༄ 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓, grover underwood

𝐈𝐈𝐈. 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐓 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄.

The car ride home to my dad's seemed like years. Every second felt like an hour. I couldn't wait to see my dad.

My father has the most gorgeous hazel eyes, soft fluffy hair, and a perfect smile. I'd always wondered why he didn't become a model. It's not like he didn't have the opportunity; multiple people had given him their business cards. For some reason, he settled for working at a gas station.

I didn't care. If he's happy, I'm happy. Yet again, I wish he hadn't married my step-mom, Cheryl. She doesn't like me, and has done nothing to hide it, either. She always has her dumb friends over to drink beer, order pizza, and watch Wheel Of Fourtune and Jeopardy!. It's annoying. Not that I don't like the shows, I love them. I used to watch them with my dad. It's annoying cause she won't let me have pizza.

Eventually, I arrive at the apartment complex. I thank the driver, then enter the apartment. Immediately, I can smell the beer, and hear Wheel Of Fortune playing in the background. Cheryl looks at me.

"Oh, look at that. Dummy got kicked out of school. Again. What is it, the 7th time already?"

She taunts.

"Where's my dad?"

I ask, not in the mood to deal with her.

She scoffs slightly.

"At work. Obviously. Where else did you think he'd be?"

I shrug. Cheryl grins her snobby grin.

"I knew you weren't gonna be at that academy for long. You can barley spell academy."

She taunts me. One of her friends, Carol, nudges her side. Hard.

"Cheryl, leave the kid alone. She just got back."

Cheryl scoffs.

"I'll do whatever the hell I want, Carol! And you,"

She says, staring at me.

"You go straight to your room. I do not have the time to deal with your God damn attitude today."

"Why? Cause Jeopardy! is on soon? Think there's gonna be a handsome guy on there?"

I retort. I watch her face flush in anger.

"Go to your room!!"

She yells. I take my shoes off and storm off to my room. I hate Cheryl. So, so, so, so much. I hate her and her dumb friends.

I sit on my bed, then pull the necklace out of my bag. I stare at the rock, running a thumb over it. I don't know if I can hate Grover. He's the only one I've felt like actually cares to be around me.

I hear the door open, and I know my dad's home, cause I hear his voice and Cheryl's too. I don't even notice a smile creeping on my face. I put the necklace away, and act like I didn't hear his voice.

The door to my room opens, and my dad peeks his head in.

"Oh, my God, Kaylee."

He mutters, coming over to me and enveloping me into a hug. I immediately reciprocate it, burying my face into his shoulder. I missed him so much. I don't even notice tears pooling in my eyes, I'm so focused on being in my dad's embrace again.

My dad notices though, and pulls away to wipe the tears away from my eyes.

"Hey, hey, Kay. Don't cry. It's okay. I'm here."

He says, hugging me again. I bury my face into his shoulder again. Words can't even express how much I missed him. I just weep into his shoulder. I can't help it.

When I eventually calm down, my dad looks at me.

"I'm not mad about you getting kicked out of Yancy. Okay?"

He reassures. I nod, feeling a bit better. I don't know where he's going with this.

"Pack your bags."

He simply says. I look at him, confused.

"Where are we going?"

I ask.

"The summer house. Just the two of us."

He answers. I don't even notice a grin coming onto my face.

I absolutely LOVE my summer house. Me and my dad go every year, usually, but ever since he married Cheryl, we haven't really went. I especially loved the forest, but my dad usually didn't let me go. Said there was ticks.

"Really!? Just us?!"

I ask. He nods.

"Yup, pack up, then we can go. Alright?"

He asks, and I nod, smiling like an idiot. Finally, I can actually spend one on one time with my dad. Been a while since then.

I look up at the sign above my door.

It reads "Home Sweet Home."