1-800-OOPS

Nine: Calm Your Tits

I have to haul my ass all the way to hollywood which is 25 minutes away from my house just to jumpstart Chase's car. I've got to take an Uber there and the driver is probably going to blabber on and on about his life and I'll be in the back seat rolling my eyes and wishing to open the door and jump.

I'll probably have the same reaction when I see Everett.

Actually, no. I'm not even going to go into the arena. I'm simply going to jumpstart Chase's car and Uber back home so I can continue watching Clueless and stuffing my face in junk food.

As I slip into the Uber, there's a man who seems to be in his 40s. A bit younger than my father's age. He's got black hair that's dusted with gray strands, and light eyes.

"You going to that boy's concert? My daughter is obsessed with him." The man breaks the awkward silence, looking into the mirror of his car.

"No. Just helping out some friends with car trouble." I glance to my left and make sure that I did bring the jumpstart cables. It would suck to make the trip there and realize I forget a very vital item that is the reason for my entire trip here.

"You don't like his music?" The guy furrows his brows in confusion.

He probably assumes that every teenage girl is obsessed with him. "He's alright. It's more his personality." I mumble even though I know the Uber driver wouldn't understand Everett's personality.

"Mean boy? You girls have to stay away from boys who hurt your feelings. My daughter was crying for days because boy broke her heart. Well, I broke boys face. You Women have to realize that you are queens. My wife is a queen, my daughter is a queen. Do not let boy think they are worthy of you if they are mean."

The man finishes his rant and I just kind of sit there shocked, eyes wide. He glances back at me with a warm smile on his face. It's not like those creepy drivers you sometimes get. His facial expression is genuine and I find myself glancing out the right window, blinking away some tears.

Fatherly advice.

I don't like feeling weak but in moments like these, I feel like the universe has perfectly aligned these moments for me. If my real father will not give me words of advice like this, at least a nice stranger shared his kind thoughts with me.

"Thank you." I murmur, returning a soft smile.

"Alright young lady, we are here. Those are your friends?" I glance out and see Chase and Melanie sitting on the trunk of their car, waving at me.

"Yes. Thanks again!" I slip out of the car. I paid the guy through the Uber app so there is no actual cash exchange. I wave goodbye as he speeds off.

"I brought the cables." I lift up the bag, signalling to them. Chase nods and I toss the sleek black bag to him.

Chase places an arm on my shoulder, "Erm, Carter, seems like my car wasn't dead after all." He continues rubbing my shoulder as if that'll soften the blow.

I turn my gaze to Melanie and send a glare her way. "What is going on?" I exclaim.

"We needed to get you out here. You are going to regret missing this concert."

"No guys. I am not going to regret missing this concert," I look between both of them. The sun is going down and I squint my eyes to get a better look for them. "You lied to me?" I frown, pulling my hair to the side.

I love my best friends to death but I don't understand why they would lie to me. I specifically told them I did not want to go to the concert. I was not going to accept pity backstage passes. They know better than anyone that I hate being pitied. I'm not a victim. My lack of loving parents does not make me a victim.