Survive

Chapter Twenty Three

Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

October 17, 2022.

Madison Stone's Point Of View.

"Why was Andrey at the board?" Bryan asks as we sit down next to each other.

"He had a little argument with the History teacher."

"Oh.."

"I saw that since you joined the soccer team, you only hang out with the boys.. are you and Andrey getting along?"

"Like.. we aren't best friends, but we talk and stuff," he says and I agree.

"Oh, that's already good."

"Yeah.. I think the fact that we are not angry with each other is already good." He speaks and gives a smile with the corner of his mouth.

"You have no reason to be angry with each other," I state and he gives me a doubtful look.

"Do we really not?" He ironizes.

I was going to answer him, but I feel my cell phone vibrate in my pocket, so I pick it up and see that Anthony is calling me.

I excuse Bryan and the teacher and leave the room, answering my cell phone shortly thereafter.

Call On

"Hello?"

"Hello Miss Stone. All is well?" Anthony asks, making me strange his call out of the blue.

"Yes.. Did something happen?"

"No.. no wait a minute, yes it did... no, nothing happened," he shuffles around and I get preucupated.

"Did something happen or not, Anthony?"

"No, nothing happened. I just called to tell you that I won't be able to pick you up today." And I strange it.

"Why?"

"Mr. Stone has asked for my help with something. So your mother who will pick you up."

"My mom? Isn't she working?"

"She was working, but she just got here and will pick you up when class is over."

"Uhm.. okay then." I talk and hear voices in the background, which I think are Angelina's and my mother's.

"I'm going to hang up now, as they are in need of my help." He says and I agree it.

"Okay." I say and hear some louder voices in the background and this time, they are not only from my mother and Angelina, but also from my father.

They are fighting again.

"I love you. Bye."

"I love you too. Bye."

Call Off

He ends the call and I am worried about what might be happening back home.

I put the cell phone in my pocket and walk into the room again, sitting down where I was before.

"Is everything okay Mad?" Bryan puts his hand on my shoulder and I agree.

"Yes... at least I think so."

"Who called you?"

"Anthony. He said he won't be able to pick me up today and that my mom will do it," I answer him and he looks at me strangely.

"But why do they still do that if you can already drive?"

"Because I like it when Anthony takes me places."

"Oh, true. You consider him very much," and I nod my head in agreement. "But why did that make you look so worried?"

"In all the time we've known each other, how many times have you seen her pick me up from school?" And he starts to think.

"None..." and I agree. "So let me get this straight. You think something happened?"

"Yes. First, my mother was supposed to be at work, but he said she's already home and second, I heard some altered voices in the background while talking to him, so I think something bad is going on there."

"Do you have any idea what might be going on?"

"You know my father has always been absent, right?" I ask and he agrees.

"And put absent in that," and I look at him seriously, making him regret what he said. "I'm sorry. You can keep talking."

"So.. lately they've been fighting a lot because of that and because of other issues that are beside the point. So I think they are fighting again."

"I'm sorry you had to see that, Mad."

"Don't feel. I've gotten used to it." Bullshit.

"But you getting used to it doesn't mean it doesn't hurt."

"Yeah.. sometimes I feel like going to that my parent's house on beach in San Francisco that we used to go to when we were younger and stay there for a while refreshing my head," I say and he smiles.

"If you want I'll take you there and as a reward, I'll stay there and take a vacation too," he taunts with the intention of cheering me up, which he succeeds in doing.

"Idiot," I nudge him lightly on the shoulder, laughing.

Two hours later..

"Why don't you go to my place?" I ask as I hug Andrey, who is propped up in his car.

"I'm staying at school until a little later for practice, my cheerleader," he speaks stroking my hair.

"What a shame," I say disappointed.

"But as soon as I get out of here, I'm coming to your place, okay?" And now I smile in agreement.

"Okay."

"By the way, is Anthony coming to get you yet? Because in a little while I'm going to have to go in again."

"Who's picking me up today is my mom," and he stranges it. "Anthony is busy helping my dad with something."

"Oh, get it."

"I think I'll go to the front of the school, because she'll probably stop with her car there."

"Then I'll go with you there and then go to practice." And I agree.

He walks with me to the front of the school and kisses me goodbye after we stop in front of my mother's car and he greets her.

"Since you are a lady, I will open the car door for you," he does as he says and I get into the car. "I love you, kitten."

"I love you too, kitty." I say smiling.

He closes the door, so I turn to face my mother and my smile falls apart when I see her in a way I have never seen her before. She seems to be in another world.

She starts driving towards our house and I decide not to ask or say anything, because the way she is, I think any wrong word could make her lose control.

The way home is made in a disturbing silence, since I already know that something very bad must have happened, but I can't ask, since she is driving and this might take her attention away.

She parks the car and I get out of it, entering the house shortly after and being confused to see several suitcases scattered around the room and Anthony coming down the stairs with two more.

"What's going on here, Anthony?" I ask and he looks at me as if he is very sorry.

"Your father is leaving home."

And I dryly swallow my cry when I hear my mom saying that.