Rules of Attraction

Chapter Three

I apologize for this upload being so short, I had a hard time writing it and I needed to just clean off my workspace, so I think that uploading this will just help me move along in the story.

Please read the authors note at the bottom.

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Chapter Three-

“Mallory, dear, can I talk to you?” Mallory looks up at her father standing in the doorway of her bedroom.  She leans up on her elbows and closes her biology textbook.

“Um, dad I’m kind of studying for my bio final.”

“it’ll only take a few minutes,” he steps in and closes her bedroom door.

“fine.”

“I just wanted to make sure you were okay,” Mallory raises an eyebrow at her father.  “and I wanted to clarify that your mother and I haven’t been getting along to great lately.”

“I noticed,” a tap comes from her window but she ignores it.

“and I just thought I’d let you know before anyone else that your mother and I are looking into getting a divorce.” Mallory stares at her father in awe.

“can’t you go to a marriage counselor or something? Do you have to give up already?”

“Mallory, your mother can’t stand to be in the same room as me, I don’t think we’d do well in counseling.  But, we were talking it over and you would stay here with your mother.”

“dad-“

“I’ve been looking at apartments in the city, you’d only come visit me if you really wanted to but-“

“Do you have to get divorced…?”

“Mallory… your mother and I just don’t get along any more…”

Mallory gets up from her bed and begins to walk to her bathroom, “I have to pee, and I’ll talk to you later.”

“That’s the thing Hon, I’m leaving tonight, my friend has a house about half an hour away, I’m going to be living there for a while.”

“Whatever,” Mallory mumbles, closing the bathroom door.  She turns on the sink and peers at her emotionless face in the mirror.  she counts to fourty five before walking to the toilet and flushing it.  Then she runs a hand through her hair and turns off the sink.  She opens the door and heads back into her bedroom to find Ross sitting on her bed, his head on her pillow with his eyes closed.

“Hey Mally.”

“Hi Ross.”

“it’s your turn tonight; my mom doesn’t want you coming over.” He frowns and looks up in Mallory’s eyes.  “I’m sorry.”

“it’s fine,” she crawls on the bed next to Ross and lies her head on his chest.

“what’s wrong Mally?”

Sighing, Mallory closes her eyes and pulls her knees to her chest.  “My dad just told me he’s moving out.”

“So they’re doing it?” Ross takes Mallory’s hand in his, without talking, Mallory shakes her head yes.  “Well it has to get worse before it gets better, Mal.”

“I don’t understand why they can’t just work it out…”

“Sometimes, if they just have space-“

“Dad didn’t even act like he cared; he just wanted to tell me he was leaving.”

“That’s it!” Ross launches himself from the bed and takes Mallory’s hand, “We’re gonna go get some ice cream.”

“I don’t want any,” Mallory turns and pulls her pillow over her head “I just want to drown in my sorrow!”

“Mally,” Ross lowers himself to her level, balancing on his knees, “pull yourself together.  You’re gonna come with me to get ice cream.”

Turning, Mallory snuggles into her pillows and blankets more, “Ross, please just leave me alone.”

“But Mally-“

“Just leave.”

Ross stares at his best friend in astonishment. “Well, um… I guess I’ll just head on home.  I’ll be just a knock away.”

Mallory attempts to mumble of a response.

Sighing, Ross covers Mallory with a blanket and climbs back through his window. 

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“Hey mom?”

“Yeah Ross?” his mother pops her head out from the fridge.  “what’s up?” she continues, closing the door.

“I’m gonna go for a walk.”

“Where’s Mallory?”

“She’s not in a good mood Ma, you’ll hear the news sooner or later… I’m just gonna go for a walk around the block.”

“Be back before dinner!” His mother calls, turning back to the kitchen, “your brother and I reserve the right to eat without you!”

“yeah, yeah, yeah…” Ross replies, launching the front door open.  He steps out into the cool air and turns left, taking step by step down the block, trying to figure things out.

He passes several houses before stopping and staring up at the sky.  If only he had had someone to talk to him when his parents got divorced, then he would have some guidance of what to expect.

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/Author’sNote\

I apologize for the length of this upload, and I also want to apologize for not uploading for a month.  I’ve been starting college searches and trying my best at school.  If anyone wants to tutor me in math let me know! Haha just kidding.

I’m going to work on another chapter but there’s no promise when it’ll be up.  So in the meantime, I’d like to wish you all a happy valentine’s day in advance. 

Also, I know where I’m going with this story, I just need to figure out how to get the words out onto the page.  :D

Thanks for reading!

Please vote, comment, and fan if you liked it! :D