Moonlight | Conrad Fisher

Chapter 35 "Mentally?"

"Shit." I mumbled as the door made a loud creaking sound. Mentally, I cursed myself out for being stupid and walking through the front door but I didn't really feel like climbing through my window at this hour.

I took my heels into my hands and started turning around to go back to my room. Hopefully, unnoticed. Right as I turned around the lights in the hallway turned on and there stood my dad, stone cold expression on his face.

God you're so stupid Athena.

"Where the hell were you?" He asked with his arms crossed and a raised eyebrow.

Pursing my lips, I thought of an excuse but literally nothing came to mind. "Grocery shopping?" I bit my lip and narrowed my eyes at him, knowing that he wasn't an idiot and he wouldn't be grateful for my sarcasm in this situation.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, I could hear him mumbling something under his breath before turning on his heels and walking back to where his room was. My shocked expression couldn't even be described at this point. I usually get into much more trouble that just a mumble.

I shook my head before making my way upstairs to where my room was. My loose curls were pulled into a ponytail in a matter of seconds and I welcomed my pyjamas as I shrugged into them.

Thank god collage is over for the summer break. I couldn't deal with it anymore.

——

"Conrad you can't just blurt out something like that and expect me to be fine with it!" I looked at my boyfriend with teary eyes as he just shook his head repeatedly. His hands were tangled up behind his neck as he looked down on me. "How many times do I have to tell you that it's not happening?"

Conrad poked the inside of his cheek with his tongue before shaking his head once more. "Athena you know I don't want this any more than you do. But you know how he is. It's only putting you in trouble."

"So what? You're just going to give up on us? On this, because my dad doesn't want it. Well you know, I also don't want to have to brush my hair every morning but I do it anyway!"

I could see how his eyes rolled at my opinion but I couldn't bring myself to think like he did. I'm not leaving him alone due to other people's opinions.

"No, Athena. You can't hate me for this, you know it's right for you. I want to be with you but if that means constant arguing with your dad and-"

"No, I get it. You're just saying it with other words. You say it Conrad. It's not that hard-"

My sentence got interrupted as I watched the brunette in front of me get frustrated. "Stop, Athena. I don't mean it at all-"

"Leave me alone."

——

I woke up gasping from my nightmare. Not really a nightmare but more of a memory. I groaned as I bit my bottom lip, my eyes starting to water. Remembering what I have to do today, I got up and wiped my eyes of the non existent tears.

Grabbing my phone from my bed, of course I forgot to charge it, I sent a text to Belly that I'd be there in a few hours. Wouldn't miss Steven's party for the world.

Bringing myself together, I did my skincare routine and started getting ready. Both mentally and physically. Why am I thinking so much at this time of the day?

Never mind, I totally forgot what happened last night. And thank god that my father is at work right now and that he can't ground me or something. I think that he actually made peace with the fact that I'd never listen to him.

I curled my hair and did my makeup as I put on a denim skirt with a white tank top paired with white platforms. God, my love for heels will never die. I got Belly the same ones but in green for her going away gift.

After touching up my makeup and putting it in a bag to be able to touch it up when I'm at the party, I got my car keys and texted my father that I was on my way to the Conklin's.

The car ride would be full of good music for the next few hours. And it's also a good thing that I haven't gotten over anything that's happened in the past year, because this trip is my excuse to let my mind wander to the most dreadful and miserable moments in my life.

As I put the car in reverse, my I looked to the bracelet that was around my hand and smiled.

Susannah.

——

I took one last look at myself in the rear view mirror before taking my phone and stepping out of the car. I could already hear the loud noises of music and people actually screaming the lyrics of songs.

Smiling, I remembered when I was just 14 and wanted to experience the teenage 'dream' life. Naive and stupid, the only thing I wanted was to go to parties and to live freely but when you actually get the opportunity, you realise it's much better to just be around the people you enjoy.

I walked in, earning some looks from younger people that didn't recognise me. How welcoming of them, such rays of sunshine.

Chuckling to myself, I saw three familiar heads pop into my eye view. I stood behind them all while listening into what a guy that I didn't recognise had to say. "You call this a party? Where are all the hot ladies you promised?"

"I mean, you do have two perfectly stunning women in front of you. Are you blind or something?" I chuckled as all of the, now five, people turned around with a shocked face. My sentence was referring to Belly and Taylor. God they've changed so much it's actually crazy.

"You're kidding!" Belly laughed before brining me into a heart crushing hug. "I didn't know you'd come so fast! I've missed you so much Nina." She pulled away from the hug to look at me but brung me into a hug again.

"Yeah, kind of got a speeding ticket for that." I scrunched up my nose as Steven was the next one to pull me into a hug and basically lift me up from the ground. Giggling, I yelled at him to put me down and he did as I said.

I ruffled up his hair as he looked at me with a dearly expression, meaning that he'd kill me for ruining his perfectly fixed hair on his most important day. "Missed you, Greek." Steven pulled me into another side hug as I smiled again at the nickname.

Taylor was the third in line to pull me into a hug, she earned a compliment about her bangs as I looked at all three of them. Yet, there were still three people missing. I knew Jayden would definitely be coming today. There was no way he'd miss-

My thoughts got rudely interrupted as I felt someone grab me from behind and bring me up. I started screaming before realising who it was. "Missed you too, shithead. I'm actually offended that you'd went to hug these people rather than your own brother first."

My smile widened as I hit my brother across the chest and pulled him into a hug. I've missed this.

It almost feels like a reunion. Except for the fact that everything is wrong.

Everything.