It Started With A Cigarette|✓|

Chapter-13: ICE CREAM

"Th-Thanks", I muttered.

"You don't need to thank me.", Drew said. "Just take care. If you need anything more, call me.", he continued, fiddling with the hem of his shirt.

I smiled at him and nodded.

He smiled back at me as we continued walking towards my house.

As soon as my house came into view, the pain in my abdomen doubled.

Drew held my shoulders tightly to keep me from falling.

We walked to the porch of my house. Luckily, the lights weren't on, which either meant dad was not home or he had again forgotten to pay the bills. Again.
I chose the former.

I quickly unlocked the door. Before stepping inside, I turned around.

"What you did today was one of the kindest things anybody has ever done for me. I really appreciate it. I don't think any other guy would have done that for me. Not even a girl, I suppose."

After I had said that, I did something I did not expect myself to do.

I gave myself into his arms and wrapped my arms around his back, pulling him closer, inhaling his intoxicating cologne.

I hugged him tightly, giving him a silent message to reciprocate the hug.

At first, he was shocked.

A while later, his arms gently and carefully wrapped themselves around my back.

"Thank you.", I whispered into his ear.

I felt him smiling before we stood there for a good five minutes.

I reluctantly pulled back and gave him a small smile before running into my house and locking the door behind me.

I hugged him. I hugged Drew the idiot.

---×---

I went to my room and threw my bag on my bed.

I lay down on my bed. I winced from the pain in my abdomen.

Curse mother nature! Did it have to happen only to girls?

I sighed and continued sulking.

As soon as I was getting comfortable, the phone rang.

I groaned. I got up and made my way downstairs.

"Hello?", I said when I picked up the receiver.

"Hello? Is this Ms. Dina McCarthy?", I heard an unfamiliar voice from the other side of the phone.

I was a bit disappointed.

Why am I disappointed? I wasn't expecting it to be anybody. Or...was I? Ugh.

"Yes. What is this regarding?", I asked.
"I'm calling from the police station. Is Joseph McCarthy your father?", the cop asked.

"Umm, yes officer. Is there a problem?", I asked.

"Would you be able to come to the police station right now?", the cop asked.

I rolled my eyes.
"Sure", I muttered before I hung up.

I quickly freshened up in the bathroom.

I grabbed a coat from the stand.
I did not want to change my dress.
I put Drew's hoodie in my cupboard and put on the coat.

It covered up my whole body perfectly. I quickly locked the house and made my way to the police station.

---×---

"For how long is he going to be in there?", I asked, curiosity and excitement building up in the pit of my stomach.

"About four months.", the officer replied.

I tried very hard not to show any signs of happiness on my face. I kept a straight face but from inside, the celebrations had already started.

After the officer finished whatever he was saying, I pretended to act sad before leaving the police station.

As soon as I had some distance between myself and the police station, my mouth went wide with a huge grin.

My dad is in jail because of some trouble he got into while driving.
I don't have money to bail him out. He will be stuck in jail for four months. I'll have to stay alone at home for four months....

CAN THINGS BE ANY BETTER?!!

I happily walked home, humming a tune to myself after a long time.

This night called for a celebration.

I quickly walked home and dialled the number of the pizza place.

I ordered one pepperoni pizza and two cheese pizzas along with a bottle of coke.

After I had given my order, I went to my room, pondering over one thought.

Should I?

I finally gave in. I looked around my house for my phone.

Where the hell is it? I have to find it! How on earth will I eat three pizzas by myself? What was I thinking?

I quickly went to each and every room and finally realized that the phone was in my bag.

I took my phone out. Taking a deep breath, I pressed the button and put the phone to my ear.

---×---

Drew's P.O.V.

Did she really hug me? Or was it dreaming? Did DINA MCCARTHY really hug me?

I replayed the scene over and over again inside my head as I walked home.

I remembered her soft touch and her neediness. The poor girl needed love. And I was there for that very purpose.

I was and always will be.

As soon as I entered my room, my phone started ringing.

I raised an eyebrow when I saw the caller ID.

"Dina?", I said.

There was silence on the other end.

"Dina?", I called out again.
"Umm hey Drew...I was wondering if you could come over...", I heard her voice.

I stepped back.

WAIT WHAT?!, I screamed inside my head excitedly.

"Sure. Do you want me to pick up anything on the way? Ice cream? Chocolates?", I asked.

"YES! ICE CREAM! I mean- yes, ice cream.", she said.

I laughed.
"Be right there.", I said before I hung up.

Chocolate. Chocolate ice cream.

I grabbed my wallet and my PTSD pills incase I needed them.

I locked the door behind me and made my way to Dina's house, again, with a never-vanishing smile on my face.

---×---