the charm game [h.s]

2

[ A L E X ]

"Thank you for the lovely evening Mr and Mrs. Voss!" My dad's friend says, shaking first my mother's then my father's hands. We all exchanged our goodbyes and soon they are gone.

"Now weren't they a lovely bunch? Daniel there will be a great asset for the company!" My father laughs, walking back into the house. I roll my eyes and let out a yawn. This was a long evening and I'm ready for bed.

"I'll say, Ben is in my form room at my new school, score!" My little brother Chase adds excitedly. Ah yes my little brother has already made friends and I haven't. I let out a small laugh and bend down to take my shoes off.

Mum close the door and turns to me.

"Want to watch a movie Alex?" she asks.

"Yeah how about it Al?" my dad adds playfully, linking his arm around Mum's waist.

"Um I'll probably just go to sleep, I'm really tired from the trip and it's been a long day," I murmur to my parents. My mum pouts slightly, but my dad just stands there smiling at me. I furrow my eyebrows and narrow my eyes at him.

"Why are you smiling at me?" I ask.

His smile gets wider and he looks down at mum, she registers his motives and turns back at me, smiling smugly. What are they doing? I'm so confused.

"Alexandra, honey, we have a surprise for you!" my dad exclaims.

"What surprise?" I question suspiciously. What would they surprise me with?

New shoes? A new pet? Moving back to Australia? Ha - I can only wish.

"We'll have to show you!" Dad grabs my hands and leads me to the front door. He covers my eyes before he opens it and walks me outside - Mum only a few steps behind us.

"What is this? Why are you covering my eyes?" I say, trying to pull his hands away. Seriously? Am I five years old? I can hear Mum snort quietly, which makes me smile.

"Alexandra just wait, you'll see in a moment!" I let out a groan, I hate surprises. We stop all of the sudden and Mum grabs my hand.

"Are you ready Alex?" she asks. Ready? Ready for what? I nod and about three seconds later my dad whips his hands away from my eyes and there's a white sports car in front of me. My eyes widen and my mouth drops open. I turn and look at my Mum and Dad who are smiling at me like Cheshire cats.

"Surprise!" they say in unison. I look back to car and then back at them again, mouth hanging open.

"Wha-What? Is that for me?" I stutter. Why would they get me a car? I didn't ask for one! I continue to gape at it, taking a small step closer. It looks like an Audi, damn that would have cost a fortune! I feel a spur of guilt ignite in my chest and walk back over to my parents.

"Yes Alex, it's for you! We thought we would get you a car now that you're 17, do you like it? It's an Audi R8." Like it? I absolutely love it! I beam at them both.

"I absolutely love it! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I exclaim, hugging them tightly. I feel the sudden urge to cry because of their generosity. Seriously they are the best people! So loving and thoughtful. I smile into their chests and then step back again to look at my car.

"You know I don't need a car right? This would have cost a fortune!" I mutter disapprovingly. They walk closer to me and Mum puts her hand on my shoulder.

"Sweet heart," She looks down at me, her eyes full of adoration, "You deserve this beautiful girl! You're an amazing student and you're such a kind and respectable young lady, please honey take the car" She kisses my cheek.