Alyssa
"So did you find your way around school?" Jack asks me. "Yeah. It was a bit confusing though. Thanks for helping me." I smile at him and nod awkwardly. "Hey why don't you come over later?" He asks. "You have my number so if your dad says it's okay, then we can pick you up and you can hang out." He offers. I didn't think I'd make a friend on the first day of school, I didn't think they'd invite me over.
"Um. I'd have to ask my dad, of course he's probably going to want to talk to your parents. He's pretty protective." I laugh. A car horn interrupts our conversation and I see that it's my dad. "Alyssa, cmon we have things to do." He yells. "I'll call you later." I yell and wave to jack as he waits for his parents.
"Who was that?" Dad asks as he looks at me through his sunglasses. "That's my friend jack. He wanted to know if I could hang out with him later, but I said it was all up to you, and he doesn't live far from us, and of course you'll meet his parents." I ramble because I fear I'll get in trouble for asking. It's just something about dad that makes feel like if I ask for something I'll get in trouble.
"As long as I get to meet his parents, and I get to pick you up from his house." He says. Really, I didn't expect that so quickly. Usually when I ask for something it's "I'll think about it" or "are you sure" or "I'll have to be there with you." "Are you serious?" I ask him. He nods and smiles. "Yeah, but you have to clean your room first, and then clean out the basement while I'm gone to go get something for dinner." He says and pulls into our neighborhood.
"Oh my god, dad thank you." I say and clap my hands in excitement. He pulls up into our driveway and throws me the keys to open the door. "Dont forget to clean!" He yells and I throw him back the keys and walk into the house. I never realized how big our house really is when only one person is in it. There's so much room, but for fifteen years I thought it was so small.
I pull out my phone and give jack a quick text.
To jack: I have to clean the house first but I'll text you when my dad gets back so he can meet you and your parents.
I waited for a minute until it said "delivered" and shoved it into my back pocket. I run up to my room and look at all the stuff I have to clean. Since there wasn't much, I just picked up the clothes from my floor and put them into the dirty laundry basket. Usually when dad says I need to clean he makes it sound like we're hoarders when really, it's just a pair of shorts on the floor.
I close my door and then walk to the door that leads to the basement. I turn on the huge bright light before I walk into the basement stairway. Basements always scare me. They're just too empty and they have a bad rep thanks to movies. Sweeping was the first thing that came to mind, and since we had a small basement, it wasn't that hard of a job.
Once i was finished I looked around for other stuff to organize or clean and I come across a box. Across the box it said "Alyssa" in all capital, red letters. I go to open the box but I was interrupted. "Alyssa! Dinners here." My dad yells and rush upstairs. I had enough of that creepy basement. I walk into the kitchen and meet my dad. "Chinese?" I ask.
Dad nods and hands me a box of food. "Thanks." I smile at him.
"So when's your friend coming to get you?" He asks
"I told him I'd text him whenever you got back, but I'll wait until dinners over." I say and wait for a bit. "Did you clean?" He asks and shoves noodles in his mouth. I nod and take a bite of food. He walks up to me and removes a piece of dust from my hair. "There you go." He says and smiles.
"Hey dad, maybe later we should go through that box that has my name on it." I say. He gives me a stern look and shakes his head. "Alyssa that box is none of your business. It's grown up stuff, and I don't want you touching it." He says and closes the basement door. "But dad, it has my name on it in big bright red letters!" I object. "Alyssa, I said no-" he interjects
"But dad?!" I plead. I'm really curious to know what's in that box, it MY name on it after all. "Alyssa! I said no!" He barks. I've never seen dad this serious, angry, and stern all at once. It's honestly quite intimidating. Not even two hours ago i saw the nice generous father that I've seen my entire life. It's like in a split second his whole personality changes.
I swallow the lump in my throat and nod. I then feel my phone vibrate in my back pocket and read the screen. "Can I come now?" Jack asks. I type a quick "yes." And put it back in place. "Is that your friend, Jack?" Dad asks and locks the basement door and shoves the key in his pocket. I nod and look away.
"When will he be here?"
"In just a second."
"Good, he can join us for dinner." Dad smiles and becomes a whole new person. Ever since I started public school. He's changed. He more suspicious too, and I don't like the person he's becoming. It's as if he's hiding something, and I'm going to figure out.
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Sorry that chapter took forever to update
