It's not just complicated, it's a disaster

Disaster (Chapter Thirteen)

Chapter Thirteen

Harriet’s P.O.V

I sat down on the desk and looked over at Kane who had practically the same look as me. We were back in the same classroom with same people and Zeke serious face.

“Right,” Zeke said plainly. “It’s time to tell me everything you know.”

“We know a lot, Zeke,” I said sarcastically.

“I meant about Alex and you know it,” Zeke said angrily.

I rolled my eyes and I saw Kane give me a warning look and I sat back slightly.

“What did you guys find out?” Zeke asked, turning to Jess and Jen.

“Absolutely nothing,” Jess answered.

“Zero,” Jen nodded in agreement.

“Zilch,” Jess echoed.

“But that’s why we think he does have something to hide,” Jen smiled.

“So just give us another week,” Jess said.

“We’ll find out everything,” Jen promised.

“That’s okay with me,” Zeke nodded. “Cassie... Mike?”

Cassie gave Zeke and pointed look but didn’t answer, so Mike sighed and answered for them.

“Her grades are good... her attitude not so much. She got her first detention two months ago and then didn’t even show up,” Mike said.

“Wow, she almost survived her whole high school years without getting one detention, that would be so good,” Tara spoke up.

“Would you care to go next then?” Zeke asked looking at her.

“Oh, yes,” Tara smiled. “I can tell you that Alex hates talking to people at home and if she’s not at home, she’s drinking.”

“Cause we don’t already know that,” I muttered.

Zeke looked over at me and I sighed.

“You want me to go next, right?” I asked him, in my smug voice. “Well, I’ve already told you everything... this is not necessary.”

“Fine, you can all leave then,” Zeke said.

I didn’t move and I think it was clear that Zeke and I were about to fight it out. Tara, Blake, Mike, Jess and Jen all left the room. It was no surprise that Kane didn’t leave, but I was stumped why Cassie didn’t leave.

“I don’t think what you’re doing is right,” Cassie told Zeke, walking over to him.

“What do you mean?” Zeke questioned.

“I don’t think what you’re doing to Alex is fair. I mean I get every single one of us are worried about her, but playing some game with her... she’ll just end up getting hurt, just like you will,” Cassie told him.

“I hate to say it, but she’s right,” Kane said.

“And I was wrong for suggesting the Kassidy thing,” I said. “It was stupid.”

“Well, what do you guys want me to do?” Zeke asked. “Harriet, you said it yourself; I’m the key to finding out to what is wrong with Alex.”

“Well, she’s write there, you are the key to figuring her out, but you’re going about this the wrong way,” Cassie said. “At first I thought it was smart... now, I don’t know anymore.”

“Well, if you have a problem with it, don’t help,” Zeke said.

“Fine,” Cassie said, standing up. “That’s perfectly fine with me.”

She left the room, literally slamming the door behind her. Zeke looked back at us and I curled my lip together.

“I’m going to stop helping, but I’m going to stick around to make sure you don’t do something stupid,” I told him confidently. “And you will do something stupid.”

Alex’s P.O.V

I sat on the couch, legs crossed. I heard the car outside and the sound of the car doors slamming. Crap, Claire was back from the airport with my father. I straightened up on the couch as Tara and Blake entered.

“Are you ready for this?” Tara asked me.

“Nope, definitely not. How about you?” I asked.

“I’ve never been more nervous in my life,” she breathed as Blake took her hand. “Good news is he wants to talk to you first.”

“Perfect,” I whispered.

I heard the door open and Claire and Pommy walked in, Claire looking particularly unhappy.

“He’s just putting his bag away,” Claire told me, “but he’s not happy.”

“That doesn’t mean he’s mad though,” I muttered.

“Oh, no, he’s mad,” Pommy confirmed for me.

“Thanks, Pommy, that makes me feel so much better,” I muttered.

“Well, at least you can be guaranteed that he couldn’t get any weapons past customs,” Claire reminded.

“Still no better.”

It was like smoke filled the room or something when my father walked in. I hadn’t seen him for a while. He’d been gone so long, and when he came back he always looked different. He still looked strong and tall, but he had a bit of beard thing going on.

“Hi, Dad,” I whispered.

“Alex.” Well, at least he acknowledged my existence.

In the corner of my eye I saw Claire tug Pommy’s hand slightly and they walked out of the room. Tara and Blake didn't leave though. They sat on a chair together but my father stayed looking at me.

“Claire told me what you got up too,” he informed me.

“Of course she did,” I muttered.

“No, I’m glad she did, Alexandra,” he said harshly… oh, crap; he’s using my full name. “I thought this situation was resolved… I thought you said that drinking would stop.”

“I did,” I muttered.

“But I’m told you come home drunk,” he said.

“Dad-,” I tried to argue.

“No,” he interrupted me. “I am done listening to your excuses. You are a minor; it’s against the law. For now, you’re grounded.”

“Dad!” I yelled, almost jumping off my chair.

“For a whole month,” he added.

“That is so unfair!” I said, standing up.

“It is absolutely fair. You will not leave this house expect for school. You’ll leave on time, come home on time… no detours. Claire will drop you and Tom will pick you up from school. When you get home your phone will also be taken from you,” he added.

“You can’t do this to me,” I argued.

“I can do whatever I want, I am you’re father,” he told me.

“Well, I find that hard to believe,” I said harshly. “You are never here anymore… you could’ve stopped me before it happened, but you were in New York or wherever the hell you were. You have no right to punish me when you haven’t even been here.”

“You have no right to talk to me like that,” he said, standing up.

“Say that to me again when you actually start acting like my father,” I told him, as I started to walk out of the room.

“Alexandra!” he yelled at me.

I ignored him, just like I had ignored everyone else. He couldn’t tell me what to do, he hadn’t been around, it wasn’t fair, even if he was my father. Grounding me wouldn’t stop me from being who I was… nothing could.