WHO WILL IT BE?

CHAPTER 23: DADDY ISSUES

LIA'S POV

Monday morning,more like afternoon,I woke up. My room was tidied. I heard movement in the kitchen. Mom? Shouldnt she be at work?

I headed downstairs. "Hey sleepyhead," said Jodie, a huge grin on his face. He was busy making pancakes and waffles. Whats the occasion? "Good morn- I mean afternoon. You're in a good mood," I said. "We need some cheering up so Im making our favourite snacks," he said. "Oh," I said. Im allowed to mourn,cry and break down am I not? No one can expect me to just deal with the fact that my dad is dead! "Im only trying to lift the mood not make you forget," he said as if reading my mind. "Oh-kay. Im just going to shower and join you in a few. Did my mom go in today?" I asked. "Yeah. She did," he said and I nodded before I ran to the bathroom.

I took a half an hour in the shower and when I finally got dressed and went to my room Jodie was seated on my bed with a tray in his hands filled with a mountain of pancakes and waffles. On the side was maple syrup and chocolate sauce. For beverages he had orange juice. "Wow!" I exclaimed. "Im only returning the favour," he said. We sat down and ate on the mat. "You really out did yourself," I said impressed. "Glad you like it," he said with a huge grin. "Can I be honest with you?" I asked. "Anytime," he said. "I feel like all of this is happening because of me. My dad, my mom, Lyle and even that boy at your party. That somehow I caused this. I dont deserve the friends I hae. You,especially. You've been there for me since I can remember. Its not fair on you. Its your final year on school and look where you are. Im even keeping you out of school," I said and felt tears streaming down my cheeks. Again! Wow, enough with the tears!

Jodie came and sat beside me,took me into his arms and stroked my hair. "Its all going to work out...shhhh...," he kept whispering to me. He pulled back and wiped away my tears. "Listen Im hear by choice not force. Your mom tried ending her life for her own reasons. Your dad was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Lyles just an idiot and that boy was intoxicated," he said. "What time is it now please?" I asked. "Around 3," he said. "Do you mind if I ly down for a while. I doubt the two adcodols I took last night are out of my system. I feel drowsy," I said. "Sure," he said and left. Once I heard him on the last step downstairs I locked my room. No one is coming in or going out.

EVE'S POV

After school Tyler notified me that he had to go home straight after school and asked if I'd be okay walking alone home. DUH! I've been walking home alone since grade4.

I got home changed out of my unoform and decided to check on Lia. First I called her cell. Its off. Thats strange. Then I decided to go to her house. Just as I reached the door to leave Matt called me. Aargh! "What do you want? Im on my way to Lia," I said. The annoyance clear in my voice. "Jodie just called. He needs you there. Lia wont come out of her room and refuses to speak to anyone," he said. OMG!! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! Shes going to go all depro now. Im not allowing it. I tormed out without a word and ran to Lia's house.

I knocked and entered, heading straight to Lia's room. Jodie sat with his back against the door and his eyes were shut tight. "Jodie!" I exclaimed. "Eve! Thank God. She refuses to come out or talk to me. Her mom is in meetings whole day and I didnt know who else to call," he said panic stricken. "Lia its Eve. Speak to me please. I can help you," I said. "You cant! Its all my fault! I provoked Lyle and I knew he was jealous of my friendship with Tyler. My Dad would have done anything to provide for us and my mom lost her husband. That boy tried to rape me because I was cheeky," she rambled on. "Im nothing,but a burden to everyone!"she screamed.

"Lia. We all know Lyle doesnt really do relationships. You're not at fault. Your dad was in a car accident and unless you were the one that smashed into him then you are not at fault there either. Your mom is responsible for her own choices so you cannot feel guilty about that. That boy was drunk. We told you you are no burden. Start believing it. We love you Lia," I said. "I want my dad! I need him!"she screamed and threw something against the door. BA-AM! Shes crying. Im at a loss here.

"How did this happen?" I asked Jodie. "She said she felt drowsy so I went down and when I came to check up on her again the door was locked," he said and ran both his hands through his hair. "Lia. We only want to help you," I said. "No you want me to get over it. You wont understand," she said. She knows that Jodie went through something similar but she doesnt know about mine. "Actually I sorta know how you feel. You feel as if nothing will ever be the same. You feel lost,disorientated,lonely. Im going to tell you something but you need to listen," I said and silence followed. "I'll leave you now," Jodie mouthed to me and I nodded. I sat down with my head against the door,bringing my knees to my chest and wrapping my arms around them. "Okay... so I was six years old when my dad left. Just like you were close to your dad so was I to mine. We were inseparable. So you can understand how I felt when I came home from school and waited for him. Only he didnt pitch. My teacher then realised that no one was going to pick me up and dropped me at home herself. When I got home my mom locked her up in her room,pretty much what you're doing now. Eventually she came out,but her eyes were red and puffy. Me being curious asked where dad was  and she just broke down in tears.

I didnt understand what was happening until later that day when I sat in front on the steps awaiting his return. That evening Matt came out. 'Hes not coming back. Hes gone,'he said. I never saw my dad again. I dont know whether he's alive or not. Throughout the years I learnt that we have to appreciate the people in our lives because they can vanish easily. All Im saying is that instead of pushing everyone away and shutting yourself out....let them in. You dont have to deal with things on your own if you have people that will lessen the load. Im heading downstairs and when you're ready join Jodie and I in the kitchen. Think about what I've said," I said. The tears that formed while I relived that moment blurred my vision. I wiped them away and went downstairs. Jodie was sitting in the kitchen. "Are you okay?"he asked. "Why?" I asked. "Looks like you were crying," he stated. "Im okay now," I said. "Is she coming out?"he asked. "We have to wait and see," I shrugged.

LIA'S POV

I sat by the door crying and thinking about Eve's story. She was left without a dad at the age of six. Thats young! I cant imagine how she must have felt. Shes right. Pushing away people is not going to help. I have to open up,but its hard. Even if Im angry,upset and tired I have to try and be okay. Before heading downstairs I switched on my phone. I had 7 whatsapp messages.

From Lyle:
-lia. Its not possible for me to stay away from you
-please forgive me:-(
-i miss you
-i hope you are okay

From Tyler:
-hey there. Hope things are okay over there
- when do you want me to come over. We're doing Algebra

From Matt:
-hey. Whats going on? Is everything okay? Jodie called in a panic. Im worried

I decided to ignore Lyle's messages and replied to Tyler and Matt.

To Tyler:
-hiya:-) things are okay. You can come on wednesday. What'd you say?

To Matt:
-hey. No need to worry. Everything us okay. I opologise Jodie can be a bit of a drama queen. Okay...drama king? Lol.

Instantly my phone lit up and Matts name flashed across my screen:

-lol glad to hear you're okay

Lia:
-yeah. Sorry but I gtg. Chat later?

Matt:
-sure

Lia:
-see you.

I switched my data off and went down. "Shes alive!" Jodie exclaimed. We all laughed. "Thanks Eve," I said. "Sure. I have to get going though," Eve said and left. I laid on the couch and put my headphones on. So it seems we all have daddy issues.

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