Don't fall

Chpt 12 : Daddy date

When I wake up, my phone is still pressed to my cheek. It probably left a watermark. I plug my phone in, seeing I have a few text messages I must've got while I was talking to Jarod all night. I blink away the blurriness in my eyes, exhausted. My eyes don't want to stay open.

Xander: "Are you sure?"

Henry: "Thanks for letting me know."

Xander: "I'm worried about you."

Xander: "See you at school tomorrow."

I sigh heavily, not answering him back. I can't go to school today. I just can't. Instead, I head into my bathroom, puking into the toilet, feeling completely sick. I change into some pajamas and wash my face with cold water, then I lay back down, snuggling deeper into my covers. I press my phone to my ear, calling Dad.

Dad: "Hey sweetheart"

Me: "Dad..I'm sick"

Dad: "I'm sorry sugar, is mom home?"

Me: ---

Dad: "You there?"

Me: "I haven't seen you in forever"

Dad: "I know honey, I've been working. I've had a lot of meetings.."

Me: "I miss you"

Dad: "I miss you too honey. Now, get some sleep and take some medicine. I'll call the school and let them know. I love you."

Me: "Love you too"

I sigh, glad I don't have to worry about school today. I can't always show up to school with bruises.. People will think I'm weird. That I always fight.. I press my cheek to my pillow, thinking about school.

My grades are all fine, I don't think I have any enemies, but clearly..I do. Unless it wasn't someone from school? I wish I could remember..

I throw an arm over my eyes, sighing. Everything hurts still. Even my heart aches. I drift in and out of slumber, my mind going over everything until I feel numb.

Last night I got all my feelings out to Jarod, so I feel a little better after talking about it all.. but it still all hurts.

***

My ears perk at the sound of a light knocking. I squint my eyes open, glancing at the clock. 4:57pm. I walk over to the door, unlocking it and peeking my head through the hole. "Hey sweetheart" dad says the second he sees me, a wide smile on his face. I shove open the door and throw my arms around him. I squeeze him with all I have left.

He laughs, "alright, you're gonna choke me to death! Come on, I brought some McDonalds for you" he says,walking past me and jumping onto my bed. He turns on Star Wars and we sit there and eat for a moment. Then, he turns towards me.

"What are all the cuts and bruises from?" He asks me with a frown. I frown back. What am I supposed to say? "They look like they've been well tended to, but why are they there?" He asks, brushing a finger over the cut on my face and wincing.

"Dad.." I start, taking a calming breath, "I don't remember". Dad raises an eyebrow at me, confused. "My friends found me behind the school all beat up, I honestly don't remember what happened, or who it was.." I say with a shaky voice. He nods. "I see..I'm sorry, that must be very scary."

I continue to eat my chicken nuggets, going back to watching the movie. Dad eats quietly, he doesn't ask me anything else about my bruises. Thank god for that. We joke around and laugh, enjoying scenes with JarJar Binks and awkward Anakin.

"Alright sweetheart, I need to get back to work, get some sleep, I love you" dad says, kissing me on the forehead and then leaving. I rest my head down on my pillow, smiling. I got to hang out with my dad for a few hours. That's amazing.

I play video games for an hour or two, before laying back down and closing my eyes. Dizziness pushes and pulls at me, making playing video games nearly impossible ATM. I turn on some music, listening to Mourning Star by Gemini Syndrome first. Then I listen to sound tracks from Halo, Undertale and other games. It's calming. My eyes shut, just in time for my phone to start ringing.

Me: *yawn*
Xander: princess! You okay? You didn't answer me!
Me: I'm fine Xander, just tired.
Xander: okay..can I come and visit you?
Me: sorry, my mom will be home soon.
Xander: that's okay! I'd love to meet her!
Me: that's not a good idea..
Xander: why?
Me: —
Xander: okay, I won't. But you need to text me back now.
Me: I was just about to fall asleep though
Xander: oh..yes, sleep is good. Sleep.
Me: okay dork, goodnight.
Xander: goodnight, my princess.

I hang up, tossing my phone away, yawning again. My eyes ache. I head into my bathroom and brush my teeth with my peppermint toothpaste and then I brush out my dark chocolate hair. My face is swollen and looks so bruised my skin might as well be dark colors.

I run downstairs, grabbing ice to put on my face and then I go back up and lay down. It's exhausting doing this much work. Which is basically no work at all..

I suck on my bottom lip, making sure to text Xander and say Thanks for talking to me and then texting Henry my situation. He answers quickly, telling me it's no problem and that he'd get my missing work. I smile at his thoughtfulness. He's such a gentleman.

I fall into the dream state, awkward positioning.  Maybe I'll go to school next week. Maybe..

No promises.