Seven: He seems Familiar

Bianca had gone to pick up Trixxy from school and she'd been really excited to not have to take the bus and also for the ice cream. They made a point of doing things like those together. She was all smiles, talking about school like it was such an exciting places to be. Meanwhile Bianca's favorite place to be was wherever her daughter was. And it was even better when they were hanging out, swapping ice cream flavors between them and catching up on after school cartoons that was the kind of thing Bianca needed after a long day.

She had actually decided to cover Elmer's shifts. Something she never thought she'd do. Her back was killing her, and she was going extra irritable. If she had stayed at work a minute longer it would be her last day there. Any slight inconvenience would have her losing her mind and quitting. That's how that would go, she'd quit. She wasn't going to let Jemma do the honours But she needed to gain Elmer's trust, she was the only one Bianca could count on.

" What about you, how was your day?" Trixxy asked, scooping a spoon full of caramel ice cream from her mom's bowl. They'd both order what the thought is their favorite flavor and then end up just stealing from each other's bowls till they ran out of ice cream. " You beat someone today?"

She wished.

" No. Mommy is trying to be more civil at work. "

" Strange. But we love the energy. Definitely working for me. "

Bianca laughed at her daughter's sass. She would never get used to the kind of relationship they had. Trixxy, she reminded herself, was worth everything she had to give up and she would do it ten times over for her.

" When are you going to tell me the bad news? I've been preparing for a while. " Trixxy asked, tucking her hand between the cushions in search of the tv remote. Hanging out with Bianca was always fun with the tv on. Even at her age, she knew how lucky she was that she could watch tv with her mom and not feel weird about it. Her peers would complain alot about having overbearing parents but it wasn't like that with them. And she did her part in ensuring it stayed that way. " The ice cream, the random kisses, you coming to pick me at school. And youre being peaceful at the job that you hate, something's up. "

The ice cream went sour on her mouth. She was going to tell her, but she didn't feel like it was the right time. Infact a part of jer thought it might be possible to transition jobs and move into a new house without her having to kmow anything. But Elmer was right, Trixxy was not stupid. Infact, she just wasn't not stupid she was actually very brilliant and observant, nothing went past her and the questions didn't stop coming when something didn't make sense to her. She really was a lot like her dad.

" Honey. I won't lie to you, things are really tight. But I'm going to figure it out okay? I don't need you worrying about this. But I might need you to stay at Elmer's for a while. "

Trixxys big round eyes fluttered, charge with curiosity and concern.

" Aunt El is no fun."

" I know, but she's the only one I trust with you."

If only her dad wasn't such a screw over. If only he hadn't been arrested, maybe he'd be able to help, maybe he'd chip in. Bianca wasn't even sure he'd want Trixxy. And the thought of Trixxy being rejected by her biological dad had her brain flashing with images of Gary's head bust open. The only reason she shook that reason off is because now Trixxy would have no one taking care of her.

" Why, what about you?Where will you be?"

Right, she remembered, and one more thing: She wasn't rich enough to afford a lawyer, she could barely afford herself, let alone her daughter. She couldn't afford such extents of recklessness.

" Let me be the parent here okay?"

"You say that all the time but it doesn't do what you think it does. I'm still worried. What can I do to help?"

Bianca's left eye teared before she could stop it. its like she hadn't even notice the whirlwind of emotions stirring within her. The topic was still such a sore subject, and it seemed like the wound only got deeper each time she talked or thought about it.

" You need to change out of your school uniform Trixxy. " She pulled the sleeves of her sweated into her fists and squeezed them under her eyes. He hot tears burnt her thumbs under the fabric as the soaked through. Trixxy didn't push. She'd seem her mother angry. It wasn't the kind of the she did not wish to walk into especially since they were having such a great time.

Bianca kept the lines of their relationship very bold and non negotiable. Trixxy wouldn't feel too comfortable and be rude to Bianca, she wouldn't lie to her whe it was about something important and most importantly she would let Bianca play the role of her mom. Which even though it had been tough she was well capable of, seeing as she was basically raising an angel.

To be fair ,Trixxy was an easy child to raise. Good grades, honest and wasn't up to some funny business atleast not yet. Between the two of them, it was actually harder to be Bianca's daughter. The unpredictability, and how comfortable she was being the bad guy had Trixxy stressed out sometimes. She hated when Bianca had to be in school for any reason. There was a very high chance of a scene being caused and Trixxy hated attention. Out of their tiny bubble,she didn't always like the person Bianca turned into. But Bianca didn't need to know this .

She felt pathetic. She'd been so all over the place lately. She drew on a few feel breath and turned the TV. Anything to look at would be nice, if she cried then what would she do at night? That's what her pillow was for, biting into, screaming into and practically melting her face into. She had thought about pressing it onto get face until it was all over but she knew that was one of thoughts she needed to just observe. No way in hell was Trixxy ever being raised by her dad. Not while she was still alive. Now that she thought about it, maybe that was the only reason she fought to be there for her.

As soon as the tv came on,her problems fell behind her. A slide show of one of the most gorgeous men she'd seen was playing. Most of the photos lookrf like he was at movie premiers and award shows, with expensive suits and occasionally with a drop dead gorgeous lady on his arm. Something about those big slightly bulged out eyes and how fierce their gaze was and those thick wavy brows caught her attention.

Kennedy Walsh's voice continued to play in the background while he discussed with that couple she really disliked while they discussed whether or not he was infact gay, she hoped for her sake she wasn't. All the fun came to an end when she spotted Vanessa in the background of one of the photos. Then in another one they were paused together looking all comfortable and cosy. Her teeth pressed together threatening to shatter and her fingers naturally folded and she squeezed them tight, imagining Vanessa's neck.

"Jealous much?"

"Whose jealous?" Bianca jumped, changing her posture and changing the station and pressing aggressively till she stopped at an episode of SpongeBob.

" Not me. Is it that you hate the Vannesaa Marisse, or do you like Barry Button." Her eyebrows wiggled playfully. She rushed over and squeezed in next to her mom such that they were almost sharing a cushion on a three sitter. She'd been watching her. She'd seen enough the past few minutes and was not going to be fooled that easily. Trixxy shared her interests in acting so ofcourse she knew their full names.

Then it clicked. Barry Button. Barry Button! That theatre kid had actually amounted to something? And how was she finding out just now he was related to that couple. Why did timing have to be so cruel and discover she was watching some shows written by some lame kid? One thing was for sure, the money was going to good use he looked like sin.

And what was that Kennedy had asked, whether their son was still obsessed with his high school crush? Bianca couldn't shake that thought away. Technically half the guys in her school were in love with her, and the chances that Barry was one of them was pretty decent. If that were the case then...an idea sparked inside her head, her eyes popping wide open. She could easily get answers to this question. Biana Matthews had hit a new low, she was going to read one of the books by the Buttons.