Problems

4. Boyfriends and Revision and Essays and Homework and Write - Ups and Reading

Eldon's POV
I let loose of my dance bag, letting the strap drag and jolt down my arm, an audible slump ringing as it hits the radiator. I sigh as I realise I've just slumped it on top of my brother's soccer boots, wet mud laced with grass leaking put if the mouths of them. Though I may be paranoid, I love the sight of a perfect bold blue bag. Cringing from the last time James hysterically criticised me about my cleanliness preferences, I drop my shoulder down to pick up my bag from this handles this time, lifting it up to observe the sticky, brown mark on the bottom. I move my gaze to my brother's boots; a more intense brown stain dimming the neon yellow on them. I open my mouth to tell my mom that I'm home, but it is forced shut when I hear a two laughs from the kitchen. Two separate voices. One of them I have recognised since I was a baby, but the other is not so familiar. It's a man's voice I don't recognise. Its Dad... I think for a moment. Then I realise the deepness coming from the throat of the laugh's owner; something my dad didn't have. That, and I don't think he come back running after he left with some Hollister model nearly 15 years younger than him  a few years ago. Curious, I sling my bag over the end of the stair railing and take several, slow and easy steps down the hallway and towards the kitchen. I peer my head round the door frame first before the rest of my body moves to stand in it. I see my mom, firstly with her honey - blonde hair tied up which NEVER happens. Then I see the man that she has a dreamy gaze and a loving smile at. His figure is athletic to say to the least. His close - shaved black hair is the same colour as his long, kind of bushy eyebrows and his nose could be described as knobbly; the bones looking like they want to poke out of it. He seems pretty chill, his left arm supporting him on the kitchen counter whilst Mom leans against the wall. His dark chocolate brown eyes look at me with the same wide smile I assume he had when he was laughing just now.
"So who's this then?" He says in a curious, outgoing manner. Who the heck is this guy? There's a moment when all that can be heard is my brothers playing video games in the room opposite.
"Oh this is Eldon," Mom says. This guy take a step forward, hand outreached. I force an awkward smile, letting my hand be shaken by his.
"I've heard a lot about you. Absolute Dance Internationals team champion, eh?"
I nod. How much has Mom told him? How much has she not told me?
Another awkward pause. I need to now who this dude is.
"Um, sorry but who actually is this?" I say to Mom.
"Oh, yeah. Sorry swee..."
"Don't call me sweetie," I interrupt. Mr CloseShave sniggers.
"Well, I known I haven't told you, I didn't want to disappoint. But this is my boyfriend, Ronnie!"
Wait...WHAT?!?
"Oh! Great to meet you Ronnie," I say, trying to hide my shock. Since when did Mom decide she was going to start dating again?! Last time I checked she was done with men. Did something happen overnight?! Where did they meet? When did they meet? Do my brothers know about this?!
Calm.
...
"DANNY?!??" A yell echos from the playroom. Mom huffs.
"OK, I'm just going to sort them out. You two should get to know each other!" Mom says leaving the room with some enthusiasm. I watch her leave from over my shoulder then at Ronnie's now...severe expression. I shiver rattles my spine. I don't want to move.
"So...how did you and Mom meet?" I say with an effortless smile, trying to lighten the mood a bit. Oh, but Ronnie has none of it.
"Now I let your brothers know this too. I just want to make sure we're OK with me being in charge when I'm here. When I'm not and it's your mom looking after you, then you're free. But when you're around me, I am your father, and you will do what I say. Is that clear?" He says quietly and sternly. Damn.
"Yeah. Sure," I reply just as quietly. I feel sweat collect in my palms.
"Ugh, kids can be so silly these days. Ronnie do you want a drink?" Mom reappears, a deflated smile on her face.
"Yeah that would be great," he responds, that smile returning.
This has been an eventful evening...

Giselle's POV
6:01pm. Exam revision, History essay, Chemistry practical write up, English reading and math questions. Let alone food. I slump into my desk chair in my room. And empty out the boldly coloured folders onto my once spotless desk, which is now stained with pencil streaks, sharpie spots and ink smudges. I zip open my pencil case and get a pen out.
I thought I would enjoy going to St Paula's, but the homework has just been too much lately. Get up. School. Dance. Homework. Bed. Every. Single. Day. No time to just chill, go on my phone, read, nothing.
7:13pm. Write up done.
7:34pm. Dinner done.
8:35pm. Revision notes done.
10:15pm. Essay done.
11pm. Maths questions done.
11:45pm. Reading done.
I can feel the bags under my eyes. I'm exhausted. After an eight hour day at school, all I want to do is sleep. No time to leisurely read, watch some Rachel Levin or watch Netflix.
Its the stress. It's a knot in my stomach which I can't untie. I've considered transferring but I bet that Mom and Steve would just say no. I get changed into my soft, calming onesie and. Flop onto my bed, burying my head into the pillow. When I wake up:
Get ready. School. Dance. Homework. Sleep.

Well that was the most relatable thing I've ever written.

Please let me know what you think of this book in the comments:))

And please let me know which of my books you would like me to update next!!!

Love y'all

Koalacheesexxxx

PS. OMG IT'S NOVEMBER IT'S BASICALLY CHIRSTMASSSSSSSS