The Coach's Daughter

Chapter 14

What? Did he just ask me out? What about dad's rule? Doesn't he know it? Oh my gosh, what is happening? 

"Um... Charlie, what about my dad's rule?" I asked nervously.  

"Anna, I haven't met your father yet. And what rule?" Charlie asked, very confused.  

"Yeah you have Charlie. My dad is the coach. And you don't know his rule?" I slowly said, trying to understand things. Charlie didn't know that his coach was my dad? And he didn't know the rule? Wow, my dad isn't paying attention very well anymore, I thought.  

"What?- Well that makes sense, as to why you know the guys so well, and why you're always at practices. What is the rule?" He asked.  

"Um... Well... Mydadmadetherulethatnobodyontheteamcandateme," I replied quickly.  

"Woah, slow down Anna, I can't understand you," he told me.  

I restated, "My dad won't let any of the guys on the team date me."  

"Oh.." Was all Charlie said.  

"I'm sorry Charlie," I replied glumly. I was ecstatic when he asked me. I really liked him. But my dads stupid rule!  

"Woah, Anna. Hold on a minute. I really like you. I don't want your dad's rule to stop what could be between us. I really want to give us a try," Charlie pleaded.  

What. He wants me to disobey my dad. Great. "Uh.. Charlie.. I don't know. I really like you too, but I can't disobey my dad like that," I explained. "I'm sorry Charlie." I was disappointed.  

Charlie hung his head, and sighed. "Alright Anna. Just please think about it?" Charlie stood up, and I followed suit. I nodded.  

"Okay, I should probably go now," he said.  

"Okay," I replied, a hint of sadness in my voice.  

He bent down to look me in the eyes, his hands on my shoulders. "Please think about it," he murmured. Charlie softly kissed my cheek. He jogged over to his car and hopped in. He drove away, leaving me standing there, shocked at what happened.  

I finally realized what had happened, and touched my cheek, where he kissed me. I felt like I was in a fairy tale.  

I slowly walked onto the porch and gathered the dishes. I brought them to the kitchen, putting them in the dishwasher.  

Going back onto the porch, I looked at the iHome, to see the time. It was 4:58pm.  

I took my things to my room, and replugged my iHome, restarting the music. Today Was A Fairy tale, by Taylor Swift. It was kind of ironic. I set my computer down on my desk.  

"Hey! I'm home!" My dad shouted.  

"Okay!" I replied.  

I sat down on my bed, thinking of what I should do. I decided on a shower. I changed and hopped into the hot water thinking about my life.  

I let out a giant sigh. What was I gonna do? I couldn't disobey my father like that! But, I like Charlie so much, and he likes me!  

This is where a girl needs her mom. But that's not gonna happen. 

I got out of the shower an hour later and changed into my pajamas.  

I decided that writing would help me think about everything. I went over to my desk and sat down. I opened a new document in Google Chrome, and was lightly drumming my fingers on the keyboard. 

The song Breakaway, by Kelly Clarkson came on.  

I listened closely to the lyrics, knowing that Kelly Clarkson's songs have meaningful lyrics most of the time.. [{(listen to the song, at least the refrain!)}]  

"I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly 

I'll do what it takes 'til I touch the sky 

And I'll make a wish, take a chance, make a change 

And breakaway 

Out of the darkness and into the sun 

But I won't forget all the ones that I loved 

I'll take a risk, take a chance, make a change 

And breakaway."  

The line 'take a risk, take a chance, make a change, and breakaway,' kept repeating in my head.  

I started typing about my feelings, opinions, and thoughts on the situation, and how the lyrics helped me.  

I expected it to be a few paragraphs, but it turned out to be almost three full pages. By the time I was finished with the paper, it was almost seven.  

I went downstairs, my legs sore from being in a sitting position for so long.  

I saw my father sitting on the couch, watching T.V.  

"Hey, Dad," I greeted.  

"Hey sweetie. Is everything okay?" He asked, full of concern.  

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little tired," I lied.  

"You sure? Because I'm pretty sure you haven't eaten since I got home." He stated.  

"Yeah, I'm fine Dad. I just was about to get in the shower when you got home, and then I got caught up in writing," I explained.  

"Alright," my dad agreed. "Go eat something." 

"Okie doke," I replied.  

I walked into the kitchen, and made myself some pasta. Once it was cooked, I put some butter and Parmesan cheese on it. I ate slowly, thinking about today.  

The lyrics were still running through my head. One part of me was telling me to say yes to Charlie, and another part says no.  

I put my empty pasta bowl in the dish washer. I made my way to the living room, where my dad was watching a movie.  

I plopped down next to him and asked, "Whatcha watching?" 

"Harry Potter: Prisoner of Azkaban," he answered. 

"Awesome," I replied. I sat there watching the movie with him for a while, letting my mind away from Charlie and my problems.  

The movie ended around nine. "I'm gonna go lay in bed Dad," I said, giving him a kiss on the cheek.  

"Alright. Sleep tight. Love you," he replied.  

"Love you too," I called back.  

I went into my room and grabbed my computer and phone and went and sat on my bed.  

I had a text from Alex saying: Are you okay? Your dad called me.  

I responded: Yeah I'm fine. Just a little over-tired.  

Alex said: Okay. Well if you aren't happy by tomorrow, I'm fixing that.:) 

I replied: Alright, haha. Have fun with that!:).  

I opened my computer and opened another document.  

I started typing out a letter to my mom, explaining everything that's going on, and how much I need her help. 

I save the document and put it under my "Private Writing" folder, where I put all my other writings that aren't for school.  

I shut my laptop off, and set it on the floor next to my bed, not wanting to get up from my comfortable bed. I checked the time on my phone, and saw that it was 9:46pm. 

I laid my phone on my nightstand and wriggled under my blankets. I his my face in my pillow, so my father wouldn't hear my cries. I haven't cried myself to sleep ever since what happened with mom. But tonight I did.