My Chemistry Tutor

CHAPTER 36

JENNIE'S POV

"So, you mean to tell us that your mom hasn't been worried sick that you've been staying here for a few days?" Dad asked.

"Few weeks," I said accidentally.

My parents turn to me in shock.

"WHAT?!"

"For a good reason," I replied in defense.

My mom sighs and turns to Lisa.
"Sweetie, it's not normal for parents not to be worried about their kid who is spending their nights somewhere else. Maybe it's best if I have a word with her."

"I mean I'm used to it and you're lucky if she answers the phone. She tends to lose or break her phone a lot when she gets drunk," Lisa explains.

Hearing this breaks my heart; I feel so much for her.

My dad scratches his head before hesitantly asking, "Is there nowhere else you can stay? Other family members? Not that I don't want you to stay or that I don't like you, it's just important to have a family support system."

"Unfortunately, no. We moved here from Thailand when I was five. I have no family that lives here other than my mom," Lisa answers.

My parents look at each other, then focus back on Lisa.

"Have you talked to a social worker?" Mom asks.

"Every once in a while. My mom always lies to her though," Lisa says.

"Does your social worker know you ran away from home?" Dad asks.

Lisa hesitates to answer my dad.

"No," she whispers.

"Okay! So here's what we will do. Lisa, you can stay the night, but in the guest bedroom downstairs. I don't need to walk in on you guys by accident again. I don't think my heart can take it a second time," Dad says, glaring at both of us.

"Then tomorrow, we will call your mom and the social worker and discuss what the best thing is for you," Mom adds.

"Please don't make me go back. I can't. I can't spend another day with my mom. She's not like you. She's not as caring and understanding as you guys," Lisa pleads, tears streaming down her face.

My mom and I immediately get up to stand by her side.

I wrap my arm securely around her while my mom puts a reassuring hand on Lisa's other shoulder.

"Lisa, it'll be okay. We'll figure this out, okay?" I tell her as I hug her tightly.

"You will stay with us until we figure this out," Mom agrees.

"Thank you. You guys don't know how incredibly blessed I feel to have people who care about me so much," Lisa says, wiping her tears.

"My daughter loves you and you love her back. That makes you family, so now you're stuck with us," Dad says, making us all laugh.

"Now, you two go upstairs and grab Lisa's stuff and bring it down to the bedroom downstairs," Mom says, pushing us up the stairs.

As we head upstairs, I grab Lisa's hand and intertwine our fingers.
"Your family is amazing," Lisa says with a small smile.

"Yeah, I know," I reply as we enter my room.

"You know, you're pretty amazing too," she says, pulling me close so she can kiss my forehead.

"Thank you for everything. For helping me, believing in me, and for loving me," she adds.

"You don't have to thank me. I always knew you would do great things, even before you did, and I couldn't help but fall in love with you. You're everything I could have ever asked for," I say.