It Just Couldn't Get Worse

Chapter Four

Vance is really a cool person when he keeps his mouth shut. The lesson is going nicely with very little snarky remarks from him.
-Do you really see with all that hair infront of your eyes ?
He glances at me, visibly annoyed but he bites down whatever he wanted to reply with.
-Do you have any headband ?
Vance takes me aback but I quickly answer.
-Um, yeah wait.
I remove the one I had in my hair, keeping only the top half of my hair up. Well, I try at least but some hair is tangled around it. Vance sees me struggling and sighs.
My face turns a light shade of red from embarrassment.
-Don't just look at me like that !
I whisper, trying to be discreet because we're still in a classroom.
-Okay okay, don't move.
I turn my back to him and meet several gazes from my classmates.
-Ow !
-Stay quiet ! I'm trying to do a clean cut here !
-You're gonna cut my hair ?!
-Stop moving or this will be much shorter than you would like.
-Oh god...
I smile awkwardly for our public. This is so embarassing
-Done.
I feel myself freed and turn to look at Vance, preferring him to the rest of the classmates at this very moment.
-Thank you.
-Thank you ? For what ? I did it for me, not you.
This pride of his will be the end of him.
He puts his hair in a ponytail and i notice his ears.
-You have pierced ears ?
-It's so funny how it's not even my class but I'm the one working instead of talking non stop like you.
He just signed his own death warrant. Pinball Vance or not.
---
-HAHA what did you do next ?
Robin was laughing so much his eyes were watering. People laugh at me really often lately.
-Well I kicked him in the balls.
-Stop lying Y/N, I was a witness and this girl just stopped talking for the rest of the hour.
Finney can't shut up when needed.
Robin and Bruce go in another outburst of laughter.
-Who would've known Vance would actually work and you would be the one bothering him ?
-I was just trying to make the conversation!
Finney smiles at Robin and Bruce who finally calmed down a bit then shook his head.
-You should've seen the scene of him cutting her hair too.
-He cut your hair ?!
I turn to Gwen, revolted.
-Yes ! And he wasn't even really gentle about it !
I hear Robin and Bruce go in yet another outburst of laughter.
-How surprising of him. Robin says with irony.
I roll my eyes, smiling a bit. It is quite funny.
-Oh look, there is Billy.
Gwen points out in the distance.
It was the end of the school day and I was waiting for my dad to pick me up but they decided to stick with me until I get in my father's car.
I narrow my eyes and see Billy coming on his bicycle, something following him.
-This is my dog, Tommy.
I crouch down to the dog and let him smell my hand then lick it.
-Aww, he's so cute, he kinda looks like you too.
Me and Gwen pets the dog who keeps wagging its tail.
-Is she calling you cute... starts Bruce slowly in Billy's ear.
-Or is she calling you a dog. Finishes Robin, proud of his duo with Bruce.
Billy blushes from the teasing.
-Oh, my dad is already here, I'll see you guys tomorrow! Gwen, can you come sleepover Friday ?
-Sure ! I'll ask my dad.
I give her a hug then get my backpack before waving the others goodbye.
I get in my father's car and he immediately starts the engine.
-Who are those boys ?
-They're-
-Actually, I don't wanna know.
Um, that's very confusing.
-I know I should trust you, that's what your mom always kept telling me. And you must be old enough now, right ?
He takes his eyes off the road for a second to look at me.
-Oh god no, you're still my baby girl !
I laugh.
-Come on now dad, you're exaggerating, and they're just friends.
Dad furrows his eyebrows and shakes his head.
-Sure.
And I knew he wasn't convinced at all but decided to not press it. I'm not discussing these matters with my father.
We arrive at our house and we see the neighbours put cardboard boxes in a really big van. They're probably moving. It's still unusual to see someone move out in this neighbourhood.
I enter my home followed by my father.
-Some cookies are on the counter, you can eat them with some milk. You're really short so I don't think it will do you any harm.
1m55 isn't short at all !
-Dad !
-Okay sweetie, I have to go back to work anyways, there are some important events in the restaurant lately, maybe you'll get to attend one. I'll ask around.
My father doesn't even drink a glass of water and quickly goes back outside.
I sigh and lets myself down on one of the kitchen's chairs. It's often lonely here because it's only my dad and I.
I get up after eating and drag my bag to my room.
Homework. God I hate homework.
I take out my books from my bag nonetheless and sigh remembering the physics exercises I had to do. For me, physics was harder than maths.
I don't know how much time has passed but the sun has already set and the street lamps had lit up, lighting up my bedroom with them. I get up to switch on the light but a big shadow passes on my bedroom's walls. I freeze up. I'm on the second floor, it can't be someone right ? Unless they had a ladder.
I finally build up the courage to turn around and what I saw made my heart sink.
A black balloon.
The silence in the house has never been so terrifying. Oh god. Oh god. Is he watching me now ? Does he know I'm home alone ?
An impossible amount of questions goes through my head but I stay unable to answer any of them. I couldn't even manage to breath, fixing that fucking black balloon.
I need to get out of this room and call my dad.
I try to turn the door's handle silently but the rush of adrenaline doesn't allow me to go any slower. I can't bear staying in this room more than one second.
I run to the living room, nearly tripping 2 times but I get to the phone safely. I dial my dad's workplace number and wait. The window near the kitchen sink shows the streets and how empty they are. Everything but reassuring.
At last, my father's voice reaches my ears.
-Hello ? Y/N ?
-Dad.. my voice breaks and the tears are coming, maybe The Grabber is already in the house, maybe this will be the last time I talk to my father. He found me first.
-Is something wrong ?
-Can you please just, come now ? Please.
I start crying, I hate it because I can't hold it together when I need it.
-What's happening sweetie? Don't worry I'm coming now.
I can hear him cover the phone and yell at his coworkers to fill in for him.
-I'm leaving right now, just stay in the house and wait for me, I won't be long.
-I love you dad.
-Love you too.
He hangs up but the fear is overwhelming and I can't stand still. I crouch down to not look at the window's kitchen anymore. The whole house is in the dark and like when I was a kid, I don't wanna know what is hiding in it.
I listen to a key turning in the door's lock and I pray that it's my father.
His familiar face makes its appearance and lights up the entire house.
I run up to him and get him in a hug.
He gently strokes my hair while whispering "there there".
-So what happened for you to get in this state ?
-Can you just check the house first?
He smiles to reassure me and takes his big knife from the kitchen's drawer.
-I should be prepared to fight shadows first, right ?
I try to laugh at his joke through my crying but I quickly go back to crying.
I follow him in every room of our house, until my room and I show him the black balloon. He opens the window and sees it was attached to a lower part of the street lamp.
-It wasn't there dad.
My father stays silent and decides to take a picture of it before getting it off.
-You'll sleep in the guest room tonight, gather your things.