Not So Perfect

Home

Angela closes the door behind her. She makes it quickly to her room. Dropping her bags onto her desk. She digs into her bag and takes out her phone. She removes the silence, plugging it to the charger she scrolls through her music. Finding a satisfying playlist she connects her portable speaker. It automatically booms bringing a smile onto her face.

Angela rummages through her bag once again. She takes out a bottle water and a aspril bottle. Swallowing a pill down, she returns the bottle back into her bag. She walks to her bed letting herself drop onto it. Laying on her back with her eyes close, she listens. Taking deep breathes she returns onto her feet after two songs. She exits the comfort of her room.

Angela cleans around the house there and there. With her mood getting lighter, she begins singing and dances as she picks up. Before she knows it she has stopped cleaning completely. She continues dancing with objects in hand and her uncontrollable laughter. A couple of more songs later and the cleaning is nowhere on her mind. She makes her way back to her room. She comes empty in finding something fun to do. She drops her body onto the bouncy mattress staring at her beige ceiling.

Angela lays in bed for who knows how long. Her mind drifting quickly from one thing to another. Before she knows it she drifts off into oblivion. When her eyes shoot open hours later, it's dark and silent all around her. She quickly checks her phone realizing her father was going to be home soon. Plugging in her ear phones smashing the loud music directly into her ears. She takes a seat on her desk. Concentrating on her homework and studies. Its harder than she expects as she can't seem to be able to focus.

After half an hour she gives it up completely. She would do another round after dinner. Removing the earphones from her ears. She hears things being moved in the kitchen. Leaving everything on her desk she slowly makes her way out. Being extra careful not to be heard she moves through the hallway. At the end she peeks carefully and her body completely relaxes.

"Welcome home dad."

"Brought chinese food." He says lifting the bag.

"Yum."

"How was school?" He asks taking the food out of the bags..

"Fine."

"You didn't go to the center today?" he asks.

"No," I say, "I'm got so much with the finals coming up. I'm trying to focus on that for now."

Her father hands her a plate and she takes a seat. Digging into the food quickly, she was starving.

"It's nice having you around more honey. Before I barely got to see you." He says taking a seat.

"I know. It's nice being home also."

A nauseous wave hits her making her rethink the food. She slows down and looks at her father's plate. His was half gone already. He probably skipped lunch once again. She forces a few more bites of food.

"Have any plans for winter break?" He asks looking at her.

"Going back to the center."

"What about your friends?" He asks.

"Family vacations."

Angela watches him stop eating for a second. Ponder something before looking at her once again.

"I got a bit saved if you'll like to go somewhere." He says.

"I don't need to go anywhere. I'm fine staying here."

"Are you sure honey?" He asks.

"I'm sure dad but thanks for the offer."

"If you change your mind just tell me. I'll request time off work." He says.

"Let's safe it for summer. You said you wanted to go to the beach."

Silence falls between them and her stomach can no longer deal more food.

"I got this huge project due Monday."

"For what class?" he asks.

"Economy," I answer.

"I can help you if you'll like," he offers.

"I was actually thinking if I could stay over at Maggie's on Friday to work together on it."

"That's fine honey," he says smiling.

"Thanks dad."

After more small talk, her father takes his leave to his room. She throws the leftover food into the fridge. She left most of her food, her stomach was in complete knots. She prepares a tuna salad and leaves it in the fridge. Finishes the dishes and leave her father a note. To make sure he takes the salad in the morning. This way he would not skip lunch again.

Angela retreat to her room where she studies for a bit more. Feeling herself getting worse as her headache comes back with a powerful comeback. She decides to go to bed instead. Luckily she finished Mr. Harris's assignment the others could wait till morning. She rummages through her bag taking out the phone. Finding a single message.

See you very soon baby doll.

Angela can feel her heart beat faster. She takes a deep breathe and types the only word she can come up with in the moment.

Soon baby.