𝑰𝒏 𝑭𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒏𝒐

19 : Next Weekend...Prom?

𝕊 𝕆 𝕄 𝔼 ℝ

April 20th, 20xx

"Mom, are you almost ready?"

"Yeah, hold on."

After my father had texted that he had landed, me and my mom were quick to get ready. They had both fixed their acts for the sake of me. When my father was down a few weeks ago, they had explained that they made a pact to be better parents. 

I didn't believe him because he had already left; I had no trust in my father. Sure, I told my father I did but deep down, there was no need for me to ever rely on him after spending enough time not relying on him. Except, I realized I did start to rely on him after he started coming around more often. I felt like a little girl again as I watched outside my window for him. 

Since then, my father has visited more and my mother has stopped drinking.

It was refreshing for me to feel a bit freer.

"Okay, let's go."

We had gotten into the car when I saw Oakley walk up. I waited for him to get closer before talking.

"What are you doing here? It's eight o'clock!"

"I just wanted to come to hang out. Are you guys going somewhere?" Oakley motioned to the car.

"Yeah, to pick up her father. Want to tag along?" Mom asked him, standing halfway out of the car.

"I don't-"

"Come on, he's waiting!"

I took a few steps forward to grab his hand and pull him to the car. It made me tingly. Ignoring it, I opened the door and pushed him into it, careful not to hurt him. We rushed to the airport so that he wouldn't have to wait longer.

"Are you busy next weekend?" Oakley asked as we sat in the parking lot alone.

My mom had gone inside to find him. It left us alone but we had stayed quiet. I was bouncing with nerves to see my dad.

"No, I don't think so. Why?"

"I was going to do a grand-"

"Wait! Sorry. Dad!" I yelled as I opened my door and rushed over to him.

"Somer," he laughed as he caught me.

"Give your dad a break!"

"You can sit in the front. My friend came with us, I'll sit in the back with him."

"Him?" My dad eyed me.

"Oakley, my friend? Surely, I've already told you about him."

"Last time you mentioned a boy, you were with Taylor. And look at him, a kid on the way! It's not even yours!"

Did that mean my father liked Taylor? Or was he angry that my ex was already having a kid? I didn't know what he was trying to say.

"Anyway, yeah, Oakley's a good friend of mine. We go over to each other's all the time. Don't be rude or anything, yeah?"

Dad only shrugged before he walked to the car.

******

Luckily, we managed to get back home without my dad wanting to pressure Oakley to answer his questions. I knew that Oakley knew of my problems but I didn't want him to think that they were always wanting to know about others' business. We weren't nosy.

At least, not all the time.

"Sorry that our conversation got cut short. What did you want to talk about?" I said as Oakley sat next to me on the cement.