𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐁𝐘 𝐌𝐄

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑

We all went back home to get the things we needed as soon as we had our plan set.

I stopped outside my front door, my hand hovering over the handle, hesitant. I took a deep breath, then went inside.

I closed the door behind me. Turning back around, I was lost for words when I saw a familiar face sitting at the kitchen table.

"Dad!" I exclaimed, a stupid grin lighting up my face.

He stood from his chair "Hey my sweet girl!" I ran into his arms as he gave me a long, comfortable hug. "Oh, i've missed you so much" he said, kissing the top of my head. "I've missed you too" I replied.

We pulled away from the hug. "But, I thought you were at work?" I questioned. When he's working, he leaves the house really early before I wake up, and only arrives back home late in the night when i've just gone to bed. It's rare that I see him.

"I managed to convince my boss to finish early, just so I could see you!" he says happily.

My heart instantly dropped. The only time my dad comes home early, to see me, i'm gonna be out the house for a day and a half. Call that back luck.

"Oh dad, that's amazing!" I smiled.

His smile slightly faltered. "Uh oh. I feel a 'but' coming"

I bit the inside of my cheek. "But,"

"Dang it. I knew it"

"I'm sorry, me and my friends were planning on going out. To..make the most of this weather, and summer, before it ends" I confessed guiltily, slipping in a lie. But at the same time, it wasn't exactly a lie either.

I could tell in his face that he was bummed, but he covered it up with a soft smile. "It's okay honey. Who am I to stop you from going out with you friends?"

"A-Are you sure? I don't have to go" I stammered. I was really bummed too.

"No, no! Don't be ridiculous, it's okay! Go out and have fun" he reassured me, squeezing my shoulders.

A smile spread across my face. "Thank you, dad" I gave him another hug. He hugged me back "Of course"

Ten minutes passes as I gathered everything I needed for our journey. I grabbed my canteen and filled it up with water, then I grabbed my roll-mat to sleep on, and slung them both over my shoulder.

I jogged back down the stairs. I stopped just before I passed the living room. I peeked my head around the corner to see my mom fast asleep on the couch. I exhaled, then walked into the kitchen where my dad was.

"You got everything you need?" he asks, closing his newspaper. I nod "Yeah, i'm all set!"

He reaches into his pocket. "Here" he hands me $2.

"Thanks dad!" I smile, stuffing it into my pocket.

He leans down and gives me another hug, squeezing me tight. "I hope you have a wonderful time, sweetie. Make it last, you'll only be this young and free once"

I nod in his shoulder. "I will"

He lets me go, giving me a kiss on the top of my head. "Bye dad! I'll see you soon!" I walk towards the door. He says his goodbyes, and I leave the house.

————————————

It was almost noon as we set out to find the body of a dead kid named Ray Brower.

I was walking down the street, on my way to meet up with the guys. Out of nowhere, I suddenly hear a familiar voice. 

"Right here's cool" I hear Chris's voice say to someone, as a blue truck pulls up beside me. He hopped off of the truck, thanking the driver, and then the driver drove off.