From the Hills to Crenshaw

5.0 | Against the Grain

Olivia's POV

"Olivia, I can't keep bailing you out like this," my dad says as we watch the tow truck unhook my grandpa's car.

I called my dad to help me get my it back home from the restaurant last night. And he's been criticizing me ever since.

"Your mother would lose her mind if she knew you took his car and were stranded in an unfamiliar part of town." He says as my grandpa comes out of the house and watches from the porch.

"Dad, I was just hungry," I say nonchalantly as I think about all of the details I'm purposely leaving out of the story to spare his feelings.

Imagine if he knew I saw mom in with her boobs perked and in that slamming red dress. Imagine if he knew I caught a ride home with a complete stranger. Imagine if he knew I stayed out late just to talk to that very same stranger.

"We're worried sick about you, Olivia! We need to know if this drug problem is something we need to seek professional help for." He scolds me even more and a part of me wants to tell him exactly who has the problem, but I still don't think he's ready.

"Where is mom?" I ask as I slightly change the subject.

"She's at work," he answers as he signs the paperwork from the car tow.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure! I know where my wife is. But what I don't know is where the little girl I raised to be dependent on no one or anything, except the love of her family and people who care about her is!" He says strongly and I sigh.

His words go in one ear and out of the other as my eyes drift past him and focus on Spencer's front door.

The conversation he and I had last night is the only thing that's been on my mind. And I can't seem to shake the fact that Spencer is the first person who could actually relate to my story, even though we have completely different upbringings.

"I'm transferring," I blurt out as my dad continues to sign papers.

"You're what?" He asks in utter disbelief.

"I'm transferring to Crenshaw on Monday morning," I double down and he tries to catch his breath.

"Seriously, Olivia! You're being ridiculous."

"No, dad! I'm not being ridiculous. You and mom think I need a change, and so do I. But I don't want to half-ass this, I want to go to a new school. Away from Fezco—- drugs—- bad people. Isn't that what you want for me?"

"And you think going to Crenshaw will get you away from drugs and bad people?" He chuckles sarcastically and I don't see the humor.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd think you're prejudiced against your own people." I mouth.

"Yeah, well, lucky for you—- you do know better!" He says sternly. "I just don't think this is smart, Olivia."

"It's not your choice. All I need is an address within the school zone. And well, guess what? I live here!" I say and I can see the fumes coming from his shiny head.

"Where is this coming from?" He asks as he tries to discourage me. "Your mother's not going to go for this."

I bite down on my bottom lip in annoyance. "My mom is living in a glass house. She should really refrain from throwing stones."

He looks confused and I want to drop it, but he's not letting up.

"Remember she's your mother, young lady!"

"Forget it!" I say calmly and he's still confused about the whole transferring thing.

"Okay, I'll forget the nonsense about your mother. But I can't just ignore that you're trying to make such a major decision without our consent." He says and I take a deep breath.