Fix the broken

Chapter 3.

  Maria
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I'm standing outside my dads office. He has an office at the house too so he can finish some work he didn't finish at home. I'm scared. I don't know how he will take me getting a C. I've never gotten a C. I've only ever gotten A's. Call me annoying, teachers pet, pick me, whatever, I don't care. I take my grades seriously because I'm scared my dad will leave like my mom.

Did my mom leave because of my grades? I don't know, I don't think so because I've always had pretty good grades. But still, anything can happen.

Please don't leave me. Please don't leave us. Please please please. I say on a constant loop in my head as I knock on the door.

"Come in." My dad answers. Shakily I open the door and walk in. " Hi, honey. How was your day today?" He asks. I feel like I'm going to cry but I don't. I put my feelings aside and just blurt it.

"IgotaConmymathquiz" I blurt. He looks at me like I just spoke a different language. Which it probably made no sense of what I said, because I got it all out at once. So I sigh and tell him again but slower. " I got a C on my math quiz." I murmur. He looks surprised so I'm expecting the worst. Why? I don't know. Maybe because I always expect the worst because of Efren. He looks at me and his eyes soften.

" Oh, it's okay cariño. This is your first grade other than a A. Correct?" He questions, I nod. " Okay then I don't see the problem. As long as this doesn't become a regular thing then it's okay. And also I know you have a lot on your plate, thank you so much for taking care of your siblings. I am forever grateful for all you do for the family." He reply's softly.

" So- so you're not mad?" I question. He looks at me like I'm crazy and now I'm just confused.

" Of course I'm not mad. Why would I be mad if you made one bad grade? That doesn't make sense, especially because I know you're dealing with other things as well as school. Speaking of other things, how's your boyfriend... what was his name? Elfren?" He reply's. I want to laugh that he just called Efren, Elfren, but I'm not going to.

" No dad his name is Efren and I think I'm going to break up with him soon." I reply, " but thank you for not being mad about the grade. I promise to do better next time." I quickly add.

" Of course cariño, why are you thinking about breaking up with Efren?" He questions.

" We're just not working out. We haven't been for awhile." I reply. He nods " Okay well thank you so much about the quiz, I promise to do better next time, I love you." I tell him

" I love you too, and im not mad about the quiz. I could never be." He says, which gives me huge relief. I leave his room after giving him a hug, and make my way to my room.

Me: Dad wasn't mad about the quiz grade.

Mae Mae: I knew he wouldn't be. You were stressing for nothing.

Me: I know, I just expect the worst because of E.

Mae Mae: yeah I know. What happened when you found out your grade? I heard you walked out of class.

Me: I had a panic attack. Over a stupid grade. I tried calling you but I couldn't really see. Then guess who helped me.

Mae Mae: I know it wasn't E and it wasn't me so I don't know.

Me: it was Lorenzo.

Me Mae: NO WAY! STOP LYING RIGHT NOW.

Me: definitely not lying. I was just as shocked. He probably ran after me to make fun of me about getting a better grade. But I still wonder why he helped me.