Practically Daddy [COMPLETE]

Chapter 37

I woke up suddenly. Six days until college. I decided to pack a little bit. I put my luggages in my closet. I heard Sal coming upstairs.

"Hey. How are you feeling?" he said.

I walked out of my room. All I could think about was how somebody could be so calm when the killed my family and was forced to take care of me. Soon, all these thoughts will be long gone. College will be relaxing and fun.

"Come back! I know you're trying to sabotage the guys and I by buying tickets to our shows so nobody would show up. Don't do that anymore. Please" he begged.

I ignored him and went to make myself some cereal.

"Well, I have to go to set. Are you coming?" he said.

I nodded and gave him a dirty look. I actually wanted to go to set because this might be one of the last times I go to set. In four years from now, IJ might not even exist.

I went upstairs and put on a black leather jacket over a white t-shirt. Then, I put on jeans that ended a little longer than the knee. I went outside into Sal's car.

"You look badass" he giggled.

I walked into the car and listened to some music. We arrived very shortly. It was a supermarket. They had to throw toilet paper rolls into peoples' carts. Filming ended at around 4 pm. I had to be honest, it was a lot of fun.

I cried myself to sleep. I missed my family so much. If Sal did one thing differently, my life would be normal right now. I'd be in high school instead of college. I'd be a normal teenage girl instead of being adopted. I just wish things turned out differently.

I woke up and immediately thought about college. I'm way too young to go. I do look a little bit older, but I won't get to have friends or boyfriends because of my young age. I wish I'd listened to Sal. I regret not going when I was really ready. I can't back out now. There's five days before I leave. I have to accept reality. I finished packing and went downstairs for breakfast. I stayed home when Sal went out to film. I finished up packing and held my ticket to California. This is going to be crazy.

Sal came home with pizza, which was good because I hadn't eaten anything all day.

The next day was nerve racking for me. Four more days. I stayed home again. I was shaking so much and I was so nervous that I forgot it was my birthday. Did Sal forget? That made me cry even more. He didn't give a shit about me.

"Hey, Jo. I'm home" he said.

I stayed in my room, staring at the ceiling. I didn't want to talk to him, so I decided to text him to tell him that it was my birthday.

Do you know what today is, asshole?

No...What is it?

I can't believe you forgot. You keep saying you love me, so why don't you show it? Today is my birthday.

Happy Birthday, Jo!

Fuck you.

I put down my phone. Now, I was much happier to leave Sal. All of a sudden, I heard the front door open. I heard those three voices: Q, Murr, and Joe.

"Happy Birthday!" Joe yelled.

"You're fifteen" Murr said.

I went downstairs and motioned them to leave.

"We are not leaving you on your birthday" Q said.

They were only here because Sal wanted to make up for forgetting my birthday.

"I brought cake" Murr said.

"Nice! Happy Birthday, cutie" Sal said.

"Jo, blow out the candles" Q said.

I blew them out, cut myself a piece of cake, and went back upstairs.

"Come back, Jo" Murr said.

"Just leave her alone. I feel bad that I forgot" Sal said.

"Nice job. You forgot your adopted daughter's birthday" Q said.

"I'm so stupid" Sal said, burying his face into his hands.

I ate the cake the guys bought me and went back downstairs to thank them. First, I went up to Q and hugged him.

"Love you" Q said.

Then, I went to Murr and hugged him.

"Love you, honey" Murr said, kissing my cheek.

Lastly, I went up to Joe and hugged him tight.

"You're the best, babe. Love you" Joe said.

I looked over at Sal, who had his arms wide open. I walked away from him, watching his smile fade and his arms close. I didn't feel bad at all.

The ending will be fine, I promise :)