Savage

Chapter 1 - Birthday Surprises

*Shailene's POV*

I was about to skip down the stairway when I decided that I should just check the mirror one last time. Making sure my fitted purple sundress was all okay, I trod down and felt my freshly done curls bounce as I sent a silent feel of appreciation to my best friend, Mel, for loaning me her iron.
My boyfriend, Andrew, awaited my presence in his white s60 Volvo, outside of my house. As I was about to open the door, I couldn't help but notice the key to my father's XLT Ford Ranger, hanging on the wall. He probably walked to work or was probably too intoxicated to drive, but I was wrong.

'Surprise!' Someone behind me covered my eyes. From the usual clove scent, I knew it was my father.
Usually, he was never home, always at work or out with his friends at games or bars. At this point, I thought that he had a better social life than myself. I was not troubled by his frequent absence, I still loved him and he provides me with everything I need. He thinks that I am capable of looking after myself. I am proud of him, though, for not turning out to be as bad as anyone else would have thought, after my mother had gone to live with her new family.

I took his hands off my face and spun around, secretly hoping he didn't smudge my eyeliner.
'Daddy, you're home.' I stated the obvious, hiding my astonishment.
'Yeah Shay, I know that I don't spend time with you, and my friends also spend time with their children and I know that I don't. So we could try it. What better day is there to bond than your birthday?'

Any other day besides today I thought.

He's not drunk yet but I get the tinge of alcohol off his breath.

I pictured how Andrew must be right now, running his fingers through his short, jet black hair, drumming his hand on the steering wheel...he is short tempered and impatient, but he's different with me. He can wait a while.

My father interrupted my thoughts. 'So, are you going to stay? Where were you going anyway? There's a bottle of Vodka on the table. We could play cards, I'm sure it would be a lot more fun.'
I was exasperated. 'Excuse me? I am not going to abandon my plans to stay home, drink Vodka and play drunk games with you.'
'I am your father and you do as I say!' He shouted.

Here we go.

'No, you are my father but yet you drink all the time and only think that you should spend time with your child when your friends tell you.' I kept my tone calm.
'Stubborn and selfish just like your damn mother!' What a wonderful time to play with my emotions. I was not selfish, I just had a feeling that his intentions were good but the idea was bad. I didn't even know how to play cards.

'I'm so done here.' I turned towards the door again and before I could turn the doorknob, something came whizzing across the living room. It was the glass vase which used to sit on the dining table. It was now scattered across the living room floor.
I heard Andrew's car door slam and I turned around to see if I had to dodge anything else.

'Are you psychotic!?!' I shouted as I stepped away from the glass and the door slowly, because I knew Andrew was coming in.
Dad's expression was cold, expressionless. 'Sharon, just get out of my house now.'

Sharon? Why had he addressed me by my mother's name?