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.”

birth to me. She got into complications during the labor that resulted in her not getting pregnant again. Her doctors had to

long flight, Edmund. I hope we

“Sure,” he responses

Edmund plays a 90’s song. I can’t help but hum as the song plays

braid?” Trinity asks, looking up at me. She’s sitting on the floor in 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

her hair though,” I say, separating the first section into three sections, then twist it and cross it as it is shown on the video.

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 dress for the Prom.” She tilts her head to look at me.

want me to finish this fast.” I try to be focused on

“Ouch. Easy there, tiger!” She whines,

between laughs. I do the first braid perfectly. “Look at

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

***

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

room, wearing

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

expression on my face. I shake my head.

it’s blue.” Her shoulders slump.

color-blind,” I

“But we like blue,” she insists.

take a deep breath.

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

colorful. You have nice skin color, your hair, and

my hair and my freckles, and my skin

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

dress for her?”

The sales lady’s face lights up like she has some idea. “I know what’s perfect for her. She got a beautiful skin with redhead and green eyes.” Ms. Jenna scans the dress one

The size fits for you, dear.”

same 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,

P.E class. I

stay away from me. Not the other way around!” Trinity responds. Her face turns red with

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

that lousy dance or prom. That’s for brainless cheerleaders who want to lose their virginity with

My lips curve to smile. I can’t help but chuckle.

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

jaw clenches. That’s a lie. First, I didn’t ask Alesha to be my Prom date, and Trinity is 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 eye, but I can see the