Crystal Skies

Emma

It's hard being the popular girl. Everyone looks up to you. You have to impress everyone everyday. To put it all in one word? Exhausting.

I bat my eyes at the mirror after I finish putting on my makeup. I hear a voice say, "How stuck up are you?" I turn to see Lyla, my dad's newest girlfriend. I roll my eyes. "Have you ever heard of a word called privacy?" I ask. Lyla gives me a dirty look. "Sheesh, sorry. Someone's in a bad mood." Then, to my horror, she spins around and yells, "Babe, this snob is being rude!" Instantly, my dad appears in the doorway of the bathroom. "Emma?" He says, his voice threatening. "What have I told you about being rude?" I bite my tongue to prevent myself from screaming. "Emma!" My dad presses. "Just leave me alone!" I shout. I storm out of the bathroom, past my dad and Lyla, slam my door, and flop on my bed.

I scroll through my phone, but nothing can help my frustrated mood. How can he be so blind? I think. What does he see in her? Nevermind, I resolve. I can't let anything ruin this day. Because this is the day I'm going on a date with Tyler Hudson, the hottest guy in the entire school. I've had a crush on him since forever, but only got the courage to ask for his number last year. And now, he wants to go on a date with me! Me! Honestly, though, how could he not? I'm irresistible!

I get a text from Tyler that says, You ready for our date? I reply with, Of course I am! God, he's so cute! I get up and take a deep breath. This is your chance to impress him, I think to myself. Make it count.

"Dad?" I ask hesitantly.

"Yes?"

"Can you drive me to Moonshine Cafe?"

"Sure, sweetie, let me just finish up some paperwork?"

I sigh. Of course he has paperwork to do. "I'll just take the bus," I say coldly. "Wait!" Dad grabs my shoulder. "I want to drive you." The look in his eyes are so genuine I can't say no. "Fine," I sigh.

In the car, he asks me, out of nowhere, "Why don't you like Lyla?" Before I can stop myself, I blurt out, "What do you see in her?! She's a total jackass to me! Do you even care about how I bode with your girlfriends?" Shocked, Dad replies quietly, "I didn't know. I'm sorry." His apology catches me by surprise. Just a minute ago, he was yelling at me. Now he's apologizing? Why is everything so complicated with him?