Love and Paper

Chapter 3

"Cheerleading practice starts tomorrow," Coco informed me

"Phew, that's a relief,"

"So Ana are you coming with Vivi ?"

"Yeah,"

"I'm driving my brother I brought the car today," Coco tells us

"Okay," Vivi nodded

"Where's Mel?" I frowned as I scanned our group

"She's getting a ride with Connor," Ana wiggled her brows

Connor is Mel's boyfriend, they dated for a while although I didn't know exactly how long.

"Okay," I laughed

"See ya," Coco waved at us before she exited the school building

"Are we ready?" Vivi asked

"Hold on, I need to get something from my locker," I told her while I opened my locker frantically searching for my note

"I think, I left my note in the class, I'll be right back," I broke into a run opening the door to History class

...

"Guys I think I left my note in the class," I informed my friends as they wait for me to pack up so we can head home.

"Just go get it quickly," Ana sighed tapping her foot incessantly on the floor

"I'll be back in a few," I sent the rest of my friends a smile before running to my last class to grab my note.

"You?" I frown looking at the new student his face buried in a notebook.

"Oh hi," he smiled at me

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm just trying to figure out this homework, seems pretty hard," He frowned

"Oh, let me see," I smiled taking a seat next to him

For the next few minutes, I and Leon solved a few chemistry questions and he turned out to be surprisingly smart. We were both so engrossed in the home work I almost didn't notice when the door flew open.

"Seriously we've been waiting for almost thirty minutes!" Vivi shouted her hand on her hips

"Oh shit! I'm so sorry I lost track of time," I slapped my temple

"Well you better get your butt off that chair right now!" She demanded

"On it," I quickly scrambled up stuffing my textbooks in my bag

"Uh, I'm sorry, I kinda kept her hooked with my homework," Leon interfered and Vivi eyes him

"Its fine," I gave him a small smile "Bye!" I waved walking out and he smiles a bit.

"Really? Homework? While everyone else is waiting?"

"I know I'm sorry," I groaned

"Well, Ana is more pissed,"

The car ride home became awful as Ana almost whipped me for being a nerd and wasting her time doing assignments with someone I just met.

"He's hot though," Vivi added

"He's okay," I shrugged

"Hey! You don't get to talk you have a boyfriend!" Ana waved her finger in front of my eyes and I slapped it away rolling my eyes.

 I got out of the car waving to Ana as Vivi drove off. I turned around staring at the house before walking in.

Dad is home today so I guess he's on night shift.

"Hey dad,"

"Hey kiddo! You're just in time for lunch,"

Lunch, I know it's weird I've eaten

"Ohh! Nice," I licked my lips tossing my bag onto the chair and taking a seat at the kitchen island.

"Where's Roxy?"

"Upstairs,"

"Isn't she having lunch?"

"She is, she's coming,"

"Hey!" Roxy smiled flicking her brown curly hair behind her shoulders

"Someone's in a good mood today," I sang

"Yes! I got invited for a sleepover at Marie's house,"

"Uh, dad?" I give him a look

"Yes, yes she can go," he sighed

"Dad really? When I was her age you never let me go for any sleepovers!" I folded my arms across my chest.

"I know and I'm sorry," He replied placing the roasted meat in front of me

"Whatever," I mumbled

...

"Dad you have a night shift?" I asked noticing him all dressed up for work

"Yeah," he smiled at me and I frown

"I'll be back soon," He kissed my forehead and my frown deepens

"But dad," I sighed "I really wanted us to watch a movie together,"

"Not today honey, you have school tomorrow,"

"When is mom gonna be back?" I inquired quietly and he sighs

"I really don't know, Mom has a tight schedule you know that, I know that but Roxy doesn't understand."

I opened the door for him handing him his jacket without saying a word.

"I'm sorry," He smiled at me his brown hair gelled to perfection.

"I know," I whispered

"Take care of your sister," He informed me before getting into his black jeep and heading for work.

...

I woke up to the sounds of arguing downstairs and the moment I heard the bang of a door I knew what followed, my parents.

My parents had a strained relationship but they weren't quitters. They had different work schedules. My mom being a surgeon and my dad a high ranking police officer. It became difficult for my mom to have time as she was trying to reach the top of her career. Although I don't know much about their love story they seemed happy before work ate up most of my mom's time. She loved her job, husband and children but juggling the two became nearly impossible.

My dad took care of us most times, we rarely saw mom and anytime we did see her she would either be sleeping on the couch or be getting coffee in the kitchen. I couldn't despise her she was my mom, but I wasn't close to her, my dad managed to serve both the purpose of both a father and mother.

Roxy would grow up to despise her, I could see it, she might be attached to her now but it's just a matter of time.

Growing up she made me promises 'I promise I'll come pick you up today but it never happened. Instead, I'd get home really late because I would refuse my friends who offered to take me home proudly saying my mom was coming to pick me up.

My belief in the lie faltered and became a dream that never came true. If only I could explain to Roxy. 

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