Taking It

0.4

0.4

"Good morning sweetheart." My dad greeted early the next morning as he slipped passed me─swooping down to place a quick kiss on my head. He smelled strongly of Blair's champagne like perfume and there was no doubt in my mind that he had used those same lips to kiss her.

Looking up from my bowl, I do my best to give him a glare that could kill. There was nothing good about that morning. I had woken up with a horrible feeling in my stomach, one that all girls got, and my oatmeal was clumpy.

I turned back to my breakfast, slicing and swooshing the my spoon through the disgusting glop. Not only was the oatmeal not cinnamon apple it had the nerve to be double in fiber. My dad decided to join me once the plunk plunk plunk of the coffeepot turned in a constant trickle. With an empty mug grasped in his hands, he leaned against the island next to me just to nudge me with his shoulder. This action caused me to look up at him from the silver band wrapped around his finger nice and snug.

"How was your day yesterday?" His teeth grasped onto his lower lip as he searched for any indication that the day had went horrible.

"It was okay, didn't get to see much though." It was never my intentions to see everything at once. Then there would be nothing to look forward too, no reason to go out and explore. I would get tired of this town fairly quickly.

"Maybe today Cassidy can take you out, show you a few more places." At his suggestion I shook my head, shoveling more of the oatmeal into my mouth. This caused him to frown at me. "You said you'd try."

"I know, it's just.." I trailed off. I couldn't tell him that I already had plans then he would question with who. Let's just say my dad isn't raven hair's biggest fan. So instead I just shoved my mouth with more slop, nearly gagging at the bland taste.

"It's just what?" He tries to give me a stern look as he stared down at me, his eyebrows moving towards the center of his face.

"I like exploring on my own." I shrugged my shoulders and take my bowl to the sink. " I promise to be home before dinner." Rinsing out the bowl I shoot him a smile over my shoulder.

The sigh he gave off was slightly disheartening.

"I would feel better if Cassidy went with you." His statement angered me slightly. I was two years older than Cassidy, which meant I was capable of looking after myself. With my eighteenth birthday in the distant future there was no reason why he couldn't trust that I couldn't go out on my own.

"Dad, I don't need a babysister, let alone my fifteen year old sister." I placed the bowl into the sink and turned to face him after shutting off the tap.

"She's not baby sitting you Charlotte. She's just there to make sure you don't get lost."

"I don't need her holding my hand either. I found my way home yesterday just fine." My words came out sharp and I instantly regretted them the moment his face fell. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to─"

"No," He cut in, holding up his hand to stop me. "I get it, your birthday is in a few months and things back home were different. You just want your freedom."

"No dad, it's not that." In actuality it was. He was treating me as if I was some fragile figurine, teetering on the edge of the shelf.

"It's okay Charlie, we'll just have to establish some rules when you return." He placed a gentle kiss on my forehead, leaving me alone in the kitchen.

I managed to catch Cassidy before she left to hang out with some of her soccer friends, letting her know that tomorrow I was all hers─for a few hours.