Nola

U is for Us

--Nola's POV--

I woke up on the couch around one in the morning. Dad was passed out on the opposite end of the couch. I quietly got up and made my way to the bathroom.

As I got ready for bed I scanned through my phone. Daddy and grandpa had sent me over a dozen texts and called just as many times. Zeke left me a single text saying that papa dropped him off at home and that he loves me.

I regret being so bitchy towards him earlier today. Zeke is such an amazing person and he deserves to be treated better. I can't wait to have this baby with him and to start a life with him.

--

The next morning I woke up to the sound of something I've heard before, but have never wanted to hear. Daddy must have come home and made up with dads, because they are making too much noise in their room. It makes me want to tare my ears off. I place a pillow over my head and pass back out.

--

When I woke back up daddy had lunch all ready in the kitchen. Dad and Landon were in conversation at the end of the table. Patrick and Nickie were at the other arguing over some guy. Daddy places a plate for me on the table and hugs me tightly.

"Is this real?" I ask him with a smile.

"As real as it's going to get," he tells me. "I'm sorry for yesterday Nola. I hope everything's okay with you and Zeke."

"It is," I tell him before sitting down and eating.

--

"I love you Nola," Zeke says as he rolls over and rests his head on my shoulder on his bed.

"I love you Zeke," I tell him.

He then reaches in his nightstand and pulls out a single rose with a note:

I promise to love you until the end of time.

"Zeke..." I say as I pull his mouth to mine and kiss him deeply.

"Zeke!" Zeke's mother shouts as she barges into his room.

"What?" Zeke asks as he sits up.

"What did I tell you?" She asks as she walks over and slaps him.

Zeke grabs his face.

"You two are to be in the living room!"

"You've never cared before," Zeke tells her.

"It's okay Zeke," I tell him as I stand up me walk towards the door.

"Maybe you should leave Nola," his mother says.

"Okay?" I reply.

"No!" Zeke shouts as he stands up.

He's met with another slap to his face.

"Don't hit him!" I tell her.

"Nola, just go," Zeke tells me as tears start to flood down his face.

"No!" I tell him.

"Please!" Zeke begs.

I nod nod run out of the house. Daddy picks me up halfway home. I wait all night for Zeke to text me that he's okay, but he doesn't.

"Is everything alright love?" Daddy asks as he enters my room.

I shake my head. He sighs and sits next to me on the bed.

"I'm sure Zeke is fine," he tells me. "Maybe he just went to bed early."

I nod and rest my head on daddy's shoulder.

"Cuddle session?" Dad asks as he walks in and sits in the other side of me.

I laugh as he wraps his arms around me.

"You two need to keep it down. Please?" I ask awkwardly.

Daddy looks at me in shock.

"Yea. I heard," I tell him.

"Sorry Nola..." Daddy says.

My phone then goes off. Dad grabs it and reads the text out loud, "Nola its Zeke. My mom grounded me and took my phone away. I'm not sure when I'll be able to see you next. I'm sorry and I love you."

I sigh.

"You'll see him before you know love," daddy says as he kisses me and says goodnight. Dad does the same before leaving me.

--

I wake up the next morning with the worst headache of my life. My whole body feels drained. I wish wish Zeke was here.

"You hungry love?" Daddy asks as he enters my room.

I shake my head no. He sighs and lays next to me.

"I love you Nola," he says. "It kills me to see you sick. I wish I could do something to make you feel better."

"I know daddy. I love you. Can you see if Zeke can come over?" I ask.

"I'm sure he's still grounded and you don't need to be getting anyone else sick, but I'll let him know. Okay?"

I nod my head and he's kisses my head before leaving. I end up passing back out.

--Zeke's POV--

This sucks. I just want to spend time with Nola, but I'm stuck here for no reason. I'm pretty sure my parents hate me.

"Zeke," my mother starts as she enters my room. "Clean your room. Now."

"Mom it's clean. It's spotless," I tell her.

She rushes over to me and slaps me once again. Seems like that's all she's been doing lately. She then shoves everything off of my desk onto the floor. Then she opens my dresser and throws all my clothes on the floor.

"Clean it up!"

I sigh and walk over to the pile of clean-once-folded clothes on the floor. Before I can start picking hem back up she grabs my arm and yanks me to the hall.

"Mom what are you doing?!" I ask as she pulls me down the hall.

She stops in front of the attic door.

"Mom?" I ask again.

"Get up there. Now!" She says as she opens the door and shoves me onto the stairs.

"'Mom-" I start, but she shuts the door. I hear her lock it and her slide something across the floor. "Mom!" I shout as I slam my fists on the door and try to open it.

I run up the stairs in hopes of finding a window, but the only on is a tiny round window that's about eight feet up. There's no way I'm getting out through that. I sit on the attic stairs in defeat.

In the dark.

Alone.