Grace.

Chapter 5

When the bell rang for after school, everyone rushed out of the classroom. It's not like they were going home immediately, they hung around school watching practices or whatever. Clubs and everything else was only set to start the following week so, for the whole week I got to go home early.
"Where are you rushing to?" I asked Naomi.
She smiled at me and ran out of class without saying a single word. Austin. I didn't like him for her but he made her happy so...I forced myself to understand the nature of their relationship.
"I didn't think I'd be so drained on the first day," Lucy yawned.
"Same. I'm not even going to lie. I wonder how I'm going to survive this week." Donna admitted.
We were still packing our bags. My mind was away, thinking about the morning. Seeing Edgar was not what I'd hoped would happen anytime soon. And from the corner of my eye, I could see Ethan looking at me. He too was packing his bag, but he was looking at me. I tossed mine to my back and adjusted the straps.
By then I was holding his gaze, a frown on my face. I found it very annoying. Why the hell was he always looking at me and staring all the time?! He was probably undressing me with his eyes. Imagining me on his bed and in his list of all the girls he had slept with at school. I would've probably been his greatest achievement. His big award. Not in my books and not on my watch.
"Let's get outta here. I have things to do." I said, still holding his gaze.
I could see him smirk and I swear the vein on my neck would've popped if I gave him the time of day.
Donny dropped me off first. Lucy and Bebe wanted to have a smoke before going home. I wasn't in the mood. I was expecting to have the whole house to myself. But when I found the door unlocked and was greeted by the delicious smell of fresh mince, I wondered who could've been home.
"Dad?! What are you doing here?!" I chuckled.
I found him in the kitchen, apron on, busy with the dishes.
"You're back! Quick, go put your bag upstairs and come back down and relax. I'm making homemade burgers!" He instructed.
"Mmh, my favorite! But you still haven't answered my question. Aren't you meant to be at work? Where's Mom?" I prodded.
"I took a half day. It was your first day of school! I wanna be the first to hear all about it. I figured you might come home hungry because I know you, you were probably running around that whole school doing this, doing that. So, how many clubs did you join?" He smiled.
"Ow, Dad." I pulled my lower lip and dropped my bag on the floor.
That was so sweet of him. He deserved a hug.
"Anything for you, mi amor. Now go, go, go, go! We've got a lot of catching up to do!"
Wasting no time, I rushed upstairs and threw my bag on the bed, then hung my blazer in my wardrobe before rushing back downstairs. Dad had just finished washing the last dish. I took a cloth and dried them all while he continued making the food. It smelled amazing! After a few minutes, all was done, and so we took our food and headed over to the lounge to indulge and have a nice, long chat.
"You really outdid yourself with this one," I chewed, taking another bite of my burger.
"Thank you. It took time, but the results are great! So, how was school?"
"So far, so good. Nothing much happened to be honest."
"As expected. Have you decided on what you're going to do this year?"
"Definitely! It's going to be a really busy year for me. I am not holding back. Creative writing, Book, Robotic, Mathletes and Future Medical Professional club!
"Whoa! Don't tell your mother that. She'll kill you. But...I agree with her, don't over do it. Just chill, you know? Leave some time to study. Time to live a normal life."
"My life is normal."
"Partly. You're so focused and ambitious. It makes me so proud to be your parent. Not even I am as organized as you. You're building a good name for yourself and for us as your family and I wish you nothing but the best, Grace."
"You and Mom are the best! Always have been. Always will be. This is the least I can do," I smiled.
He chuckled and then poured me some of his milkshake into my half-empty glass. We toasted and continued eating as well as enjoying each other's company. When we were done, I headed upstairs to write in my journal and read a few chapters of the book I was reading.
I had soft music playing in the background—the perfect setting for a journaling session. I'd usually write about anything and everything. But in that moment, I found myself...