"Patricia. Arthur. What are you doing here?" Says my Dad getting tense. Why is he tensing? My grandparents can't be that bad.
"Luke! You know that isn't the way to say 'hello' to your parent-in-laws." Says my Gran. Gran and Gramps walk down the patio steps and walk towards our table.
"Well, I would, but I didn't know that you were coming. Let alone invited." Dad says looking down at me.
"I didn't invite them." I say.
"No. She didn't. But all will be explained. After the party. Now, proceed with your party." Says Gran.
"Fine. Now, as some of you all know, my daughter Hadley, can sing. Just like her mother. And she has agreed to sing for you all. So, without further a-do, please give a warm applause to my beautiful and talented daughter, Hadley." My dad says and the guests clap for me. I stand over to the microphone, plug my phone into the aux lead, and press play on 'Faded' by Alan Walker.
"You were the shadow to my light
Did you feel us?
Another star
You fade away
Afraid our aim is out of sight
Wanna see us
Alight
Where are you now?
Where are you now?
Where are you now?
Was it all in my fantasy?
Where are you now?
Were you only imaginary?
Where are you now?
Atlantis
Under the sea
Under the sea
Where are you now?
The monster's running wild inside of me
I'm faded
I'm faded
So lost, I'm faded
I'm faded
These shallow waters never met what I needed
I'm letting go a deeper dive
Eternal silence of the sea. I'm breathing alive
Where are you now?
Where are you now?
Under the bright but faded lights
You've set my heart on fire
Where are you now?
Where are you now?
Where are you now?
Atlantis
Under the sea
Under the sea
Where are you now?
Another dream
The monster's running wild inside of me
I'm faded
I'm faded
So lost, I'm faded
I'm faded
So lost, I'm faded
Everyone applauds when I finish and the look that my grandparents give me, I don't like it. I walk back to my table and Katie and the other maids bring out the entrée.
"I am so glad your parents got back together." I say to Lilly.
"Yeah. I can't believe my mom didn't die. The police said that she was murdered when I was 8, but 2 months ago, she came back. Right on our doorstep. The real story is, someone gave my mom a call the week before she disappeared, and they said that she was the only person who could help them. And if she didn't help them, they'd kill me and my dad. So, she went."
"Ok. ok. ok. Take one step back. Who's 'them'?" Asks Alec.
"I don't know." Lilly says. Lilly's parents turn to Lilly and talk to her quietly. Alec turns to Hadley.
"You sounded amazing. And you look beautiful too."
"Thanks. But I don't know how my grandparents got here. They wouldn't have known about this." I say.
"Maybe someone could've spread it around. News does get around everywhere quickly." He says.
"I guess. When my dad does his boring stories about the old days, we agreed that I take you, Lilly and Mikayla to show you around the house. I know Mikayla has, but I don't think she wants to hear Dad's stories." I say.
"That's sounds cool. I am dying to see your room anyway. I'll go tell Mikayla." Alec says, kisses my cheek and runs over to Mikayla. I see him talk to her and she nods.
"You guys can go now. I'll send Katie to tell you to come back for the Main Meal." Whispers my Dad.
"Ok." I kiss his cheek and grab Alec, Lilly and Mikayla. We walk off and walk around the house. Showing my friends the living room, kitchen, and my room. And Alec's and Lilly's faces are priceless. They're absolutely shocked.
"Whoa. This is. Whoa" says Alec.
"Thanks." I say and jump onto my bed.
"It took me 3 weeks to decorate. Get all the photos I needed, the curtains." I say.
"Oh. No wonder why we had a full day of selfies. Why didn't you tell us??!!" Says Lilly.
"I wanted it to be a secret before you came." I reply, laughing.
"Right. Mikayla? Are you ok?" I ask.
"Yeah. Its just.. I know who brought your grandparents." She confesses.
"What? Who?" Lilly asks.
"My mom. The day I first came to your place, my mom asked me where you lived now. I asked her why she needed to know, and she said that I wouldn't understand, so she made a few calls. I didn't realize who she called until your grandparents arrived." She explains.
"Why didn't you tell me before?" I ask.
"I tried, but I didn't know how. I'm so sorry, Hadley." Mikayla says.
"I can't believe you didn't tell me. Is there anything else you know that I need to hear?"
"Yes. The divorce papers."
"What about them?"
"Your dad said that they be in the mail a few days after you moved out. Well, they came, but my mom ripped them and chucked them out."
"WHAT?!?!"
"She said she doesn't want to become bankrupt anymore."
"Does she know that the she has a court hearing tomorrow?!?!"
"Yes. She's going though. Look, Hadley, you need to tell your dad. If he doesn't know now, mom and Luke won't be divorced. The court won't go on with the divorce." She says. Just then, Katie comes in.
"Mains out. Are your kids ok?"
"Yeah. We're fine. Let's go, guys" I say and we walk downstairs and out to the backyard.
YOU ARE READING
My Life, My Problem
Teen FictionA girl, called Hadley, who lives with her father alone with her mother passed away when she was 5 years old, and doesn't remember much of her. When she is now 16, things go from bad to worse. With a new mum, siblings and overprotected grandparents...
