Room 210

Chapter one

Room 210 Chapter one

“Bye sweetie! See you in four months!” Andi shrieked as I pulled my rolling bag out of the trunk.

“Good riddance.” I mumbled under my breath.

“Nikky, what did we talk about just last night?” My dad scolded, bopping the back of my head.

“Yes Dad,” to Andi I said, “Bye you evil woman! I hope you drown in your own awfulness!"

“Veronica! You are impossible!” Dad yelled.

After the “incident” last night, I laid in bed contemplating today. I was going to be moving out. Completely o-u-t. Dad couldn’t tell me what to do any more. No Andi for practically ever. Maybe while they were on their mock-honeymoon, Dad would see her awful side and leave her. I decided that I would be as nasty as possible to Andi today before she left. Who knows? I might not be able to do it again.

Then there was the “dad” problem. In his enraged state, he grounded me for three different time lengths. I didn’t want to bring it up, but since I was moving out, it wouldn’t matter much. He was so sweet this morning. Almost as if he was apologetic. But then Andi woke up and he remembered our argument from the night before. I think he burnt my bacon on purpose...

“Nikky? We have to get up to your room. Andi and I want to get something to eat before we get on the plane.” Dad snapped me out of my reverie.

“Sorry, Dad. I’ll show you were the dorms are.”

“Alright.”

We traveled in silence for a while. I saw some people I knew, and waved, but they seemed uncomfortable with my dad there.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I opened it to find a text.

From Brandent:

Hey cutie. Who’s that old guy you’re with?

I replied,

To Brandent:

Dent, the old guy is my dad. I know what you’re thinking. Pervert!

From Brandent:

You know me so well! XP

I shook my head and put my phone back in my pocket.

“Who was that?” Dad asked. He scanned my face looking for clues, “A boy, for sure. Which one?”

“Dent, Dad. He asked who I was with.”

“And what did you tell him?”

“None of your business, Dad.” I snapped.

He sighed, “Sometimes I forget how much like your mother you are.”

At the mention of my mother, I shut down. Dad didn’t like talking about her and neither did I. We never brought her up.

“I’m in room 210,” I said to change the very uncomfortable topic. “I can take my stuff from here.”

“Nikky, I-”

I cut him off. “No, Dad. I don’t want you to miss your flight. Have fun in Europe.”

He hesitated for a moment before saying, “You better write to me. Keep a journal or something.”

“Dad...” I whined.

He grinned as he handed me my shoulder bag, “I love you, Nikky.”

“I love you too, Dad. Have fun with the She-bit-”

“Veronica!” He stopped me firmly. “I know you don’t like her, and I’m sorry,” He pulled me into a tight hug. “But I love her. Maybe you’ll miss her while we’re gone.”

“Like a snowball misses Hell, Dad.” I said, hugging him back.

“Keep that spunk, Kiddo.” He said proudly as he mussed up my hair.

“Dad!” I swatted his hand away, giggling.

We stopped and stared at each other for a minute. Then breaking the silence was the sound of a starship whooshing. “That’s Andi.” Dad whispered.

“Probably wondering where you are to steal you away.” I replied.

“I love you, Nikky.” He said again.

“I love you, too, Dad.” I mumbled as I snuggled into his chest. “I’m going to miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too, baby,” his phone whooshed again, “I gotta go.”

“Okay. Will you send me postcards?” I asked.

“Of course,” He gently pried me off of him, “Every second I get, I’ll write to you.”

I smiled as he started walking backwards. “I’ll see you in four months, Dad.”

“Bye, Sweetheart.” He blew me a kiss and turned to walk forward.

I watched him walk off until I couldn’t see him anymore. Well, Nikky, You’re a full time college girl now. What’s the first thing you’re going to do?  I thought to myself. I’m glad you asked that, Veronica. I answered as I felt the first hot tear roll down my cheek. I’m going to go to my room and cry my eyes out.

I picked up the handle of my rolling bag and continued on my way, tears streaming. Room 210. I kept repeating. I just have to make it there.

“Hey Nikky!” Dad’s voice came from behind me.

I turned and there he was. “Yes, Dad?” I asked trying to keep my voice level.

“I forgot. I wanted to give you this,” He handed me a small envelope. “Don’t spend it all in one place, okay?”

Confused, I opened the envelope. Inside was more money than any one person should carry on their person at one time, and a small metallic object. It was a key. “That’ll open the front and back door of the house.” He said.

I was speechless. “I thought I had to stay here.” I mumbled.

“This is for emergencies only. If you throw any wild parties, I’ll take it back,” He laughed “Not really. It’s for if you find that you’ve left something you can’t live without at home and need to get it back.”

I threw my arms around his neck and the flood of tears started. “I love you, Daddy.”

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