I trudge into English, groaning heavily. I sit next to Leo, my head immediately resting on his shoulder.
"Not a fan of English first thing on a Monday, hmm?" He quips and I sigh, shaking my head before pulling out my notebook. "Maxine got a new car." I mention. Leo scoffs. "Yeah, I saw it on her Insta. Bit unnecessary, don't you think?" He comments, I nod, jotting down some notes. "Well at least Melody is kind of talking to us again. I suppose." I say, fiddling with the ring Leo got me. He smiles, kissing my cheek. "Don't worry, Riley. She'll come around eventually. She always does."
(12:00PM)
I sit down at our usual table, smiling at Leo. He pulls me into his lap, feeding me my lunch. Melody and Caleb come and sit down, Melody straddling him.
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{Riley, Melody, Leo and Caleb's outfits!}
"Do you really need to straddle him? We're in public!" Leo complains. "Yes. Why are you staring if it makes you uncomfortable?" Melody counters. I sigh. "Don't start, you two. I want peace." I grumble. "Speaking of peace, here come Max, Ashlee, Ivy and Cameron." Caleb comments. Maxine walks up to me. "I'm not gonna be home tonight. Staying with Ivy." She comments, looking at her phone. "You can't. Grandpa, Stacy and Nikki are coming." I say firmly. Maxine looks up from her phone. "First of all, Stacy is not our grandmother. Debbie is. So why isn't she coming? Second of all, unless I can bring Ivy and Ash I'm not coming. I would bring Cammie but he hates Grandpa with a passion." She states. Cameron shivers. "That man is a fucking weirdo." He says. Melody snorts. "He kind of is, Riley." She agrees. I glare at her. "Not helpful." I hiss. She shrugs. I look at Maxine. "Fine, I'll let Papa and Dad know." I tell her. Maxine wrinkles her nose. "I don't need Xornoth's permission. He's not my dad." She walks off, her group following right behind her. "Well, that went well!" Leo says. I growl in disagreement. Melody giggles. "Have fun." She stands up, walking off with Caleb.
(6:30PM)
"MAXINE ASH GRACEFFA!" Papa shouts. Nikki winces at his volume.
Maxine walks in with Ivy and Ashlee on either side. "Let's get this over and done with." She mutters, sitting down. Stacy smiles. "It's nice that you brought your friends, Maxine!" She says. Maxine looks at her, raising an eyebrow. "Right. Anyways, why are we having this dinner?" She asks. Ash and Ivy snicker. "Come on, baby. Give em' a chance." She kisses Maxine on the cheek. "Yeah, Max! Maybe they'll hand you some cash!" Ivy quips. Maxine giggles. "These cheap fuckers? Yeah, sure." She comments. "Maxine!" Papa snaps. Maxine rolls her eyes. Grandpa scowls. "Your behaviour disappoints me, Maxine. You're 18, now. You should be focusing on your studies!" He chides. Ash glares at him. "Says the bitch who never comes and visits." Nikki gasps. "Ashlee!" Dad shouts. Maxine stands up. "Don't you dare raise your fucking voice to my girlfriend ever again. Know your place, Xornoth." She hisses. "Maxine, calm down! This is getting out of hand!" I cry. Maxine looks at me. "Your father-" I interrupt her. "I know what he did! Just go." Maxine, Ashlee and Ivy leave, the front door slamming behind them.
I sit back down, sighing. Dad looks guilty. "Riley, I'm sorry-" I interrupt him. "Don't. Why can't we ever be normal? Jesus fucking Christ!" I raise my voice. "Riley Graceffa-Burnes!" Papa scolds. I roll my eyes. "Stop, Papa. You forgot her birthday! Of course she's pissed!" I state. Nikki sighs. "Let's just eat." Stacy says. We eat in silence, enough words said.
