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.”

her, though. I’m her only son, and she almost died giving birth to me. She got into complications during the labor that resulted in her not

I had a long flight, Edmund. I hope we

responses

when Edmund plays a 90’s song. I can’t help but hum as the song plays softly above my head.

her 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

watched it many times on YouTube. So you don’t have to worry. Lizzy won’t let me try it on her hair though,” I say, separating the first section into three sections, then twist it and cross

her arms drape on my thighs. “I trust you, Bash. But make sure you do it fast. You still have to help me choose my

head down. “Stay still if you want me to finish this fast.”

Easy there, tiger!” She whines, hitting

do the first braid perfectly. “Look at this, Tri. It’s perfect!”

at me. “It’s perfect, Bash. Thanks!” she chirps, hugging my right

***

legs and tap my fingers on my knee. I forget

room, wearing a baby

smiles at me. “What do you think of this?”

at her without expression on

Her shoulders

I’m not color-blind,” I snap, rolling my eyes.

like blue,” she

I take a deep

her sometimes. Okay, maybe most of the time. She cried and hid away from me for days until I apologized. I

colorful. You have nice

thought you hate my hair and my freckles,

on my seat as the sales lady approaches us. “I said pale, and I did not say translucent. Ms. Jenna, can

“Choose a perfect dress for her?”

idea. “I know what’s perfect for her. She got a beautiful skin with redhead and green eyes.” Ms. Jenna scans the dress one by one until she stops and grabs the black, red, and green

on. The size

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, and she

girlfriend, Alesha yelling at Trinity in the gym during their P.E class. I just finish

face turns red with anger. She

right time. That’s why I’m telling you now. Do you even have a

go to that lousy dance or prom. That’s for brainless cheerleaders who

curve to smile. I can’t help but

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

my best friend and not my 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 in the