One Summer

TWO

'Cause I'm pretty when I cry, I'm pretty when I cry
Pretty when I cry, I'm pretty when I cry
Pretty when I cry, I'm pretty when I cry
I'm pretty when I cry
I'm pretty when I cry

NORA

My eyes are puffy and red as I stare at my reflection in the mirror I slept through the week so I decided to actually do something instead of wasting my life away

I picked up my toothbrush filled it with toothpaste and brushed my teeth I finish and spat out the toothpaste to rinse my mouth

I finish showering and I am now in a black towel since it is summer I decided to wear a short black skirt with a white top with flip flops and a black bathing suit under

I want to explore the house and hang in the pool alone I heard a car door slam so that's why I am exploring

I really don't want to have a conversation with my so-called father
He left and I think he went with his replacements

Or that's what I am hoping for I grab my towel and head to the pool in the backyard I sit down placing the towel by the pool

My toes feel up the water temperature it's the best type of warm so I strip until I only have my bathing suit on

I lay on my back and float for a while not doing anything just in my own little world where I am happy

I hear the back door slide open and I hear Mary's soft voice "Good Morning dear how are you feeling"

Her voice just seems to put a smile on my face every time I hear it she's the only one who made effort to speak to me while being here

She takes a seat on one of the chaise lounges and we make conversation I actually feel wanted somewhere and it's not forced

"How are you darling" her southern accent soft and strong I smile "I am doing..." I stop and think. How am I feeling? I feel numb to be completely honest I open my mouth to answer "Fine" my smile still on my face

"No really" her motherly gaze intense I sigh "I promise you I am doing fine Mary" She playfully glares at me before sighing and giving up and moving on to the next topic

Which I am thankful for. I don't know how people do that... talking about feelings thing I am physically not capable of doing it

Like where do you even start how do you stop I don't trust anyone enough to just spill everything I tend to overshare so when I start I can't stop

Mary and I are done conversing so she gets back to what she does on days like these and I decide to get a floaty to be in the pool with

Getting out of the pool made going back in the pool colder

It was a little cold at first but moving around made me get used to its temperature. I just lay there unmoving I let my body float

I stay in the pool for an hour and then I get out cause I am hungry I haven't eaten since yesterday and that isn't good for me

When I get to my room I change into Jean shorts and a plain black tank top I walk into the kitchen and see what I can eat

I grab a bowl and put grapes mango raisins in it and then get a cup of ice. I don't have time to be feeling like shit today some ima be as healthy as I can be

I sit at the dining table alone bored out of my mind since he, My father made me get rid of my phone cause he doesn't want me to communicate with my mother's family and I obeyed cause I was exhausted and wasn't in the mood to argue especially when my mother just passed

I regret it honestly now I just waste my life doing nothing with no one to talk to...even when I had a phone I spent my days like this but at least I was entertained by something

I finish my food so I start to chew my ice for another five minutes before deciding it was too cold and I had enough

I grab a bottle of water and walk to my room I rummage through my bag that I still hadn't unpacked searching for my iron deficiency medication

I found them and downed it with water in seconds. Not having anything to do today I decided to lay in bed for the rest of it

DAY LATER

I am in my father's office after he had called me down for who knows what it's a little awkward on my part

He opens his mouth and then closes it he takes a deep breath then says "Nora how are you" I am confused about why I am here but my face isn't showing it

"Why am I here Ritchie" His facial expressions change due to my rude tone "I am your father Nora and you will address me as that" his brows furrowed together

I can't help but let out a small chuckle "You surely never acted like it" a smile plastered on my face

He lets out a small breath "Look I didn't call you here to argue I was just going to inform you that you're going to summer camp to get your mind off of things you know"

Unbelievable he can't be serious "I've barely been here a week and you are already kicking me out wow"

"Nora it's not like that" he breaths out "No it is like that I mean you missed four years of my life and more if you count all the days you were barely there" I fight back the tears

"Nora that was so long ago get over it" I got up from my seat getting closer to him "GET OVER IT I never asked to be here last time I checked you begged Mom for a child and she gave it to you and then you got bored and left" I can't help but raise my voice

He opens his mouth to say something but I cut him off "I would think you would try to be a better father after all the time you missed but no you never changed and you never will" The hurt is noticeable in my voice but I am not done

"Mom gave you everything even left her rich and stable family for you when you had nothing gave you a child you begged for she even let go of her dreams for you and this is how you repay her" My glare was strong and full of disgust

"NORA ALLISTER" he finally let out "THAT IS NOT MY NAME I DON'T CARRY YOUR LAST NAME IT IS NORA MANE TO YOU, I WILL NEVER CARRY THAT DISGUSTING LAST NAME OF YOURS" My voice was louder than his

"You are just like your mother over dramatic," he says a small smile on his face as if something was funny "I hate you and you're a horrible parent and husband I can't wait until your replacements see your true colors you aren't a man and you will never be one you are a boy stuck in a grown man's body" I then walk out not giving him space to say anything

I walk into my room to start packing my things for this three-month-long trip to wherever this camp is

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(CHAPTER IS UNEDITED SO IF THERE IS ANY MISTAKES PLEASE IGNORE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE PLEASE AND THANK YOU)

Bye👋🏾