I don’t believe this. He didn’t want me to come down to Boston earlier. What happened? What changed?

 

Dad mumbles over the phone, “Of course you are welcome to come back. It’s just—I think you should spend more time with your mom. When was the last time you visit her? Maybe this is a great chance for you to bond.”

 

I don’t buy that. “How long do you want me to stay here?”

 

He falls into silence.

 

My mouth goes dry. And my heart is falling into a bottomless pit. After a long wait, I decide to make this easier for him. “Dad. What is the real reason?”

 

Another painful silence. He finally speaks up.

 

“…Hallie wants to move in with me.” His voice so low. Almost hard to catch up, “I thought it might be awkward if you two are both here at the beginning.”

 

My mind went completely blank.

 

I don’t know what to think, nor what to say. But I guess my reaction doesn’t really matter to these people anyway.

 

“So, this is it?” I grip the phone till my knuckles turn white, “You are kicking me out because you want to please your girlfriend?”

 

“No!” Dad’s voice is squeaky, seems like he’s trying to hide the guilt, “I’m just afraid that you’d be uncomfortable. And I talked to your mom, Boston has better education. Maybe you’ll have a greater chance getting into a better college if you stay there.”

 

So mom is in this too. And it’s a long-term plan.

 

Oh yes. Just looking out for me. As they have always been.

 

When they first got divorced, mom also kindly suggested me go to Miami with my dad because she was afraid that I would be “uncomfortable” here.

 

And the same excuse again.

 

I am a soccer ball to them? They can just kick me aside whenever they don’t want me around?

 

“This is up to you really. If you want to

 

hang

 

walk out of the room. Mom is standing in the hallway, twisting her

 

he tell you?” She comes to me,

 

rid of me.” I grip my first and ask through my clenched teeth, “Have you ever thought of

 

eyes are filled with tears and sadness.

 

out of

 

plan went to drain; I wanted to go back to Miami,

 

Guess I am homeless.

 

bus going out of town. The bus bumps up and down for more

 

kid!” The driver shouts

 

park. Through the woods I can vaguely see the sea. It’s getting dark now.

 

runaway. It’s silly. Can I really live a life on my own without ever returning? I have exactly $529 on my account, which can’t

 

to scream, cry and smash things. What have I done to deserve this

 

it out and find a

 

believe mom told everyone about

 

air. Maybe I’ll go back and suck up with

 

find a group of drunk men coming around the corner. They are pretty wasted, I can smell the vodka as they approaching me. It’s an

 

the men spotted me, “What are

 

stand up, ducking my head down to

 

pray for them to get lost. But today isn’t my lucky day. Heavy footstep tags along as they keep teasing me

 

burst

 

in my pocket in search of my phone and call someone. The phone slips through my fingers during the chaos.

 

“Get away from

 

body against the tree. I start yelling for help, but he covers my mouth to

 

friends chortle and

 

but none of those works.

 

even in my worst nightmare. Desperate eating me alive. I bite my tongue till copper taste fills my mouth, as

 

someone shouts in excitement, “Go

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