The Goldman Estate

Chapter 4

Young by Vacations

Artemis Hawking, Her House

I got home, it was late. No doubt about it. I had been earning extra money at the drugstore down the road. I didn't have my own car or even a license so I needed a job within walking distance and the drugstore was my only option. My dad works from about 8am-11pm at his job. So, naturally, he wasn't home. I placed my black leather bag at the door, closing it quietly. after I took off my shoes with white and black laces. It was nice looking at the art on my shoes. My personal shoes were decked out in my small drawings from hearts to sparkles. From cartoon characters' faces and my dad's face that he tried to draw.

It has been me and my dad for as long as I can remember. My mom isn't dead, at least I don't think. All I know is that I have her pale blue eyes and that she left when I was around two years old. Even though my dad works a lot, whenever he is free. He picks me up from school and we spend the day together. We go get ice cream and then go to the pier and ride the ferris wheel. I don't know what I would do without him. I know I am lucky to have a dad like him, he cares so much about me and he is always willing to listen to me even though most of the time it's just me rambling on about something random.

I sat down at the island in our kitchen. We lived in a small apartment, it was big enough for the both of us and not too expensive. Pulling out my homework from my book bag I checked the clock on the wall. It was around 10:30 at night. I yawned whilst grabbing my pencil. I hated math, period. So, I sat there staring at the first question. Just staring. Then I heard the door. "Arti!! I'm home!" I checked the clock again. 11:15, I spent 45 minutes staring at the first question. I threw my pencil down on my kitchen island and got up to greet my father. When I saw him, I hugged him. I had a long ass day and was mentally exhausted. Dad noticed, so as per usual he asked about it. I told him that in history we were doing a family tree project. Which means people are going to ask about my mom. He nodded, understandingly I didn't want to talk about it any more. His tan hand running through his chocolate brown hair. He kissed my forehead goodnight and went off to his room. I only told him half of the truth. The cheer team absolutely hates me.

They hate me, they tease me. I never came from money and Themis is a hella expensive school  to go to. I'm only there on a scholarship. So, it is not just the cheer team who hates me, it's basically everyone. I think they don't like me because they know I'm smarter than them. Or that's what my dad has convinced me to think. Either way, I've learned not to let it affect me. Most of the time I can deal with them, the nicknames, the words they say, the physical harassment from the boys. However, today I lost it. The cheer team threw my change of clothes in the trash. I mean I always bring an extra pair of clothes but still, too far. So I lost it at them, I yelled at them to go fuck themselves. Then I stormed out. I almost hit someone in the face with the door. I told him to get "the fuck out of my way" so I might find him in the morning and apologize. Depends on how I'm feeling.

I sat back down at the kitchen island and focused on my homework. I did math, but it took awhile. Then I got done and started on Honors English and Science. Everything was easy, except for the math. Have I mentioned that math sucks. When I finally finished everything it was around midnight. I packed all of my stuff back into my book bag and got ready for bed. I put on the red cloth pajama pants my dad got around Christmas last year and my black sports bra. As soon as I hit the bed I collapse into a deep, amazing sleep.