The Bad Boy's Promises

Relocation

Nova

Once we got home, I ran into the house upstairs to my bedroom. I grabbed two suitcases from the closet and shoved clothes into them. Screw the wrinkles. I can iron them later.

I dumped my bra, panties, socks, tee shirts, jeans, hoodies, and pajamas in them. I had to sit on the suitcases to lock them before the clothes sprung everywhere like a spring. Boing!

Next, I grabbed my toiletries and crammed them into a bag. Organization be damned.

I never understood the people who organized their toiletries. Do they plan to use certain products on a particular day? You wash and use deodorant daily so you don't offend people with your b.o. Trust me. My former classmates need a lesson in personal hygiene.

Luckily for me, we had a dress code. I didn't have to see girls with their boobs almost falling out of their tops or their thongs. I saw enough of that at the clubhouse.

The guys were even better. Between the jocks and wannabe bad boys, I shook my head. Both were equally annoying. Wearing a leather jacket and riding a motorcycle doesn't make you a bad boy. Maiming and killing people does. Ooh, look at me. I'm a bad boy with a billion tattoos who wears a leather jacket, smokes, drinks, and bangs a million chicks. Pft, big deal. My dad does that and more.

I grabbed the suitcase handles, dragged the bags from the bed, and fell on the floor with them. I was a tangled mess of limbs and luggage.

My dad chuckled at my predicament. "Problems?"

I blew a strand of loose hair from my face and stood up. "I forgot how much shit I packed. I didn't think my luggage would take me out."

My dad laughed even more. "You didn't need to pack your entire closet."

"I need the essentials while I stay with Aunt Wren. A girl needs the right clothes and shoes. How else will I run from stupid people if I don't have traction?"

My dad shook his head. "I wish your new school luck."

"I can survive a new school with new idiot people. I've learned from watching your club members."

My dad arched his brow and gave me a piercing gaze. He hated it when I disrespected his club since he was the Prez. "Nova."

I realized I had overstepped with my dad and retreated. He tolerates a lot from me. He won't accept my disrespect.

"Sorry."

"You don't need to respect the club girls. But you will respect the old ladies and club members."

I nodded in response.

"I ordered two pizzas for us since it's your last night. Plus, I need to set some ground rules for you."

I groaned because I hated my dad's ground rules. I shuffled from my bedroom downstairs to the living room. From there, Dad and I sat on the couch while he set the ground rules: no drinking or smoking. No wiping the floor with anyone. No stealing bikes. No jail time.

Other kids get the don't do anything wrong. I get the talk about not landing my ass in the clink. I prefer not to go to jail. Orange is not my favorite color. I like blue or black clothing with some color thrown in for good measure.

The pizzas arrived, and we dug in. Oh, cheesy goodness, where have you been all my life? Could I marry you and call it good?

"Stop moaning, Nova. No father wants to hear his daughter mention unspeakable sounds."

I chewed the mound of food stuffed into my mouth and swallowed. "I can't help it. I've died and gone to greasy heaven. If I could marry this pizza, I would."