The Touch

I have hope again

"Ava"

"Ava!"

"AVA!"

"huh?"I say as I open my eyes to see dad.His dark wood hair now faded and his brown coffee eyes that have turned bitter,wearing a white shirt with a black tie,black pants,and black shoes.

"You're gonna be late for school"

"Oh sorry.I'll get up right now"

"Well you better hurry up"Dad walks out of my room, closing the door behind him as I get out of bed.

I walk over to my tall wooden dresser and open my square drawers.I slide on my white ankle socks,jump into my long blue jean pants,pull on my blue shirt,zip up my black jacket,and step into my black sneakers.I look in the mirror, looking at myself.It's a basic outfit,but I like simple.

My caramel brown eyes move to my features, reminding me of my mom.Although I don't resemble an ounce of her,it brings back a memory of when she complimented me on how I looked like a carbon copy of my dad and how beautiful I was.That was the year before the incident.Ever since she disappeared,I've dreamt of that morning when she went missing.It still haunts me.

I shouldn't think about that now.Today is my first day of highschool.I'm so nervous that I can barely leave my room,but I know I have to eventually.I walk out my room and to the kitchen where my dad is standing,drinking his coffee as he reads the newspaper.

"Alright i'm ready"I announce

"Finally"Dad says as he exchanges his cup of coffee and newspaper for his keys and briefcase.

He leads the way out of the house and to his faded yellow station wagon.We both get into the old car, placing our bags into the backseat and putting our seatbelts on.The wagon sputters to life,allowing it to move onto the road.

It's silent throughout the whole car ride to school until dad breaks it

"Since you're now going to highschool,you need to be more cautious of your actions-"

" 'because they have consequences',yeah I got it dad,you tell me this every year.You don't have to remind me"I say annoyed

"Well I have to or else something bad can happen to you"Dad says worriedly

"Like what?"I ask

"Well...everything"He responds

I laugh and shake my head"What else that's dangerous to me,air?"I say sarcastically as he looks over at me

"No,but I just want you to be safe"Dad says as he puts his eyes back on the road

"I know,it's just...I'm getting older and I don't need you to worry so much about me"

"I have to worry.I'm your dad"

"Well don't.I'm going to be fine"

"I only worry because I don't want anything bad to happen to you,just like...your mom"

"I understand dad but that incident happened 9 years ago and keeping me away from everything isn't the same as protecting"I look over to my dad waiting for a response but nothing comes out.

The old wagon pulled up to my school
"Well here we are"

"Did you even listen to what I said?!"

"You better go or you're going to be late"

"Ugh,you never listen to me"I unbuckle my seatbelt and open the door to get off

"I love you.And remember what I said"I don't respond, instead I slam the door and storm off into the school.