UNPOPULAR

#14

     The rays of the sun on my face reminded me of how much I don't like mornings, I stired and opened my eyes. I looked straight to where the ray was coming from and noticed that I forgot to close the windows last night.

   Last night?, It came rushing back to me, I almost forgot the fight I had with my mom, now I know why I feel like shit. I cried myself to sleep remembering the day Leo died, today was going to be akward and I'm dreading it.

    I regret speaking to my mom like that last night but regret doesn't take back the things I said and I know that. I'm dreading speaking to any of my parents, dad would be worried and mom would be sad. I got up from my bed, after all, I couldn't hide all day, I had to go school... Maybe I should sleep in and lie I was sick, but tomorrow we had to be in Napa or abuela would feel bad, I didn't want to keep ruining people's mood.

    I brushed my teeth and got dressed in my school uniform, Snow didn't sleep in my room last night because my door was locked, maybe she was angry with me too, could I ever do anything right? Leo died because I didn't sit with him, mom got sad because I blamed her for Leo's death and dad would be worried now because mom and I had a fight.

    I took my school bag and decided I wouldn't stay for breakfast, yesterday I wanted to spend time with both of them and now I'm running away because of how tensed breakfast would be.

    The house was quiet, I couldn't even hear anyone making sounds, I walked a little further and heard the quiet clinks of utensils. I was about to make a straight walk to the door but dad called.

   "Princesa?"

  His voice was soft and tired, I was scared he might be angry with me but the way he called out gently sounded anything but angry. I was debating between to stay or not and I don't know which one was winning.

   "Dad, I'm going to be late."

  My words sounded like a flight response but my voice was just as tired as dad's was, maybe I was tired of fighting.

  "You have forty-five minutes more, come have breakfast, Li."

   I reluctantly turned to face the table, mom's head was down, it looked like she was reading a magazine but I could see her fingers fidget with tension. Walking to the table I sat far away from both of them, it was only a six seat dining table so I couldn't be too far. Dad had already placed a bowl in front of me, mom was drinking tea, it was hot in San Francisco but mom drank tea whenever she was tensed. Dad was having toast and coffee so I picked up the box of cornflakes and poured very little into my bowl not sure if I could eat.

    "I think we should leave for Napa today," Dad said and sipped his coffee staring at me through the rim of the coffee cup.

   Napa was an approximately one hour thirty minutes journey, what I heard last week was the party would be at four pm so we could get there in time tomorrow.

  "We could go tomorrow and still get there on time," mom said speaking my mind.

  This was the first thing I heard her say today, she was looked normal but I knew she was tensed, her gaze was solely on Dad.

  "Yeah dad, I might not be able to make the journey immediately after school."

  "Okay, the women won this round. Lola I need you to come home early, we'd be having family night"

  Dad trying to be the peace maker, thinking of spending the whole night with mom amidst the tension between us scared me, I could think of a million way this family night would end and none sounded good.

   "We are already having family time tommorow at Napa," I said dryly. A small smile appeared on Mom's face and I couldn't help but smile too.

  "Yeah I know... Uh..."