Irish Oxytocin

Graduation | 34

                           ❁ Chapter 34 ❁

*Five years prior...1 week before Aaron Pierce's death.*

"No, Cora! You can absolutely not come with us! It's a boy's night!" Daniel argued from the other side of the kitchen.

I was sitting on the counter with my arms crossed with a pouty frown crept along my face. Daniel, Ethan, Chase, Liam and Shawn were on their way to the movie theatres to see a horror movie behind Mom and Dad's back. Liam had just scored them all fake IDs to see "Get out" in order to impress a girl who had been all over Ethan this past week at school.

"Maybe Ethan doesn't even like this girl. Have you ever thought of that?" I questioned him as he ate Fruit loops straight from the cereal box.
"Of course he does. Miller is super hot," he shrugged with a full mouth.
"Doesn't look like it," I acknowledged.
"Stop distracting me. I'm not sneaking you in," he pushed a final time.

I crossed my arms again and leaned against the cabinets.

"You never let me hang out with you guys anymore."

Daniel rolled his eyes before placing the cereal box back in the cupboard.

"You're not a baby anymore; stop whining. You're thirteen years old for god sake," he groaned with an expression of annoyance.

Just then, Dad came into the kitchen in his work uniform. He looked exhausted, and Daniel's eyes widened immediately. His expression turned to me desperately in a silent plea to not snitch.

"What's going with you two now?" Dad asked, staring down at his phone.
"Nothing," Daniel answered immediately.
I scoffed, and slid off the counter.
"Nothing, Dad. We're just fighting," I shrugged.

Dad looked up from his phone, and then back and forth between Daniel and me.

"Ooookay," he prolonged.
"I gotta go," Daniel sighed in relief, storming out of the kitchen.

Dad and I watched as Daniel left before he turned his attention to me.

"How was school?" He asked reluctantly.

I sighed and rested my elbows on the island table.

"The usual. Jamie's blowing me off to hangout with her new boyfriend and Aaliyahs running her stupid book club," I groaned.
"Chase and Jamie are still together?" He doubted.
"You wouldn't believe it. They're soulmates," I chuckled slightly.
"No kidding," Dad laughed in return.

The giggles faded out as Dad leaned in front of me at the table. He was examining my face with a big smile as I rested my head in my hands. He was thinking really hard about something.

"You okay, Dad?" I questioned.
Dad shook his head and reached across to tap my nose.
"All good. You're just growing up so fast," he cooed.
"Ew, Dad. Stop."

He laughed at me as I scrunched my eyebrows awkwardly.

"Just give me this one moment sweetie, okay?" He asked quietly.
I nodded slowly as he continued staring.
"You work so hard all the time. Aren't you tired?" He wondered.
"No," I lied.

Dad shook his head before standing up straight.

"You're going to be a fine young woman, Rory. You're going to graduate at the top of your class, and you'll get accepted to a good school. You're going to be so successful all on your own," he purred.
"I hope so," I grinned.
"I know so. You're a Pierce. You and Daniel will make me proud."