Daddy's Girl

Chapter Six

The days after that were a blur. My mind couldn't think straight. All that I knew was that my father was in the danger of dying.

Word spread around fast, thanks to Abby and Taylor. People before were already crowded around me, and now they were crowded around me breathing down my neck and asking if I was okay, or saying they were sorry.

Bull. They didn't care. They didn't know.

I didn't know.

Slowly, though, they started to back off. I guess they got bored. I didn't care. I liked it better without them.

Even Abby and Taylor started slink away. The girls I had been painting nails with since we were in first grade got bored of me.

Go figure.

The only person who walked by me everywhere I went without bothering me was Izzy. No reassuring words. Otherwise put, no crap. She didn't say anything about it, and that was fine with me. In fact, that was the way I liked it.

The stares continued though. Everywhere I went, I caught people looking my way, with curious looks in their eyes. I stared right back. They had no right to look at me like a zoo animal. But no matter what, once I turned away, the stares continued.

"Hey. You okay?" a hand landed on my shoulder. I shrugged it off, and walked away.

"Whoa. Why the hurry?" the same hand grabbed my wrist and spun me around.

Her smug grin was all the evidence I needed to know that she didn't care one bit.

"Get away Daphne."

"I'm just worried about you that's all." she said, faking innocence.

"Yeah, well, I'm fine. Stop bothering me."

"But honey, you must be devastated." Daphne tilted her head slightly to the side, and raised her eyebrows.

"You wouldn't give a crap." Izzy stepped in to my defense. "You hate Avery the same way everyone hates you and you know it."

"Izzy! Long time no see!" She said with fake cheerfulness, ignoring everything Iz just said.

Izzy glared at Daphne, a glare that would've scared anyone out of their pants, but did nothing to Daphne.

I don't know what's wrong with that girl. One minute she'll be nails and claws, the next she'll be, like, now.

"Daphne, I'm just tired okay? Give me some space." I wasn't really lying. I hadn't had any sleep since before, everything.

"Oh yes, of course you are. You must be after all of this." She gestured her hand around us, where people were staring intently at our conversation. They quickly turned away.

"Well I really hafta go now. Get well!" She turned around and walked away. Ha. Get well? She said it like I was sick or something. Which I wasn't, obviously.

Iz looked at me questionly. I nodded. I don't know for sure what she was wondering, but I guess my nod had answered whatever question she had asked.

-------- _________

"So if x equals thirty two, then t equals-"

I pushed the teacher's nasal voice out of my head. I didn't even try. I knew there would be no way I could concentrate on algebra today.

I remembered when my father used to spin me around in the air. Everytime Iz and Abby and Taylor came over they would ask for it. It stopped on my ninth birthday.

I don't remember exactly what happened, but I do remember screaming, and crying, and me, huddled under the table, watching my parents fight. I never asked for another spin, and he never gave me another one.

I had forgotten what it felt like.

---------

"Avery?"

I shook out of my thoughts.

"What?" I asked.

"Were you even paying attention?" Abby asked back.

"No. Sorry. What?"

She gave a frustrated sigh. "Don't you remember? Saturday's my birthday. I told you ready, but you haven't told me if you could come. Can you?"

Oh yeah.

Saturday. That was the day we would finally be allowed to visit my dad.

What was I supposed to say?

"I- I- I- uh.."

RRRRIIIIIINNNGGG!!!

"Okay, whatever. Tell me later, okay?" Abby rushed to get to her next class.

Saved by the bell.