My First Year In

Chapter 1

8 Yrs Later

Hey, I'm Riena, Riena Stefens actually. Most people knows me as the quit girl. That is why no one knows me. Anyways, I don't talk to anyone, literally I don't. Never had a boyfriend because that stuff is just overrated and annoying.

I basically just have my dad and my grades to worry about. Well yea, my grandparents...haven't seen them since my mom's death but my dad doesn't bother to go around them. I don't have my driver liscense so I can't go my on self but when I get the chance I will. I talk them every week though.

Heard grandad is in a nursing home while grandma manages our old house.We moved to Athens, Georgia from Brooklyn New York six years ago. After my mother's death, no one could have found any reason of why she drugged herself to death.

For some reason I feel that it was my fault. Since I was the only one there and it was on my birthday. I mean it just hurts to have that thought. Was I really that hard to handle? But dad lasted all these years, I mean, I just don't understand.

I am 18 now...starting college though. Just tomorrow I will be in college. I have been taking care of my dad since I was 14. So basically half of the time I have been living in this small two bedroom apartment, it's like me taking care of him. He gets the thought that drinking will take the pain away.

Once he had came home late at night, puked on the chair, all over the bathroom floor, and in my bed thinking it was his. I know disgusting. I don't like calling my dad a drunk, but that is what he is. He would probably get drunk twice a week. If I'm lucky then just once. Other than that he is a cool dad that spends time with his no mothered daughter. It's hard to tell he is a drunk but that is what he is.

Okay, so I'm back. That was my life for the past eight years. Yup...that was my boring story. So let me show you how to survive present day, my life.

"Morning kiddo!" My dad yells at me as I come out of the hall way and into the kitchen. "Hey dad, um...are my things still? Orrrr"

"Don't worry Riena...all your stuff is ready for tomorrow." He tells me drinking his coffee.

"Dad I'm still not sure. I mean, how do I know that when I'm at work and at school that you won't go out to any liquor stores near by? I mean dad I'm just worried-"

"Child! It is going to be fine I promise. Your starting college tomorrow and I will not let my issues get in the way. Trust me on this one. Now go, go and do what you teens these days do while i clean up this apartment." He tells me practically pushing me out the door.

"Dad I am not even dres-" I try to tell him I only have on some shorts in which I used to play soccer in and just an old shirt I had from years ago. I am now standing on the outside of the apartment and my dad throws my shoes at me and a comb. With that he waves a bye and shuts the door in my face. I slump down against the door putting on my shoes and combing my hair back.

Gosh he is SO glad he is blood.

***
I get off of the bus back at the apartment with groceries. He told me to go do something...that's what I did.

Walking in the building getting on the elavator pushing the fourth floor. Waiting calmly in the elavator I look around wonderingly.

I here that 'Ding!' on the elavator and I look up seeing the number four. Waiting for the door to open I walk out and walk down to door 123. Putting in the cold to our apartment which is 7734 or was it 4437...one or the other. putting in both codes...neither work. I pull out my phone texting my dad to ask for the code.

Riena* The code?...again?

Dad*3374.

Danget! How in the two loving worlds do I keep forgetting that? Oh well. Putting in the cold I walk in the building.
Just stepping in to see my dad and...a cat?

"Um dad? What the heck is a cat doing in here?" I ask him slowly walking up taking the cat out of his hands after dropping the bags on him.

"Oh, the little thing was just outside by the garbage cans...I was taking the trash out while you left. Yea...little thing looked so hungry, and I know how your mom used to love cats but were always alergic..sooooo, I figured, you want it." He says taking the bags to the kitchen.

I put on the biggest smile ever holding the dirty white cat and rushing it to the bathroom.

"Thankyou! Thankyou! Thanks so much dad!" I yelp in joy. I know mom loved cats, I'm not only happy because this makes me feel close to mom, but because I always wanteed a cat...just never asked because I was too scared of my dad's expression. Well I guess I doubted him and my self. I love this cat already. Well, actuallyyyyyyy, I love this kitten already.

Giving her a quick wash in the sink...more like two hours of trying to sit it down wash, I make some tuna that me and my father never eat to not stave the poor thing. I finally look at it's little spot to find the gender. Omg! It's a he. I got me a little he.

"So how do you like it?"
My father ask me and I smile at him watching the cat continueto eat. "He, dad. It's a he, and I love him."

He nods telling me that I can keep him and to take him to the vet for some shots. I nod my head taking him to my room. I will get everything needed later on today. Right now, I just have to nap.

Putting the cat on one of my pillows I watch it as he falls into sleep. Along with me.