my house after school.” I said and got up to leave.