A Girl Named Leigha

Chapter 1

"Leigha," I hear a soft voice coming from downstairs. "Come here". It must be my father, but I am too sleepy to obey and go downstairs. I need some more rest, after months of restless school.

"Leigha?" he insists, but I go on sleeping. He knows I need to rest, but maybe he just needs some help with the housework, which I hate, but am bound to do.

"Leigha", he calls for the third time, and, after getting no answer, he turns to extreme measures, which means my full name. Damn. I don't want to hear it.

"Leighanna Cusato! Are you going to get up, or not?"

After hearing it, I yell back, "Dad! Don't call me Leighanna! I can't stand it!"

"So, get up. I've called you thrice and you never answered!"

"I'm sorry, it's that..."

"What?" he asks suspiciously.

"I had almost no sleep tonight," I finally answer, before going downstairs.

Dad smiles at me and says jokingly, speaking a dainty French, "Bonjour, Mademoiselle Leighanna!"

"Don't. Call. Me. Leighanna! It's the second time I've told you!" I reply angrily, and he hugs me in an attempt to obtain my forgiveness. I don't want to be mad at him, so I decide to get calm. Later, he apologizes for having called me with my awful-sounding birth name, which I hate so much that nobody else uses it, let even myself.

Then, he starts talking about something else. "Well, Leigha, you know ball day is just on the corner. And, then, there will be exams." I groan as soon as he pronounces the last word. Exams. The worst thing a student could ever have to deal with. They are just terrible tests invented by schools not to test each student's level of academic preparation, but to show a new efficient system to torture innocent people. All my friends agree with me. Even Ashlae, who is the second best in our class, hates tests and teachers, let even myself.

My thoughts are interrupted by Dad going on with his speech, "So, I thought that today you could go to the mall with your friends."

"That's not a bad idea," I reply. "And this is they want to do today, especially Caiti. She has been obsessed with her look, lately."

"Wow, Leigha, I am so impressed by your thoughts. I believed for a while that you would deny your friend is a shopping addict."

"Dad, I would never do so. Caiti is proud of being a shopping lover."

"So, you all have to buy something new for the ball, but I cannot leave either Jamie or Britt alone," he states. He seems a bit sad, and I am disappointed at his latest reaction.

"Dad, but you are at home, aren't you?"

"Hmm... Not this afternoon. I have to do something extremely important..."

"What?" I ask, in a fit of curiosity.

"Don't ask."

"Why?"

"I've told you not to ask any questions." he retorts, in a fit of irritation. "And, Leigha..."
"Yes?" I am quite annoyed at him constantly interrupting sentences.

"Make sure your siblings won't get in trouble. And, don't tell them where I am going, because it's not any of your business."

I just nod. I usually tend not to contradict Dad, and, even though he is not so military, I don't want to see him upset or angry. Despite this, I still love him. He has always been here for me and my siblings, especially after Mom left. She and Dad divorced when Brittany was only one, Jamie was three and I was six. It was sad. I never told my friends why she left, not only because it was not their business, but also because I was too upset to even understand what divorce was supposed to be, let even talk about it.

***

As soon as Dad leaves, my siblings come downstairs with extremely happy faces which make me have some suspects on them. I question them, "What's going on with you, guys? Are you planning anything weird? If so, you should stop. Dad said I have to take you to the mall with me and the girls. So, please, at least for once, don't embarrass me!"

Jamie doesn't say a word. Britt, on the other hand, protests, "Why should I embarrass you? You are my sister!"

"Did you forget when the bullies found out about the Pikachu plushy?" I ask and glare at her. She could be crying at any time.

"But at least it was not a Hello Kitty plushy," she tries to defend herself. "Pikachu is not so girly. It's more... boyish."

"Ok, you are right, but this time pay more attention! And, you, Jamie, stop flirting with Coei. She will never share her feelings with you!"

"Why?" he asks shyly.

"Because she is 15, while you are only twelve," I answer, trying not to sound too cold or heartless. But he seems a little hurt by my words, so, "Jamie, I know you love her, but if she doesn't love you back..."

He cuts me off, "She does love me back!"

Suddenly, I hear the bell ringing. I immediately notice there are Mai and Caisa waiting for me. Mai seems nervous and impatient, so I open the door, only to hear Mai scolding me, "We are late, Leigha."

But Caisa contradicts her, "What the fuck are you talking about, Mai? We are super early! Ashlae, Caiti and Coei haven't even got changed, by now!"

"Come in," I intervene, and my friends obey. Britt e Jamie, following my previous warnings, stay behind and play each on their own. Meanwhile, Caisa is visibly stuttering.

"What's up?" I ask, and she immediately answers, "Well, my father doesn't fully believe I am with you. He still treats me like a child!"

"At least he does love you!" comments someone who has come inside the house. It is Caiti. "Mine does not even know what love is supposed to be! He just dedicates himself to his fucking job!"

Ashlae and Coei also reached us, and the former is giving her opinion. "Maybe yours is humble, Caiti, but mine isn't. He and my mom always show off! I can't stand this any more!"

"And my parents argue all the time!" adds Coei. "It's so frustrating!"

"Not as frustrating at my father smoking and drinking almost all the time!" complains Mai.

"Please stop it!" I decide. "Let's go to the mall instead. Jamie, Brittany, follow us, please."

My brother and sister obey as they join my friends outside. I am last, and lock the door, before leaving.

Update question:

What do you think of Leigha so far? Do you think this character gave here a good impression? If not, tell me why.

*AUTHOR'S NOTE*

Hey everyone! This is my newest novel here! Firstly, I want to thank @dauntlessdiamonds for the amazing cover! Secondly, I recommend you to read, vote and leave a honest comment on this story, and, if you like it, tell your friends to read it as well! Thank you!