Because of Samantha | Original Novel

07 - Because of Anger

"Sam's mom!" Margret hollers, head thrown back, mouth opened wide. Her face was as red as a baboon's rear end. Even when she knows our parents are soon to bond through marital contracting, she still refers to my mother as 'Sam's mom.' Though, I couldn't blame her. Dennis will never be dad to me, either.

Mom appears at our doorway just moments later, peering into our room and fighting patience. I knew by the look on her face that she was probably tending to important wedding things. For the past two weeks, it's been her main focus. With our old house already sold, we're pretty much covered so far. Now, we're worrying about accommodations for our families.

"Sam yelled at me," Margret breathes furiously.

I open my mouth to protest, throwing my hands up in the air and everything, but I was quickly cut off by my own mother telling me to, "Grow up, Sam, and say you're sorry."

This isn't exactly new. I mumbled my fake apology, pushed past my oblivious mother, and stormed downstairs. I haven't really gotten around to being used to this unfair treatment, and everything happening in this house is pissing me off, ultimately starting with how unfamiliar this whole place is. I fling myself onto the couch, grab the remote, and flick on the television. There wasn't anything else to do, anyways. I finished my homework during Study Hall.

Some corny Disney show was blaring, but I wasn't listening. I don't even like to watch TV. Instead, I let my mind wander. This hasn't exactly been the best weekend. Aaron's been grounded for the whole fight incident last week, my mother is pushing all the blame onto me, and my step-siblings are doing everything they can to get under my skin. If I could run away at this point, I totally would. Unfortunately, with less than three months until the wedding, there wasn't any way to turn back.

"Sam, could we go on outside and talk for a bit?" It was Dennis. I slowly turn my head towards him, narrowing my eyes in suspicion. "Sure..." I mumble, standing up from the couch and following my mother's fiance to the backyard porch.

What does he want?

"It's nice weather today," Dennis comments lamely, casting his gaze towards the swaying palm trees planted in the corner of the wooden fence. "Perfect Saturday."

"Yeah?" It was more of a question than answer. What was I asking? Well, lets begin to make a list. 1) I'm sort of taken aback by his sudden urge to communicate with me, and 2) I wanted this talk, or whatever it was, to be over with quickly.

Dennis takes in a breath, then finally looks me in the eyes.

"Sam, I love your mom."

"I know."

"No, Sam, you don't know," Dennis snaps at me, growing impatient. "Otherwise, you'd be taking more part in conversation, and spending time with your family."

This isn't my family. That's what I wanted to tell him, but how could I? He seemed pretty bent on not listening to what I'm saying, so why try saying anything at all? I know he loves my mother. I know he wants to be with her. I know he knows that I hate him and his children for infiltrating my life, and I don't understand why he'd even try changing it. It's not going to happen.

"I would thank you to start getting along with Margret," he says, "And Emil, and Ronaldo, cause you know what, kid? We're giving you - an only child - to have the experience of siblings. You should act more grateful."

"I'll give them the experience they give me," I glower, finally snapping. "And so far, the experience your kids are giving me isn't a very good one."

I feel a cold, hard slap on my cheek. Reeling back, I hold a hand to my throbbing face, gawking at Dennis in disbelief. Until now, I thought he was okay. You know, okay to the point where I don't want him to drown in the ocean. But after his recent actions, I felt betrayed. Slowly walking to the gate, I open it up and walk out of the yard. I could barely make out Dennis calling my name, but I didn't stop. I don't want to see his face anymore.

I don't even know if I want to return again.

***

What came over me?

Forty-two minutes and thirty seconds sitting on the rocks of the beach. The ocean spray gently hitting my face, and the soft winds lifting my short black hair. All that, and more, got me thinking about what happened, and what I think is that it's all my fault.

It's my fault mom was getting antsy. She has enough on her plate as it is.

It's my fault Dennis slapped me. I was being a terribly disrespectful teenager.

It's my selfish actions that brought the consequences. Seventeen years, and this is when I finally realize it. With a soft groan, I pull my knees up to my chest, wishing that if I could somehow shrink even smaller, I could disappear. Just for a little bit.

Like dad did.

Perhaps he was actually enjoying his time out there. Free, without strings attached, without anybody to bear down on him and change everything he's ever known. Maybe he was on the other side of this ocean, looking at the same sunset lighting up the waves.

If only it could be that way.

He could be in China, I think lamely. There's no way he could see the same sunset.

***

Hey guyyyyyys. Guess who's been prewriting a buttload of chapters? The next few, I've taken the liberty to write before I put it on Wattpad. I just hope my laptop can start working again, so I can start updating more often. (Though I don't think my updating is too shabby yet.)

Homework's been slowing down. That makes me glad, especially cause I just HATE homework. Why do it at home when you got it down at school, am I right? Anyhow, thanks for reading and have a nice upcoming weekend.