Anger Issues

82

A/N: I'm sorry I got tired of writing out the numbers

Jessica

"I'm sorry, it's too hard. I can't do this," Kevin jumped down from the stage. "Bro, come on, give it another try," Austin said.

"I can't, I'm sorry," he shook his head, slinging his bag over his shoulder before walking out of the auditorium.

I turned around, only to see Janice and Tyler shrug with sympathetic expressions.

"We're with him," Tyler said. "Guys, give it another try, we still have time," I said. Janice shook her head, following Tyler down the stage. Within the minute, Austin and I were left alone.

I sighed while anger filled my head. Me personally, as a passive aggressive person, wanted badly to just go home.

I walked down the stage and unplugged all the wires to the laptop, shutting everything down before grabbing my bag.

"Jess," Austin called. "Yeah?" I glanced back at him. "We can do it on our own, like we did at your house," he came to my side, putting his arm over my shoulder.

I stayed quiet. It was true, but I was still pissed at how fast they gave in.

He dropped his arm, intertwining his fingers between mine. "I wanted to tell you something, but I kept forgetting," he began. I glanced up at him, waiting for him to continue.

"My dad got relocated for a few, and my family and I are going with him for a few days," he explained. "Really, that's amazing," I forced a smile.

I was happy for him and his family, but the feeling wasn't strong enough to be a real smile.

"Where are you going?" I asked. "The Bahamas," he softly said. Austin hated to talk about places he would go, because he always thought he came off as a bragger- which he didn't.

"That's so cool. For how long?" I asked. "A few days. We're not sure when yet, though," he shrugged.

"Let me know ASAP," I said. "I will," he nodded.

—

"Make sure you have the dance down," I told him, reaching for the handle of the door. "Babe, we got it, relax," he softly laughed.

I smiled and playfully rolled my eyes. "Bye," I got out of the car.

Pulling my keys out of my bag, I unlocked the door and walked in, hearing Austin drive away.

"Jessica?" I looked up. "Hi Grams," I smiled widely, immediately going in for a hug. I wasn't expecting Grams and Pops to be over, but I loved when they did come. I honestly loved them so much.

"Did Pops come, too?" I asked. "He's in the bathroom, but he's here," Grams swatted her hand. I let out a laugh.

"Do you need anything? Where's Mom and Dad?" I asked. "Right here," Dad waved from the kitchen. "Hi," I said, still smiling.

"Your mother went out to get dinner for tonight," he said.

Woah- both my parents were home? And sober? Woah.

From the hall, I heard the bathroom door open, and saw Pops walk out.

"Hi Pops," I smiled again, walking over to hug him. "Hi," he laughed, hugging me as well.

"How's school?" He asked. "Good," I nodded. "You're doing a performance tomorrow?" He asked. "Yeah, how'd you know?" I asked.

"Your mother told me, that's why we came," he laughed. "Aw, thank you," I smiled. "Is Noah home?" I asked. "Not yet, we wanted to surprise both of you so don't tell him we're here," he warned. I nodded.

"I wouldn't be able to anyway," I shrugged. "Jessica, can you fix this for me?" Grams called. I turned around, Pops and I walking to the living room.

She handed me her phone, which she recently got upgraded. I guess she pressed the home button three times, because the colors were inverted.

"When this happens, just press the home button three times fast," I told her, doing it for her. Just like that, the colors adjusted normally. "Oh, thank you," she squinted, looking at the screen.

"Ah, these new phones confuse us, but we got a good deal on them," Pops said, making me laugh. "I'm sure you did," I nodded.

"I'll be right back," I told them.

I jogged upstairs, hearing Nite's claws against the wood behind me. He ran into my room before I could, making me laugh.

"I love you, Nite," I picked him up, hugging him for a few seconds. He licked my face a few times, making me put him down so I could wipe it off.

I was pretty cold, so I slipped on a hoodie and leggings instead of jeans, hoping to warm up faster.

It was almost spring, hopefully, but there was still snow outside. That's just New York.

By the time I finished up, I heard the talking get louder downstairs, so I assumed either Mom or Noah came back.

Picking up Nite again, I brought him down, where we were greeted by both, Noah and Mom.

While Noah was hugging Pops, he gave me a confused look. I shrugged. Both of us were equally as confused when it came to how this added up so perfectly.

The second I set Nite down, he ran to Mom and Noah.

When Mom and Dad started talking with Grams and Pops, I realized how.. happy they looked. Or pretended to look.

Regardless, it gave me an idea.

Dad would never get drunk in front of Grams and Pops. So, to help him become sober again, I'd just have to convince them to come over more often.

It probably wouldn't work, and would take a lot of effort, but I could try. If it did work, maybe our family would slowly mend back together.