X-Kid

Mona Lisa (When The World Comes Down)

The next morning, I woke up to hear yelling coming from down the hallway. I could make out my mother’s shrill voice, but the other was deeper and I couldn’t hear it as well. Hopping out of bed, I made my way to my door and opened it a crack, trying to peer out and get a chance to listen better.

“I don’t want you seeing her, Craig. I told her once she was 18, she could contact you, but that’s over 2 years away. Now is not the time,” my mother said. My blood ran cold. My dad was here? How did he find where I lived? I thought he wanted nothing to do with me.

“I just found out I had a daughter I didn’t know existed for 15 years, and you want me to pretend it never happened until she shows up on my doorstep in 2 and 1/2 years? Laurie, that’s so unreasonable,” he commented. Did that mean he wanted to see me?

“She my daughter, and I know what’s best for her,” Mom retorted. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at her comment.

“Well, it takes two damn people to make a kid, so she’s mine too. Hell, can we at least just get a paternity test?” he questioned.

“What, are saying that I’m lying to you now?” my mother demanded.

I didn’t want to hear anymore, so I shut my door, trying to figure out what to do. I couldn’t just hide out in my room the whole day after all. I considered sneaking out my window, but soon realized that I would have to scale the fence in our backyard, which was more trouble than it was worth. I was going to have to try sneak past the fight and out the front door.

I quickly pulled on a pair of sweats and a light jacket, grabbing my phone and trying to open my door quietly. It made a loud squeak as I began to shut it, and two pairs of eyes pinned to me immediately. I cursed under my breath, emerging from the hallway hesitantly. It was honestly kinda weird seeing both of my parents in the same room.

“Nora, go back to your room. We’ll have a talk later, okay?” My mom said in her typical condescending yet sweet sounding tone.

I looked at my dad, trying to find my own words. “How did you find me?”

He shrugged. “Just a little bribery towards your school secretary.”

“You told me yesterday I couldn’t possibly be your kid, so what changed your mind?” I wondered.

“I got curious. I want to know if you’re really my daughter,” he replied.

“That’s enough,” my mom snarled. “Nora, I can’t believe you went behind my back and found him.”

“It’s not like I tracked him down. He was there, at my school,” I retorted.

“You shouldn’t have talked to him. You promised me you wouldn’t talk to him until you were 18,” she yelled.

“Lay off of her, Laurie,” my father cut in. “Nora, would you be willing to take a paternity test and get this confirmed.”

“Yes,” I said without hesitation.

“Don’t you dare! I forbid it!” she said.

He simply ignored her. “I’ll go call and make us an appointment.”

He left the room, leaving me with my glaring mother. She set her jaw angrily, staring me down with cold eyes. Without warning, she began screaming at me, making sure I knew how much of a mistake I had made. Unfortunately for her, I wasn’t in the mood to listen to her, so I walked out the front door as she continued to shout at me.

I didn’t exactly know where I was going, but I began walking in the direction of the park Jack and I always went, taking out my cell phone and dialing Luna’s phone number. I wasn’t sure if I was mad, or scared, or angry, but I knew I needed my best friend.

“Hey girly. I was just about to call and invite you to hang with me and the boys at my house,” she greeted. It was even better knowing that the guys would be there as well.

“I’m on my way over. It will take me awhile to get there since I’m walking though,” I mentioned.

“Walking? Jesus Christ, are you crazy woman?” she wondered.

“I’ll explain when I get there, okay?” I sighed. Reluctantly, she said her goodbyes, leaving me to my own thoughts. This would’ve been a better plan if Luna didn’t live almost 2 miles away from me, but I really had no choice at that point.

After an hour of walking, I finally turned onto Luna’s street, legs burning from all the walking. My friends were all standing outside, running up to me as soon as they saw me. “There you are! We were getting worried! What’s going on?” Jack questioned.

“Before I get into that, let me get inside. I need to sit down. My legs hurt so fucking bad,” I commented.

“Fear not, my lady! I shall save you!” he declared, picking me up bridal style and carrying me into Luna’s house, setting me down on the couch.

“That wasn’t necessary, but thank you,” I grinned, rewarding him with a kiss. Everyone sat on the floor in front of me like curious children as I began to explain what happened already that morning. They stared back at me, wide-eyed and surprised beyond measure.

“That’s really tough. I’m sorry you have to go through all that bullshit,” Zack cut in.

I shrugged. “At least I’ve got you guys to distract me. It would be so much harder if you weren’t here.”

“Hey, we’re happy to do it,” Rian grinned.

I actually felt pretty lucky. Not many people could say they had a loyal group of friends who would be with them through thick and thin, but I definitely could. Through the mess that was no doubt going to be coming my way, I was really glad I had them to count on. There was no way I could do it on my own.