Edge of the Sky

Chapter 5

Verklempt-(adj.) completely overcome with emotion

I was skipping with joy as I rushed to the school gates. What I hated most about today is that I had to stay at school longer than what was needed. Theatre club rehearsal was supposed to end at 3pm. Instead I ended up staying after practice to help with the stage set-up.

It was around 5 when I walked out of the hall. I was exhausted but luckily for me, God hath been gracious and no homework was bestowed upon my person on this day. Hallelujah!

My skipping grinded to a halt when I spotted Dad waiting for in at the parking lot, jamming to The Black Eyed Peas in his grey Audi A6. We hadn't said a word to each other since dinner last night and I really had no idea where we stood. He looked like he was in a good mood though.

"Get in loser we're going shopping!" he hollered over the stereo causing almost everyone to turn and look in my direction.

Letting him watch Mean Girls was one of the worst/best decisions I've ever made.

I laughed off the embarrassment and slid into the front seat. My dad was practically dying of laughter in the front seat as he pulled out of the parking lot.

"Hey, dad. What brings you to this unholy place?" I asked him, sliding the seatbelt over my torso.

"Heh, should have seen your face," he laughed before turning down the radio, "I got this evening off and Ezra told me you were staying late so I decided why not? Also I don't want you walking alone in the dark or finding out you were actually hiding at some secret boyfriend's house."

I scrunched up my face and turned to face him.

"Secret boyfriend? Really?"

"Yes and me and Ezra will find him! We'll never stop looking!" he fist-bumped before noticing a cop car next to us and acting like nothing ever happened.

"Wow, I'll start looking with you," I laughed.

He shot me an angry look which I mirrored mockingly, effectively cracking him up.

It was silent in the car for a few moments save for the sounds of Boys II Men. I stared out of the window watching the scenery whiz by. If it I was sure my dad wouldn't yank me back into the car by my hair I would've stuck my head out the window. I could hear him tapping his fingers on the steering wheel at almost every stop light like he usually did.

Out of nowhere he started singing to the music. Off key. Off lyric. Just off.

I turned to him, my face contorted in distaste. He laughed at me and stopped singing.

"So, Zahra, let's chat! You can tell me about anything and everything!" he said enthusiastically, flipping his non-existent hair like a girl.

"You and I both know that isn't true," I pointed out.

He scoffed like he was offended. I giggled.

"Fine!" he said, "Wanna talk about boys? Let's talk about boys! Wanna talk about how you never find foundation in the right colour? Or the fact that you don't wear foundation at all now that I think about it...Or periods!"

"Dad!" I cried, stuck between laughing and being mortified.

"Fine, fine I'll stop," he chuckled, taking a turn down our street.

"It's not like you wanted to talk about any of that anyway, did you?"

"No, I guess not," he sighed.

He opened the gate to the complex and drove in. I waved to the guard who was in his usual spot. I liked that guard. He was nice.

Dad slid into our parking lot with ease, the tip of the car just brushing against a ceramic flower pot. When I reached for the door I was surprised to find it locked. I turned to my dad who had is hand on the door side.

"Am I going to get out or?" I questioned, watching him carefully.

He looked up at me seriously.

"Last night, you asked about Enigma. Where did you hear about that?"

"Probably just heard it floating around somewhere," I responded quickly. Too quickly.

Dad squinted his eyes at me, "Zahra, I'm being serious. Where did you hear about Enigma?"

"Somebody mentioned it, said it was bad news. I've never heard about it before I swear," I bit my lip and turned away nervously.

He sighed and unlocked the door.

"Okay. I believe you," he said looking straight ahead. He turned to me, "Just know, whoever this somebody is, I'm not too keen on you hanging around them."

"I hear you," I replied as I climbed out of the car.

"Now go empty the trash and get ready for a movie night!" he called after me just as I closed the door.

I raised my arm to show a thumbs up without turning back. When I got into the house Ezra was on the sofa, headphones on and feet up on the armrest. He looked up and sent an 'L' my way. I reciprocated with a rock sign and walked to the kitchen.

I slung my bag onto the black marble counter and stalked to the scullery. The sink rack was full of dishes that nobody wanted to pack away and the laundry machine was humming softly from its corner. I grabbed the bin liner from the trash can and went to throw it in the larger bin outside.

As I shut the bin lid, I heard some faint yelling. I stopped moving and strained my ears to listen in. I heard a door slam open and suddenly the yelling grew louder.

One voice stood out in particular. I could hear the voice getting louder and louder as he moved closer.

"I honestly can't with you people!" he yelled.

"Dean! Just come back!" yelled an exasperated female voice. His mother? "He apologized! It's okay now!"

He said nothing and stomped on. I could see him wiping at his eyes furiously. He stood in the middle of the road, running a hand through his hair. He screamed a loud 'fuck' and I swear I could hear the anger and agony of a thousand man. If this didn't get a noise complaint I don't know what would.

He sighed and flopped down onto the curb. He was right across from me. If he raised his head he would surely see me. A part of me wanted to unlock the gate and run to him. The rest of me stood there frozen, not knowing what to do.

He did end up looking right at me, and only then did I realize how hard I was breathing. He just shook his head solemnly and buried his head in his knees.

I wanted to say something. The only thing holding me back was the fact that I had no idea what to say.

I jumped slightly when I heard my dad calling me from inside. I look into the house and see him entering the kitchen. I turn back to Dean who hasn't moved an inch. My father called me again, this time walking into the scullery. I sighed and hesitantly walked into the house. I stopped at the doorframe, my feet refusing to take the final step in.

I had no choice but to force myself in. I couldn't let my father catch me staring at him. If he asked who he was I wouldn't be able to lie again. My only option was to text him to see if he was okay.

That night as I lay awake in bed unable to fall asleep my phone buzzed. The brightness blinded my eyes even though it was at 0. I squinted to read the message.

Me at 7:40: Hey. How are you?

Dean at 11:37: You and me. We're infiltrating Enigma

What? Which question he answering now?

I scrunch up my face at the screen before flinging my phone to the other side of the bed.

Is this guy mad or what?

Whatever it was, I didn't have time for it.

A/N: So that was this chapter. Do like, comment, and follow if you liked it. With this school thing going on i doubt i'll be able to update as regularly as i should but i'll try.