Bashing Trinity

BASH

The chilly air wraps my skin as soon as I step out of my family’s private jet. I inhale deeply the smell of New York City—the city that never sleeps.

Welcome Back, Bash!

It’s good to be back!

The skyline buildings, the noises, the lights, and the New Yorkers—I miss all of them. I get inside of the black Rolls Royce of my Grandpa Mike. My stomach churns at the thought of being back.

When I think I get myself prepared for this, but I am wrong, and the anxiousness starts crawling in my skin. Now that I’m here, I want to go back to London and stay there for the rest of my entire life.

But I promised my family that once I finished college, I will be back—that’s one of the two reasons why I’m here.

“Welcome back, Sir Bash!” The family driver of early forties greets me with courtesy; he turns to me and nods from the driver seat. “I’m Edmund Russell. Your driver, Mr. Hughes.” He extends his hand, and I immediately grip it for a handshake.

“Thank you, Edmund. Please, call me Bash if you would like to stay as my driver.”

“Sure, Bash,” he says with hesitant, “when your family is not around,” he adds with a salute.

I chuckle. “Good. Now, let’s head home.”

“Yes, sir,” he replies with enthusiasm.

I glance at him one more time before I smile. I can’t help but amaze at the astounding city lights of array colors as we pass by, the colossal skyline buildings that stand tall from afar, the neon lights that flicker in different colors, and billboards flash with advertisements that blur through the car window.

My emotions start to swirl in my belly. There’s something about New York that you can’t find in any place in the world. It’s maybe because I still consider this my home?

New Yorkers are still busy even at this past midnight hour. Indeed this city never sleeps. The yellow cabs and the chaotic traffic remind me that I’m finally back in New York.

“Bash, your parents directed me to send you to your Penthouse, but first, I will drive you to Hughes’s mansion.” His deep voice bashes me out from my thoughts.

“Sure. Like you can say no to my dad.”

He chuckles, “That’s actually from Mrs. Hughes. Your mom, Bash.”

I roll my eyes. “Of course. Her baby boy is back.”

she almost died giving birth to me. She got into complications during the labor that resulted in

go then. I had a long flight, Edmund. I hope we

“Sure,” he responses shortly.

song. I can’t help but

room while I’m on her pink bed. I start separating her tangled curly red hair into two sections, then twist up the second section, and secure it with a hair clip.

don’t trust me, Tri? I watched it many times on YouTube. So you don’t have to worry. Lizzy won’t let me try it on her hair

it fast. You still have to help me choose my dress for

you want me to finish this fast.” I

whines, hitting

goldfish,” I say between laughs. I do the first braid perfectly. “Look at this, Tri.

glimmer as she looks at me. “It’s

***

I’ve been sitting patiently in the dress boutique for almost thirty minutes. Trinity has chosen three dresses she likes. I cross my legs and tap my fingers on my knee. I forget to bring my Airpods with me, so I have to hum some songs in my head.

the fitting room, wearing a baby blue ankle-length

“What do you think

without expression on my

blue.” Her shoulders

I snap, rolling my eyes.

“But we like blue,” she insists.

take a deep

her to help me draw and sketch. Since then, we started to get along. But I couldn’t help myself not to annoy and bully her sometimes. Okay, maybe most of the time. She cried and hid away from me for days until I apologized. I needed her to help me with my art classes. I’d rather choose her to help me than the art tutor that my parents paid. I can say, I enjoy

have nice skin color, your hair,

“I thought you hate my hair and my freckles, and my skin is translucent.”

us. “I said pale, and I did not say translucent. Ms. Jenna, can you please help my girlfriend here.” I stand up and wrap my arm around Trinity’s exposed shoulder. She ends up elbowing me.

a perfect dress

some idea. “I know what’s perfect for her. She got a beautiful skin with redhead and green eyes.”

on. The size fits for you, dear.”

school from grade school to high school, and we become best friends. Sometimes, I think of her as a lesbian because she never dates anyone. Unlike me, I dated some girls, but I broke up with them when they started to be mean to Trinity,

the gym during their P.E class. I just

other way around!” Trinity responds. Her face turns red with anger. She tells me

why I’m telling you now. Do you even have a date for prom? I bet nobody asks you yet, right?”

brainless cheerleaders who want

smile. I can’t help but

his loser of a maid!” Alesha yells again. Students are already circling while Trinity and Alesha are in the

maid. I sprint toward them and push two students to give me away. Alesha’s eyes widen when she notices my presence. Trinity doesn’t look at me