My Summer Love

Grounded

Chapter 8

REINA

I have been staring at my ceiling for the past twenty minutes. It's the middle of the afternoon, and I am starving. I didn't go downstairs for breakfast because I did not want to accidentally run into my dad. He is the last person I want to see right now. I went out on my balcony earlier, hoping to see Zenith, but something tells me he isn't home. It doesn't seem like anyone is home at his place, actually. I am so bored and so mad I could scream into my pillows again, but that exhausted me earlier, and now I'm sick of sleeping. I tried reading my mystery book again, but I can only concentrate for so long until my mind begins to wonder. I just want to be with Zenith right now, or at least be able to shoot him a text when I want. This is so unfair, and it's taking everything within me not to break down crying. I'm over emotional today as it is, so crying definitely will not help me right now. I feel this ache inside of me that I have never felt before, and it is driving me insane. It's like when Zenith is not near, I have this longing for him. It's crazy right?

"AND IT'S DRIVING ME CRAZY!" I yell out loud.

There is a knock at my door, and then it opens. Xavier pops his head around the door. I glare at him.

"What do you want?"

"Is it safe to come in?"

"Oh, I don't know. Do you feel like being kicked in the nuts?"

"And I'll take that as a no then."

He starts to leave, but I stop him.

"Wait, Zay. You can come in. I'm sorry."

I lay back on my bed, sighing frustratingly.

"It's not you. I'm mad at, it's dad." My words harden at the mention of him.

I glare at the ceiling.

"Well, in his defense," Xavier holds his hands up when I shoot him a glare. "As I was saying. In dad's defense, Rey, we were all worried about you. Even I started to freak out a little when you didn't respond for hours."

"Only a little?" I question, and Xavier gives me an annoyed look.

"Okay, I'm sorry, but dad is for real overreacting! I mean, grounding me is one thing, but taking my phone too! It's unfair."

"Girl," Xavier tsks his tongue, "Now what would even be the point in grounding you if you still had your phone?"

He scrunches up his face like I had just said the most dumbest thing ever.

"Oh, shut up." I throw a pillow at him.

"Mhm, you know I'm right."

There's a knock on my door. Xavier and I both turned our attention to our dad.

"Hey, uh, Zay, can you give me and your sister a minute, please?"

Xavier looks at me and pats my leg.

"I'll be just outside the door if you need me, sweetie."

I roll my eyes at him.

"Go easy on her big guy she's had a rough day." Xavier pats our dad's shoulder.

Our dad flinches at him.

"Boy, if you don't get your ass out."

"Aight aight I'm gone."

Xavier laughs as he runs out of my room.

I sit up in bed, bringing my knees up to my chest.

"Can I sit?"