Stephanie & Xander

Chapter 6

It is election season once again. I hate autumns of the sixth year because of this. Dad didn't try to be re-elected. He's got a chance because well, he didn't ruin his family for nothing. He's a pretty great governor but he no longer has a family to show everyone. He did well keeping it from press but if he tries anything funny, he's going to leave his position with a bad reputation.

Turning the TV on, there's nothing but news about election. People only think about politics. I admit it's a very important part as an American citizen to actively support election but man... it's suffocating for people like me.

The commentators on TV say that it seems like Ed Woodward is going to win the position. He's popular and has great reputation and people like him. But I don't care about who's gonna win. What caught my attention is his surname 'Woodward'. He's probably Alexa's father. That asshole, selling his daughter to a no-good family. He just looks kind but he's actually evil.

His name somehow has this weird ring on it. Ed Woodward. Did he shorten his name? Ed is too short. Could his real name be Edward? So, Edward Woodward? God, his name is a joke. It's a tongue twister. I was called 'Coughman' once or twice but whatever they say, 'Stephan Kaufman' still sounds way better than Edward Woodward. It sounds like Squidward.

Me: So, you're father is actually winning?

Alexa: I think so. He's got a good publicity.*Skeptical emoji*

Me: Why aren't you coming to his campaign?

Alexa: Well, I'm busy in school. *Emoji with a drop of sweat*

There we are with the same excuse of studies. They really believe that students are cramming in December? Hello? It's Christmas! Christmas is Holiday. I always think of Alexa as innocent, bubbly and pure, like a kept princess in a tower. No touch of any malice but here she is... using the 'busy in school' excuse. I'm sure she's lying. There's a chance that she has home tutorial but that can wait. They're paid to wait.

I guess everyone lies. It's not easy to get the assurance I wanted. Even I am keeping things.

I've tried living in the same house with Emily so now I couldn't remember how it felt without her. I'm still a little anxious about his vague answers but it's still much better to see her rather than let this depression nibble away the remaining reason I have.

But when I'm in their house, she's out. Laqueta seems reluctant but she still told me that Emily is hanging out with her friends. Of course, I'm not the only friend she have. Of course, I have friends too. I have a life aside from her. My classmates are assholes but I have friends too. Like Alexa... but whom face I don't know.

Or, probably I really don't have any other friends aside from that cold Pomsky and Abby. And, Abby is like an orphanage. Everyone is welcome. So, I don't really have anyone else aside from Emily. Maybe it's not Emily leaning onto me. It's more like me leaning onto her. Now, I felt even more pathetic.

These cold days went on. She's out having life and I either die in my room or visit their place to assist Abby on tattooing or I just sit in the shop, scrolling on Pinterest or searching Ed Gein's well-made collection. I'm crazy.

Then, Edward Woodward was elected. Father went back to Green Valley. And, because I found Emily's coldness intolerable, I came with dad. The house is empty and even though days passed by, the house still smells abandoned and vacant.

Dad spends his days trimming Bonsais and if that weren't enough, he trims topiaries too. I spend my time, sleeping in school and playing sad songs at home. This is the closest I've ever been with my father. We still don't talk unless we're arguing who would accept the pizza by the door. But, the way we experience the same thing is what draws us a little closer.