Sugar

chapter 6

"The least you can do is call!" Mom said, in a disapproving tone.

I sighed, "look, I've been really busy lately and it slipped my mind. I'll call you every day from today, okay?"

Mom didn't say anything. "You miss your dad, Natalie. And I know I can't compete with him but I'd like to feel like my daughter loves me a little."

Way to go, Mom. Thanks for making me feel like the world's worst daughter. "That isn't true. I-I miss Dad, but I know he's not coming back. I'm sorry," I managed to say.

Apologising to people is not one of my stronger traits.

"Oh honey, it's fine. What have you been up to anyway?"

I swallow, "the usual. I'm just hanging out with Max and a few other kids staying here. There isn't much to do here. We went to a fair. That's about it."

Mom laughed. "You won't realise now but you've been given an amazing opportunity. You're living amongst nature, with a beautiful lake and trees everywhere. Whereas I'm hanging out here at boring old Cupertino with your sister giving me company with her gossip."

She had a point. I couldn't imagine what I'd do if I was at home. I'd probably be hanging out with Tyler, or Em. I'd be having movie marathons (with myself) and waking up at noontime.

"What do you want me to do? And my stupid phone is ruined," I groaned, enjoying the fact that I could complain about things to someone.

"So be glad. At least now you won't be glued to it every second of the day. Explore, make new friends, and most important of all- make memories. You have but one life to live. Don't waste it," Mom said, getting all philosophical.

I smiled, and then remembered that she couldn't see me. "Thanks Mom. I'll talk to you tomorrow?" She said she'd be waiting for my call.

I placed the phone back in its receiver and closed my eyes. I wasn't able to sleep the previous night as I was too busy freaking out about Max finding my pills.

"I can't believe I'm actually having fun," I heard someone in the kitchen. My curiosity got the better of me, and I got up and stood at the entrance to the kitchen.

I don't think you'll find it hard to guess who it was.

"What are you up to?" Brandon asked whoever he was talking to on his stupid iPhone 6 plus.

"Wow, you're at a party? Uh, whose throwing it?" Then, silence. "You're at Alex's party. You're at his party when you told me you hate him?" He sounded really angry. "I don't know what the hell is wrong with you, Kirsty. I'm sitting here in a cabin with no form of entertainment and you're partying with your lame friends and hooking up with Alex behind my back!"

I was listening with bated breath. This is the most drama I've witnessed the whole week.

"I'm not the one cheating on my girlfriend. Maybe you should stop before I actually catch you in the act!" He spat out. "What do you mean, I'm not cheating on you? Do you think I'm that stupid?!"

Brandon shook his head and hung up. He started walking out, and I wasn't fast enough to act like I hadn't been eavesdropping on his conversation.

"What are you doing here?" He asked. I shrugged, "I was, um, talking to my Mom. What about you?" Unfortunately he saw through my act.

Brandon shook his head, "you don't have to lie. I know you heard everything Kirsty told me." I hesitated for a moment, and then nodded. If I was going to get yelled at, it might as well be now.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to listen to your conversation; I couldn't help myself. Do you need to talk to someone?" I asked.

"Nah, I'm going to go hang out with Jess for a while. She'll get my mind off this shit," he replied, and I nodded, feeling a little disappointed. "But we're going to hang out later, okay? I don't turn down pretty girls' offers," Brandon winks at me.