Found her

Chapter 40 | Kisser

S A D I E

My eighteenth birthday passed in a blur, full of laughter and joy and cake. I try not to feel sad that my own father, wasn't there. Jaxon's parents were there, so was Luca's. Mom made sure I had a good time, and I did.

Lucas spent the night at mine. Mom took out the air matress, even though we both knew Lucas would sleep with me on the bed.

The day after my birthday, a herd of paparazzi were waiting a couple meters away from the school gates. They got banned from coming inside the premises, so now they wait for me a bit further away.

Lucas drops me off, steers me towards the school gates, yelling at anyone who touches me. Once I'm in the safety of my school building, he kisses me goodbye and jogs towards the car, ignoring the cameras being pointed at him.

'Woah, that was one hell of a show.' Someone mutters from behind me. 'Is he a good kisser?'

I smirk, turning around, and facing Luna. 'A very good one, not that you would know. He tastes like success and fame, not that you would know that either.'

She tuts. 'Not very nice behaviour, Sadie Parker. Or is it Sadie Edwards now?'

'Leave me alone, Luna!' I seeth, walking away.

I hear her cackling behind me.

'Jeez, what's up your ass this morning? Someone didn't have a good fu-' Jaxon jokes as I plop into my seat in English Lit.

I slap a hand over Jaxon's mouth. 'Zip it, Williams. Ugh, I can't wait for school to be over.'

He licks the palm of my hand and I pull my hand back in disgust.

'Me neither.' He continues, as if he didn't just lick me. 'College is around the corner.'

'I applied to Stanford, don't know if I'm gonna get in. Berkeley is still my number one.'

He sighs dreamily. 'Both of us, in the same college. Like we've always dreamed of.'

***

It's sunset. So naturally, I'm at the beach, laying on a blanket, with my books sprawled out in front of me, my chargeable lamp resting on the grass, illuminating the boring words of AP Physics.

I close my eyes for a minute, enjoying the sounds of the waves and the seagulls. I hum satisfactorily.

Of course, the peace is broken by my phone ringing.

Expecting Lucas, I dive for my phone and smile. What I don't expect is my dad.

I hesitate slightly before accepting the call, putting it to my ear.

'Dad?'

'Sadie. I was thinking you might not answer. Uh- How are you?'

Dad sounds as uncomfortable as I feel.

'I'm okay. Stressed about finals coming up, but other than that, I'm uh- okay.' I finish lamely. 'Uh, how's life in the city?'

'Good. Loud. Very loud. Makes me wish the quietness of BV Hills. By the way, happy birthday! Eighteen, eh? Big deal.'

'Dad, what are we doing?'

That causes an uncomfortable silence to pass over the line. I can hear him breathing deeply, and the faint noise of cars honking.

It feels like ages before he breaks it.

'Sadie, I'm sorry.'

That takes me by surprise. I open and close my mouth a couple times but nothing comes out. So I stay quiet.