Sing Street
••• Girls •••
When I got home with dad, I immediately collapsed face-first onto my bed. Mum followed, leaning against the doorframe with crossed arms.
I lifted my head to her with a tired gaze.
"Okay, Let's get this over with," I sighed, closing my eyes as if to brace for what was to come. "What are you going to make me do? Scrub the house? No internet privileges for a month?"
"Nope," mum shook her head as dad appeared behind her. "I'm hitting it where it actually hurts. No Lloyd for two weeks."
"Wha- MUM!"
Dad nodded. "That's good. That's great. Question; can we extend it to four years?"
"Dad!" I whined.
"Jamie," mum snapped. He raised his palms in defence and mum turned back to me. "Look, Y/n. What you did was foolish and you went behind my back when I told you to keep yourself safe. Do you know how terrifying it was to know that you were out with the ninja on some- some ghost mission and I could do nothing to keep you safe?"
I dropped my face back into my mattress and groaned loudly. I couldn't deal with anymore of Mum's guilt tripping. I was too tired to feel bad.
"And that's why we're keeping you from Lloyd," Dad said. "Because that boy gets you into danger like how Jonesy gets into the chicken nuggets."
Mum snorted. "Bad execution, but correct analogy."
I rolled myself onto my back and glared at the ceiling.
"Are you two just going to keep insulting our relationship or are you guys actually going to be heartfelt parents and leave me alone to sleep."
"We're not insulting," Dad scoffed. "We're simply pointing out the facts."
I propped myself up on an arm and sent him a glare. Dad raised a brow.
"Are you going to tell me I'm wrong?"
I faltered. Drat, I couldn't say that he was wrong. He hit the nail on the head.
"Well, it'll be good to have some space, anyway," Mum said, turning the conversation back on course before it could totally go off the rails. "Especially with school coming up. You two will be living in each other's pockets. Speaking of, when was the last time you saw Naomi?"
I stilled. A horrible feeling filled my gut - god, when was the last time I spoke to her? Before the little trip away on the bounty, I think. So a week and a half.
"I should talk to her," I mused, picking up my phone and turning to her contact.
"You should meet up when you're feeling better," Mum suggested. "You do have friends other than the ninja, you know."
"I know," I groaned, not in the mood for another mother rant. Dad turned away, grumbling. I was going to ask what his problem was, but it was pretty obvious. It was apparent that he had yet to accept the ninja, despite his words.
As much as that bothered me, I also knew that they couldn't drop a history of rivalry overnight. It warmed me to know that they were trying, though.
"How's Lloyd?" Mum asked, voice a tad more gentle. I sighed, sitting up and leaning against the wall.
"He's not talking to me about it, if that's what you mean," I mumbled. "I don't know how to handle this."
"It is a pretty unique situation," mum hummed in agreement as she took a seat on the end of my bed. "Maybe these two weeks apart will do you and Lloyd some good. Let things simmer for a bit."
"I'm worried that he's bottling it up, though," I said, turning to glance at mum with concerned eyes. "And then school starts, and we know..."
Mum made a contemplative sound at the back of her throat. Dad put his hands on his hips.
"If anyone talks bad to ya, you throw 'em onto the ground," he ordered. I snickered as mum shot him an irritated glare.
"Will do," I grinned.
"Don't you dare," mum snapped warningly before softening at my giggle. She patted my hand affectionately. "Get some rest, honey. You look tired."
"I'm always tired," I sighed as my parents left the room. I pulled out my phone and pressed dial on Naomi's number. She instantly picked up.
