Letters to Leah

2: Unbearable News

Chapter 2: Unbearable News

            Why? Why do I even try anymore? Getting my hopes up always ends like this, and I'm tired of it. If he's not going to put forth the effort, then I'm not either.

            These are my thoughts as I clutch my phone in my hands. Three calls, three messages, and no answer. I thought fathers were supposed to be reliable. It just doesn't make sense to me, how someone can say they love you and then blatantly ignore you.

            "Noella! It's time for dinner," my mom shouts from the kitchen. I don't particularly feel like eating, but the smells of bacon and eggs are convincing me otherwise. Since breakfast food is my favorite meal, I hurry down the stairs to the kitchen where my mom is.

            "Have you heard from your dad?" Mom asks.

            "Nope." I say dryly. "Not like I was expecting to anyways."

            Mom shakes her head, "It's a shame. I guess you can spend the night with your friend then."

            I eat my dinner and finish my chores before packing my clothes for the weekend. I text Leah to tell her I'm leaving, kiss my mom on the cheek, and head down the road. It's peaceful driving alone. I like to daydream and sing to the radio; it lets me calm from my stresses.

            Soon, I'm pulling into Leah's home, which, compared to mine, looks like a mansion. The tall entryway is decorated with Christmas decorations, and it feels welcoming. Leah's parents yell hello to me from the living room, and I make my way up to her room.

            "What's up?" I ask Leah; she's putting on make-up.

            "There's a party tonight, you're coming."

            I gape at her in disbelief. She expects me to sneak out with her? And party? She knows I'm no social butterfly.

            "Don't give me that look, it will be fun." She turns back to the mirror and continues with her eyeliner. "Sam will be there."

            Sam. The guy the whole school has a crush on. He's beautiful. He'd never even notice me. "Oh, really? Still doesn't mean I want to go."

            "Oh come on, you know you like him."

            "I still don't feel right going."

            "Fine, stay here with Liza. I'm going with or without you," she rolls her eyes at me.

            I walk down the hall to find Liza sprawled out on her bed playing Call of Duty. She's one of the best players I know, better than most guys. I grab the second controller and sit on her floor. We easily pass two levels together without saying a word.

            "More drama with your dad?" She finally speaks.

            "Yeah. I'm done trying now. When he wants to act like he cares, that's when I will too. It's better for me that way, no heartbreaks."

            We fall back into the trance of playing the game when Leah walks in asking which of two outfits. "I'm leaving in five minutes."

            Soon I hear her car pulling out of the driveway, and my stomach twists because something doesn't feel right.

            I woke to the sound of Leah tapping on her bedroom window. I crossed over to it, and slid it open. Glancing at the clock before getting back to bed, it reads 2:17 A.M.