¶𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 [H.S]

1.14

A few days passed from the last time I saw Kai. We still kept in touch, though. The night of the day, when he cut me off before we could have sex, Kai texted me. Since then, we talked on the phone quite constantly. He had yet to ask me on a date, but I believe it would happen sooner or later. He is just a guy, after all. Talking of boys who have a long way until they turn into men - Liam's still acting as if nothing had happened. He's being more rude this way rather than yelling at me. But I know his bubble would pop at some point, and then he would wish he had taken his words back that day.

My eyes moved from the schedule in my hands to the clock on the wall. I had been waiting for fifteen minutes now to see my father. He was in his office for God knows how much, but that wasn't anything new. He was like this, and he wasn't planning on changing. It seemed like no one in this household tried to change anyways. The only thing they had the willpower to change was me. And the schedule in my hands proved that. None of the things there were to my liking, except for therapy which was nice at some points.

"Father," I said against the white door, knocking again.

Then my stomach got nauseous. Maybe I didn't hear when he invited me in, and he was waiting for me to come inside. Or maybe, he didn't say it yet - I didn't know. I put my ear against the door, calling him again. Nothing was audible, though. I could hear him say something, but I wasn't sure if it was to me or about me. Before I could listen to anything else, the door opened. I  jerked back off, trying to play it cool.

"Yes, Melanie!" he raised his voice, opening the door wide enough for both of us to get inside. I followed him to his desk as he muttered, "I hope it's important."

Undoubtedly, it was supposed to be significant. Considering his interest in Liam's birthday, he would be interested in the party I planned. Or at least, I hope he would.

"Um, you know I haven't really been in the public eye for a while, and Liam just told me they think I am back at the rehabilitation camp," I began, gazing over the leather chair, considering if I should sit down. "And you know, Dylan, our math teacher Mr. Holland's son, used to make this party every year at the end of the summer, and I thought I could do it instead to show I am perfectly alright by showing them I am capable of organizing this party."

I'm not sure why I sounded so nervous or why I said everything in one breath, but my father's attention being still on his computer didn't help me at all. What was that important than her daughter's reputation? When it was about our family name, he would go above and beyond to show everyone we were perfectly alright and striving for success. What was different now?

"Liam told you that?" he raised his brows, eyes still glued to the screen. Then his face furrowed as his attention turned to me for a split second, "Is it on the internet?"

I opened my mouth to give him an answer, but when I couldn't, I lost his interest, and he turned back to the computer.

"It might be," I shrugged. It was a lie. I wouldn't know if there was news about me or if someone made a stupid hashtag. Then I continued, my eyes drifting to the floor, "I'm not sure. Mr. Sheeran told me it's bad for my mental health to search my name online."

He hummed to himself, moving his fingers over the keyboard. I bet he was searching if there were accusations because why would my father believe his blood?

"Right. Well, what do you have in mind?" he changed the subject to the party. It was a good publicity stunt for us - no doubts about that. His daughter, holding lavish parties and acting all professional in front of the cameras - I bet he was thinking about that.

"Maybe I could have it at the Connecticut restaurant a little after Liam's birthday, on the thirteenth of August?" I offered, holding my hands in front of my body.