I can almost imagine her now, palm pressed to the door while her heart sinks. Her little girl being left out must crush her considering everyone has always loved her.They’ll never love me like they love you, mom. You have to remember that half of me is made up of my father. And they’ve never loved him.
The rest of the week went by in a blur. Day in and day out it was the same routine. Wake up, help mom clean or run errands, dinner, and to finish off the day I’d hide out in my room. It had been fairly quiet here at the Harper’s. Dad hadn’t gotten wasted since that first night home. Him and mom spent most their nights binging some random television show about murderers who had never got caught. They had asked me to join a few times, but the show seemed ridiculous. In this day and age, none of these people would get away with their crimes. Nor do I want to watch men tell the stories of women who were brutalized.It’s always the fucking husband anyways.
I had gotten a few texts from Abigail throughout the week. After the third one, I finally broke my mom down enough for her to admit she had given my number to Abby. Her heart was in the right place, but the act made me feel like a child again. Mother dearest trying to set up play dates for her child.
I look down at my phone, rereading the last messages for the millionth time today.
Abby: Party at Luke's Tonight.
Abby: I'm picking u up at 5!!!!
Abby: BE READY!
I had meant to respond, but every time I tried to come up with an excuse to not attend, something pleaded for me to erase it. Nobody wants to be alone. I’m no exception, I guess. My eyes glance up to the old red clock that hangs in between the kitchen and the front door. Fifteen more minutes until she’s supposed to be here. I feel my hands begin to clam up as the anxiety starts flooding through my veins.What if she forgot?
My lips pull down into a frown as I watch the hand continue its circular motion.Why would she forget, Nova? She’s the one who invited you.I groan as I pull myself away from the clock and make my way over to the living room. Dad had stayed home today. Saint and him had finished up the drywall on the latest project, and had decided they deserved the day before starting fresh on Monday.
“It’s nice to see out of your cave,” dad smiles over to me as I make myself comfortable in the armchair to his left. The aging skin on his face really shows as his lips draw up. It unsettles me, realizing that while I had been growing up, so had my parents.
“I don’t know,” I start off, giving him a smirk. When my father is sober and not hung over, he really can be a good dad. Though those moments come few and far between I can’t help but cherish them when they arrive. I never wanted to hate him, and in truth I don’t. Not even after everything. “It’s a bit too bright and loud out here in the real world.”
His beer gut shakes as a laugh rubbles out of him. “Could’ve been a comedian if you weren’t such a modern day vampire.”
I smile back at him before we both turn our attention to cheers coming from the tv. Dad has a football game on, and one of the teams had made a touchdown. The announcer's loud voice filters through the old speakers, “With a winning streak like this, they’re definitely going to the Super Bowl! Especially if they keep this morale after pre-season.”
Dad loudly claps his hands together before calling out to my mom, “baby! They made it!”
In response to his yelling, their bedroom door opens from the right side of the living room. Mom waltzes out, wearing a pair of light denim jeans and a blue flannel. Her smile is wide and pure as she gazes at the two of us. “So we’re going to Night Shots?” She asks.
Night Shots is a local bar here in town. Every time the Patriots win a game, the bar has free appetizers for the rest of the night. It’s basically tradition to go there after a win, everyone in town does it.
“Absolutely!” Dad responds before smiling over to me. “You coming with, vampire?”
My heart swells at the kindness in his words. I look at the clock one more time, realizing it’s now a minute past five. I bite onto my bottom lip as I contemplate what to do, but thankfully I don’t spend more than thirty seconds debating myself before a grey honda civic pulls up out front.
“The lady of the night has friends?” My dad smiles over at me, standing up and heading towards the front door.
“Is it okay if I skip this one?” I ask, almost disappointed I’ll be missing out on spending time with him.
“Of course, baby girl.” He leans forward and kisses my forehead before opening the door. “Now get out of here so your mom and I can celebrate.”
I pretend to gag as I step outside, making my mom bend over with laughter. They deserve this night of happiness, and although I won’t be there to experience it, I’m glad she will be.
Abby rolls down the passenger window and whistles out to me. “Damn girl! My new bestie is a hottie!” She emphasises the E, smiling brightly at me from the driver’s seat. Her words make my heart ache, like the weight of that one word is enough to crush buildings. A standard I don’t believe I can live up to.
I give her a light smile back before I slide into the seat. The cool leather is a pleasant surprise after walking through the humid summer air. A car freshener shaped as a peach dangles from her rearview mirror, filling the vehicle with a light scent. I’m thankful for something to focus on, using what I can to distract myself from her previous words.
For the rest of the short fifteen minute drive Abby fills me on the rest of her week. Her and Saint had finally gotten a headboard, one they’ve broken in. Hearing about their sex life unsettled me, but no matter how much I thought about it I couldn’t figure out why. Sure Saint was attractive, but I had never been attracted to him. And the last time I saw him, he had made it clear that the feeling was more than mutual. Yet something about hearing how easily he could bring her to orgasm annoyed me.
“You’ll love Luke,” she starts as we enter into one of this town’s nicer neighborhoods. “And if he’s anything like Saint in bed, maybe you two will really hit it off.” She tilts the rearview mirror until she's able to make eye contact with me, giving me a sly wink when she does.
Play Good Kid by Formal Vandal
Her car slowly eases to a stop in front of a beautiful home. The historical architecture of the house stands out like a sore thumb compared to the more modern neighbors, yet the differencemakes it even more outstanding. Dark brick rises high above the ground, complete with a few white pillars and a large bay window. Through the glass I can already see some of the party taking place. Bodies blur together under the multi-colored lights.
“You coming?” Abby questions, opening up my door.Damn, I hadn’t even realized she had gotten out.
“I’ve never been to a party,” I rush out, immediately wishing I could take it back. I had been so distracted by my thoughts in the car, I hadn’t had time to get anxious until right now. But having someone else know that I’m freaking out most definitely isn't going to help the situation.
