Dork Diaries: Next Generation

Fine. We're Damaged.

Disclaimer: Brandy and Brandon say some intense stuff. You have been warned.

After leaving Rick in the restaurant I go home and ponder each word he said. Of course, I'll never admit that he affected me. Maybe he was right.

The next morning, I let Terra have the shower first as I wallow in bed. She's shocked to say the least, but she leaves as fast as possible like I'll change my mind.

I decide to not go to school at all. It's a little spoiled on my part, but my head and emotions can't take the stress of education as of today. All I can think of is my dad. He assaults my thoughts more and more as the hours pass by. I mean, what the hell? I have nothing much left to lose; I might as well get this over with so I can hurry up and be angry all over again.

I drive to the mansion around lunchtime. Bob answers the door. He nods his head towards my father's office, already knowing my objective. I nod at him in thanks.

I knock on the door before I enter. Not really sure why, but I guess it adds more drama to my prodical return. Mom is leaning in by my dad, studying something on his computer with him. Her head shoots towards the door and her arms are around me in a second. Dad, on the other hand, sits in his seat with a stoic look on his face.

Mom releases me, tears in her eyes and a smile on her face. She kissed me on the cheek and goes to stand by my father again. I sit in the chair in front of his desk. "Dad," I say tensely.

"Brandy."

Mom shared a worried glance between the two of us. "Be civil, you guys," she says.

"Look, Dad, whatever you have to say, I want to hear. I don't care if I don't like it. I just want to hear it and move on."

"That's the most mature thing I've heard you say since the party," he deadpans. My attitude drops, and my determination to fix things disappears.

"Brandon, please..." my mom pleads.

"No, Mom. It's fine." Whatever. I can swallow down my annoyance. He has a reason, I tell myself. Just listen. "Please do explain yourself."

"You know what, Brandy? I don't think I will. I love you with all my heart, but it's ridiculous for me, the adult, to have to explain myself to you. You're my kid."

I snap. He's kidding me, right?

"Are you aware that a family went bankrupt because of you? Honestly, Dad! I'm not the one who's ruined lives because I failed to expose valuable information. I'm not the one who ruined their child's reputation. I'm the angry one. I deserve to be angry."

"What happened to being mature?" he asks, his voice raising slightly.

"Mature? What the hell do you know about maturity? You aren't even mature enough to know you're a damn liar!"

"Brandy, I know you're mad, but that's en—"

I raise a finger to silence her. "Not now, Mom." Her eyes widen at the gesture, but she doesn't yell at me for the disrespect. I give my father a pissed, pointed look. "I don't know how you think you can call yourself a real father. You're insufferable." 

"Well, your mom is pregnant again, so I'm a real dad to someone whether you like it or not."

I'm silenced for a fraction of a moment. I stare at my mom. "P-pregnant?"

"Surprise?" she says unsurely. "I wanted to tell you at the party, but you know how well that went." I look at her stomach, and sure enough, there's a slight baby bump.