Nightshade: A SimLit | Chapter 51: Tears

Tiffany sighed as she stared down at the math book in front of her. Usually, most of her homework was a breeze, but today she found herself confused by it. She tapped her pencil against the dining table impatiently as she began to lose her concentration. She really couldn't wait for summer vacation. It was only a few weeks until she was free of this stupid homework... 'I think I need help,' she thought. 'But I don't think it's a good idea to ask...'

Against her better judgement, she hesitantly called out. "Mom!"

In the distance, she could hear the television turn off and footsteps trudging through the kitchen.

"What the heck do you want?" Claire grumbled. 'Why did I agree to watch her while Onyx and Amelia went out? I knew she'd be nothing but trouble...'

"I just... needed some help with my math homework," Tiffany said. "Sorry if I'm bothering you..."

"You're always bothering me," Claire retorted. "Do I look like your personal math tutor? I don't think so."

Tiffany frowned. "But mom--"

"Don't even think about backtalking to me!" Claire snapped. "I bet you don't talk to Onyx or Amelia like that! You have more respect for them than your own mother! But you know what? That's fine with me. I'm sick and tired of you anyway."

Tiffany's eyes filled with tears. "I'm sorry," she muttered, looking down at the floor. 

"Sorry doesn't fix anything! You can be as sorry as you want, but I still have to put up with you! I wish you had never been born..." Claire continued, not hearing the front door open.

"I can't believe we sold all of my paintings!" Amelia exclaimed, smiling up at Onyx as they walked inside. "We made way more money than I thought, even though we got a few strange looks using umbrellas on a sunny day," she laughed. "We can do some more repairs and renovations to the house soon at this rate. And with your novel recently getting published..."

Onyx smiled as she spoke. "We're finally getting some financial stability. It's great. But, you know, those paintings sold so well because you're the most talented artist in the world."

She blushed. "Don't exaggerate..."

"I'm not, it's the truth." He grinned, but both of them fell silent when they heard yelling. 

"Claire," he murmured. "Great. What is she mad about this time?"

"I don't know, but it's undoubtedly involving Tiffany." Amelia frowned. "We can't even leave the house for a few hours..."

Onyx sighed. "I know. Let's just go see what's going on. It sounds like it's in the dining room."

She nodded and walked toward the dining room. Onyx followed alongside her, already feeling angry when they got close enough to hear Tiffany crying.

Claire was too caught up in her anger to her them approach. Her arms were crossed and she was glaring daggers at Tiffany, who was completely silent as her mother continued to insult her.

"Claire."

She fell silent as her name was spoken and furrowed her eyebrows, not bothering to glance in their direction. "What?"

"Why are you yelling at her like that?" Amelia asked, already sounding irritated with the situation. "Haven't you upset her enough? That's no way to be a parent. We only left for two hours and came back to chaos! I guess we should have known..."

Onyx silently went over to comfort Tiffany.

"She was bugging me!" Claire snapped. "She's nothing but a nuisance!"

"I just wanted help with my homework," Tiffany sobbed quietly. "I didn't mean to bother her..."

"I know," Onyx sighed and held his arms out to her. "Come here... I'm not letting her yell at you anymore."

"Okay." Tiffany sniffled as she stood up from the chair. 

"You criticize me for not parenting her, but then when I do, you try to parent her instead." Claire said. "I can't believe this crap..."

Amelia scowled at Claire. "We parent her because you don't. And when you do, if that's what you call this, it's pathetic." With that, she turned to Onyx and Tiffany. "Let's go upstairs."

The two of them nodded, and Claire simply rolled her eyes as everyone left her alone in the dining room. 'What right do they have to criticize me? At least I didn't completely abandon her like Jeremy...'

As soon as they reached Tiffany's room, Onyx stooped down and pulled her into a comforting hug. She was helpless to do much else but sob into his shoulder, and Amelia frowned as she knelt beside of them. 

"Don't cry..." Onyx's voice was soothing. "It's okay now."

"No one loves me!" Tiffany cried. "What did I do wrong? I don't understand..."

Amelia's expression softened. "That isn't true. You know that we love you, sweetie..."

Onyx nodded in agreement. "We love you very much. Even if it seems like no one else does."

"I know, but mom doesn't love me! And dad doesn't even come to visit anymore," Tiffany sobbed. "They don't want me..."

Onyx tightened his arms around her. "...I know." There was no point in trying to convince her that her parents loved her, or wanted her, because they both knew it would be a lie. "I'm sorry... but Amelia and I will always be here for you. They'll regret what they're missing someday." 

"He's right. You're our favorite girl in the whole world, you know. They're missing out on someone really special," Amelia smiled.

Tiffany sniffled. "R-Really?"

"Really." She nodded.

 "Don't ever forget how much we love you, Tiffany," Onyx said.

Even through her tears, Tiffany felt a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.