Sunflower

Chapter One: How I met your Father

It's surprising how such a physically demanding and violent sport can calm someone down. Boxing was my tranquility. My peace my-

"Ow," I hissed shaking my hand. 

I glared at the swing bag in front of me till my music slowly got softer, "How long you been down here?" 

"Since 3." 

"Oh that's great you got 2 hours of sleep," My dad sighed and looked at the ceiling, "What am I going to do with you?" 

I grabbed the water bottle from the mini-fridge while I sat against the cold cement wall, "What time is it?" 

"6 am," I groaned putting my head against my knees, "You nervous about tonight?" 

"No, I'm not nervous about tonight, dad." 

"You sure?" 

"Dad, I've walked the same halls as those twins for 4 years now. I'm not nervous about a 2-hour dinner with them." 

On the contrary though; I was terrified. I barely know them. What if they don't like me? I couldn't tell my dad any of this cause I didn't want him putting anything on hold for my feelings.

 "Alright. Get up and go take a shower," He held out his hand to help me up.

Wiping my steam off my bathroom mirror, I put my hair up in a towel and started my morning routine. 

"Kova!" I heard my dad shout through the house. 

"What?!" 

"Have you seen my- Nevermind!" Letting out a small chuckle and finished brushing my teeth.

I put on the Navy-colored Seattle Police Department sweatshirt and a pair of black jeans, "Hey," I smiled walking into my dad's closet where he stood in front of the safe. 

"Hey," He said distracted by something in the safe. 

"What're you looking at?"

"My cuffs are missing." 

"Um, well you kinda need those." 

"You don't say," He laughed. 

Grabbing the black Kevlar vest from the hook I handed it to my dad, "Thank you," As a kid, I always use to help my dad get ready for work since he was on the night shift. We started a tradition, before every shift he'd give me his badge to kiss before placing it on his uniform. As the daughter of a Police Officer, no safe returns were guaranteed. I would lie away at night praying that I don't see flashing lights out my window. 

This time I held the piece of metal in my hand a little bit longer before putting it to my lips, "Finally get to put on the short sleeve," He grinned looking at the mirror.

"Yeah, your gonna regret that," I laughed. Putting the badge on the uniform I tapped it in place. 

"Alright, I'll be home in time for the dinner but I'm picking something up after work so I'll be later than usual." 

"Okay, I'll probably take a nap when I get home." 

"I wouldn't blame you." 

He clipped the duty belt on and grabbed the gun, "Can you be extra careful today?" 

My dad looked at me confused, "I always am... What's going on?" 

"You can't leave me alone with them." 

He shook his head locking the safe up, "Alright go, I'll fix your hair before we have to go." 

"What's wrong with my hair?"