She'll Never Be My Mom || (n.j.)

Chapter 17

When we got back to LA, it was back to Dad not being home at all. Olivia started to run in pageants again, so that meant I was home alone a lot. I told Dad that there wasn't too much need for Sam to watch me all the time, and he said he trusted me to be home alone.

"Liv and I are going out. We'll see you when we get back." Dad kissed my cheek, both of them looking casual. Dad was wearing a pair of dark jeans, a red button up shirt with a leather jacket  over it, and Olivia was wearing a simple, short black dress that the neck was cut pretty low on.

"I might be sleeping, but have fun." I was getting a little annoyed by them going out and leaving me home all the time, even when they didn't have work.

"Yup, love you sweetheart." My Dad pulled me in for a hug between both of them and my face was just about in his chest. The smell of his cologne and her perfume flooded my nose before I could even think. They were out the door and I was standing in the kitchen by myself. It was around 8:30, and I figured they'd be out for quite awhile. I yawned and stretched my back before walking into the living room and plopping myself on Dad's chair. I turned on the tv right away, all of a sudden, my phone started to ring. I looked at it, and Jackson was calling. It was about half a month into summer, and I hadn't heard from him at all until now. I put my brows together before answering it.

"Hello?" I asked in the phone. I heard a stuttering voice on the other end.

"Hey B." He said. I felt my cheeks get hot. It sounded like something was wrong. I nervously bit my lip.

"Hey, what's up?" I casually asked.

"So...I was wondering....do you maybe want to go on like...." He was stumbling over his words, and I thought it was cute. Him and I had been talking since the middle of our seventh grade year, and we became pretty good friends.

"A date?" I finished his question for him, hoping that's what he was going to say anyway.

"Uh, yeah..." He still stuttered a bit.

"What were you thinking?" I knew Dad wouldn't be cool with this, so I'd have to run if past Olivia. I was starting to warm up to the idea of calling her Mom, and I felt proud of that. Since they've been married now for almost a year.

"I don't know....a movie?"

"Sure! I'll have to run it past my step-mom, but I'm pretty sure it'll be good. As long as my Dad doesn't find out." I snickered into the phone, my heart starting to beat at a million miles an hour.

"Awesome. I'll talk to you later then?" Jackson said, sounding like he wasn't as nervous anymore.

"Yup. Bye."

"Bye." I hung up the phone with a big smile on my face.

~
"So, I came up with something." I had just got done talking to Olivia, and I was in Dad's room the next day after Jackson asked me out. She said she was onboard with it, and said she could take me to the movie, and just make up some excuse. I didn't feel right lying to my Dad, but I really wanted to go. I excitedly texted Jackson that I'd be going, and he was equally excited.

"What's that?" He looked up from his phone, shutting it off for once.

"I think I'm almost ready to call Olivia Mom." I put a smile on my face, hoping he'd be as proud as I was.

"That's great honey." He seemed happy, but his smile faltered as quick as it came. I was wondering about it for a second, but instantly pushed it aside.

"Yeah, but not quite yet." I went over and kissed his cheek before skipping out of his room. I was going to the movies with Jackson tomorrow at 1:30, and we were going to see Alice Through The Looking Glass. We were both big fans of Alice In Wonderland, so this was perfect.

In school, we'd always talk about the characters and how we felt about them. Sometimes we'd argue, other times we would completely agree with each other. I was so excited, but I also had this weird feeling in my stomach about it. I mean, this had never happened, and I had never lied to my Dad in my life. I suddenly felt sick to my stomach, and quickly sat on my bed to calm down.