Unexpected Love

9. What about dad?

April and I were sitting at the cafeteria table waiting for the others since we were the only ones who pack our lunches in our group. After yesterday we became very close.

I was glad to be close with someone now since my best friend moved away. I felt lonely and I realize that now. My phone rang and it was my mom.

"Hello?"

"Hey sweetie, I have something to tell you."

"What is it?"

"It's about your dad..."

"Okay..."

"He wants some custody over you."

"WHAT?" I screamed. "I am not staying with him, or seeing him, or doing anything around him!"

"Calm down, I'll see what I can do. He's being released in a week or two so be ready."

I hung up on her and put my head in my hands. April looked at me and frowned.

"What's wrong?"

"My dad. He wants some custody..."

"They'll actually let him?"

I shook my head yes and sat my forehead down on the cool tabletop. Brad sat down beside me and side hugged me. I lifted my head and gave him a real hug and started to sob.

April filled him in on what happened since I couldn't talk. He held my hand and I let him. He rubbed my thumb and I sat my head on his shoulder.

"You know what you need?" Percy asked.

I shook my head no.

"A book, a new book! From Barnes and Noble!"

I smiled and he agreed to take me with Brad to get me a new book after school.

The day seemed to drag on forever before the last bell rang. I waited outside for Brad and Percy even though it was pretty chilly out.

I turned my head to the left and saw the two boys walk outside to me. They each took hold of one of my arms and led me to Brad's truck.

"Hmmm... This is so hard!"

Percy groaned and walked to a section of the store that had magazines. Brad aimlessly walked through the aisles of teen fiction until he picked up a book and brought it to me.

I held it and read the description. Then the title.

"The Way We Lived" I recited. I read the first page and instantly loved it.

I found Percy and handed him the book so he could buy it for me. Brad held my hand and handed me a bookmark.

"I bought this for you." He whispered in my ear. I smiled and put it in my book when Percy handed it back to me.

We dropped Percy off at his house and Brad took me to a park. We sat on a bench as I held the book tight against my chest. I would have to draw this later.

I leaned into Bradley and he wrapped his arm around me. I felt my face get hot as he started to rub my side some before putting his chin on the top of my head.

"Arie?

"Mhm?"

I looked at him and he held a necklace in his hand.

"I was wondering if you would like to be my girlfriend." I smiled and hugged him. He kissed me and he put the necklace on me. It was a music note and I absolutely loved it!

"Where did you get it!?"

"Hot topic."

I laughed and he drove me home.

"What about your dad Arie? Will I have to deal with him?"

"What about my dad now? I don't know what you are speaking of sir!"

I got out of the truck with my bag and new book in tow and entered the house. I went to my room and sat my stuff down on my bed. I ate some Mac and cheese before returning to my room to see everything torn, ripped, thrown, broken, and destroyed.

My music CD's were broke in half.

My art work shredded.

My books ripped to pieces.

I screamed and cried.

Mom.

Where the hell is my mother?

I ran through the house looking for her but she was nowhere to be found. I went into the back yard to see a hole dug. A small hole. I walk over and see my cat, Buttercup, laying in it.

My mom sat beside the hole. "I broke your stuff. Buttercup hissed at me and clawed me and bit me, so I'm putting her away."

"Why? Why did you break my stuff?"

"Because you cut yourself, you listen to stupid music, depressing music, you see a therapist, you draw sad artwork, you do everything in a dark way. YOU ARE JUST LIKE YOUR FATHER!"

I started to cry but managed to get out "Dad was my sunshine. One day he was dark and hurt me because he didn't want to hurt you! It's your fault I'm like this. You made dad a monster!"

I ran into the house and grabbed the things I had that weren't destroyed. I opened the front door and starts to walk while dialing Brad at the same time.

"Hey Arie! What's up?" I was still crying.

"Can I spend the night at your house?"

"Yeah what's wrong?" He asked concerned.

"I'll explain when you get here. I'm at that park at the end of my street."

"I'll be there soon Arie, hang tight!"

And with that I sat down on the curb, put my hand in between my knees and bawled waiting for my new boyfriend to come same me like a damsel in distress. When in reality that was the damn truth.