Something Told Me To Stay (M.Shadows)

Chapter 5

Juliette's POV

The next morning, I woke up in an amazing mood.

After talking to dad last night, I have to admit, I did feel better. Something told me that he really had changed. I quickly took a shower and got dressed.

I had a bowl of cereal as breakfast and waited for my dad to get here.

After about 30 minutes of waiting, I heard a knock at the front door

"I got it," uncle jimmy said.

I heard him and dad greet each other and then they both made their way to the living room where I was.

"Hey Juliette," dad smiled warmly and opened his arms for a hug.

I got off the couch and ran towards him.

"You look tired Dad."

"Yeah, well, I'm not exactly a 'morning person'," he yawned, "but I'm doing this for you."

I looked at him and smiled.

So far, I really like my dad. But then again, I'm trying to keep my expectations as low as possible. Because I don't wanna anything to lead to disappointment.

"So you ready to go ?" he asked. I nodded. We said our goodbyes to Uncle Jimmy and left.

The ride was a lot of fun. We had the same music taste so singing along to the songs he played was a lot of fun.

"Where are we even going, Dad?"

"The place where all the 'teens hang out'." he said.

After looking at my clueless expression, he chuckled and said "The Mall."

"Oohhh.."

"I'm surprised you didn't know that one. Don't you hang out at the mall a lot ?" he asked.

"No. Usually, my friends and I just go to the skate park or hang at each other's places."

"Oh you skate ?"

"Yeah."

"Thats cool."

--------

Our time at the mall was really fun and tiring.

We went to all different kinds of stores: the clothing store, the music store. I have to admit, shopping with my dad is a lot more fun than shopping with my mom. Surprisingly. He actually showed that he cared. Mom would just be checking her emails most of the time. Although, I felt like something was bothering him.

"Dad ?"

No response.

"Dad ? Hello ?"

He shook the thoughts out of his head and asked "I'm sorry, we're you saying something ?"

"Are you okay ? You seem kind of disturbed." I worried.

"Yeah, it's just that- never mind. Forget it."

"C'mon dad, tell me. Please ?" I pouted.

"Just thinking about what your mother said the other night."

"Oh," I looked down, feeling a little embarrassed.

"But just forget it. Want something from Starbucks ?"

I nodded in response.

When we walked into Starbucks, my heart stopped and I gasped.

'Oh my gosh, it's Arin' I whispered to myself.

Arin's been a really good friend of mine for as long as I can remember, like third grade.

He's the hottest thing ever.

He was one of those kids that were really fucked up as a child, but turned out to be really hot.

In other words, some people hit puberty. Arin beat the shit out of it.

"Alright, I'm gonna go do my 'business'," dad laughed. "Here's 20 bucks. Go buy yourself a latte or something."

He handed me the money and walked away.

Arin turned around and his face lit up when he saw me.

"Juliette!" he exclaimed.

"H-hi-Hey," I stuttered.

He pulled me into a hug and laughed.

"Uh...yo-you smell nice," I blurted out.

'What the fuck'

"Uhh..thanks. I bought a new cologne," he laughed. "Anyways, what're you doing here ?"

"Just hanging out with my dad," I said. "I don't see you around school anymore."

He gave me a puzzled look and said, "It's summer."

"Uhhh..yeah..hahaha! Gotcha!"

'Get yourself together.'

"Anyways, I gotta go now. Nice talking to y-"

"Okay," dad appeared out of nowhere,"after taking a piss, I feel much more reliev-- Hello."

"Hi, sir. You must be Juliette's dad." Arin said as he stretched his arm out.

Dad shook his hand and smiled.

"Do you know Juliette?" he asked.

"Yeah, we're friends." Arin replied.

"Just friends, right ?" he raised his eyebrows.

"Dad!" I whisper-yelled.

Arin laughed and said "Yes sir. I better get going now. It was nice meeting you, sir. See you later, Juliette." he said and hugged me.

Neither one of us wanted to let go.

"Uhh..Arin, you can let go of my daughter now."

"Oh yeah," he laughed. "Sorry. Anyways, see you around." he smiled.

"What was that?"

"A hug ?"

"That was kinda more than just a hug."

"It wasn't, Dad."

"Whatever." he yawned.

"Tired, are we ?" I laughed.

He nodded.

"Ya know you didn't have to take me to the mall and stuff. We could've just hung out at home and watched a movie." I said as we began walking.

"No way. I wanted to show you that I really wanna start being apart of my daughter's life again."

What he said made me smile. I looked down at my shoes and said "Thanks dad. I'm really glad I gave you a chance. " He put his arm around me and chuckled.

"Just wish your mom could say that."

(AN: comment, vote & shareee xo)