Blue Ribbon

Chapter 35 - The ripple effect

"Love isn't soft, like the poets say. Love has teeth which bite and the wounds never close."

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Lilly's POV

"What's that on your neck?"

Dad's words had my eyes widening and I halted in my steps, pausing by the kitchen's table and my hand immediately shot to the side of my neck, covering the skin. Oh shit, I totally forgot about that. Dad's eyebrows pulled closer as he stared back at me, his back pressed against the counter as he brought the coffee cup to his mouth and took a sip.

"Uh, it's...I...I burned myself with the curling iron," I lied, forcing on a nervous smile, shrugging casually. Because this was so casual...

"But your hair isn't curled," Max mumbled from the side, as he brought the fork to his mouth and munched on his food, so very unbothered.

I nodded, "Yeah, yeah," I chuckled nervously, pressing my other hand to my forehead, "Pfft, I meant the hair straightener," I explained my lie, rolling my eyes extravagantly, "I am probably still sleepy or something."

Mom was sitting down, placing some fruits into Max's plate which he pushed into the other empty plate, "But Lilly, your hair is wet, you just had a shower," She said, her eyes drifting to me, her eyebrow raising, indirectly telling me to pick up a better lie next time. Thanks, mom.

I laughed, "Yeah, yeah, true," I said as I fixed my hair over my shoulders, "Well, uh, you know," I gulped down, "It's uh..." I was out of words so I cleared my throat and decided to just shut up before I make a bigger fool of myself as I took my seat on the table, grabbing the orange juice and swallowing down the whole thing in one go, letting its coldness wash over my burning throat, my eyes sneakily going to dad and trying to read his expression.

He shot me a glare, and a low breath pushed out of his lungs as he moved closer, "I am way too tired to make a scene right now, we'll talk about this later," He grumbled out, his tone alone reflecting his deprived energy, ignoring me for once before he leaned down, taking mom's hand that was holding the fork and he brought it up to his mouth, taking what was supposed to be her food and chewed on it. Her eyebrow raised at his action and he threw her a wink before he leaned closer and pecked her lips quickly.

He straightened himself, "I will go to the hospital to check on Nathan," he told mom and she nodded, asking him to assure Natalie that Maria is okay here and sleeping still. Max placed his fork down and pulled his chair back, hurriedly getting up as he wiped at his mouth, "I am coming with you too," He announced and dad's eyebrows sightly pulled closer, a bit taken aback before he shook it off and looked at me, "We are leaving tonight, so make sure you have everything packed," He said and I let out a low sigh. Finally.

He threw his arm around Max's shoulder, both talking about something as they exited the room. I crossed my arms over the table and pressed my chin over it as I stared at his retreating back. I didn't tell him yet about what happened just a few hours ago. There was no point. There is nothing to do. Me telling him that Louis threatened me wouldn't help them find him any faster. He already looks so exhausted, tired, and worried, holding the weight of everything over his shoulders. I don't need to add into that.

Flashbacks of what Louis mentioned had my eyes flickering to mom, staring at her as she ate her food, her eyes going to her phone's screen and typing something, so unaware of the thoughts roaming my head and threatening my peace. I will do to her what your father did to her mother. I had my doubts before, and today he just cleared them out.