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.”

In my twenty-one years, she treats me like a nine-year-old boy. I can’t blame her, though. I’m her only son, and she almost died giving birth to me. She got into

“Let’s go then. I had a long flight, Edmund. I hope we won’t stay

he responses shortly.

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

sure you know how to 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

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 it

But make sure you do it fast. You still have to help me choose my dress for the Prom.” She tilts

you want me to finish this fast.” I try to

Easy there, tiger!” She whines,

laugh. “It was not strong, goldfish,” I say between laughs. I do the first braid perfectly.

Her eyes glimmer as she looks at me.

***

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

from the fitting room, wearing a baby blue ankle-length dress.

do you think of

without expression on

blue.” Her

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

we like blue,” she insists.

a deep

draw, I bribed 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

something colorful. You have nice skin color, your hair, and your eyes.”

She glares. “I thought you hate my hair and my

seat as the sales lady approaches 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

a perfect dress for

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

size fits for you, dear.”

never dates anyone. Unlike me, I dated some girls, but I broke

“Stay away from Bash, Ugly Kiara. If you don’t want me to ruin your pathetic life!” That’s my girlfriend, Alesha yelling at Trinity in the gym during their P.E class. I just finish practicing football when I decide to talk to Trinity to teach her Calculus. I

face turns red with anger. She tells me she doesn’t like Alesha since I

why I’m telling you now. Do you even have a date for prom? I bet nobody asks you yet, right?” Alesha pokes Trinity on her shoulder.

“I don’t go to that lousy dance or prom. That’s for brainless cheerleaders who

lips curve to smile. I can’t help but

Alesha yells again.

two students to give me away. Alesha’s eyes widen