Life Happens

Chapter 8

[Abigail]

There was no one waiting for me in my room, thankfully. Dad wasn’t sitting in the corner, in the dark room, waiting for me. Nor was mom sitting on my bed giving me a deadly glare. So, I made it back unsuspecting and got ready for school.

I headed downstairs and into the kitchen. When I stepped in, there was an obvious tension in the air. Mom was cooking breakfast with a faraway look on her face; dad had his face hidden by the paper; Mia was eating breakfast without a care in the world; and Zoë was nowhere to be found.

“Morning,” I said quietly. Mom turned at the sound of my give giving me a blank look. Dad didn’t even acknowledge me.

“Morning Abby!” Mia yelled with food in her mouth. I smiled and patted her head. At least she wasn’t affected by all the mayhem in the house.

I ate my food slowly, consumed by my thoughts. I hated how things were. The house was quiet, no one talked, and there was so much tension. This wasn’t my family; those two people I call my parents were strangers. Where did my fun love parents who were always smiling and laughing go? These angry, silent people were strangers.

“Let’s go Mia,” I said pushing my plate away.

She nodded and grabbed her bag. She said goodbye to mom and dad, and received no goodbyes back. She didn’t seem to care, though as we emerged from the house. I looked next door to see Alexander's motorcycle gone from its parking spot.

“Mia,” I said starting the car. “Where's Zoë?”

“Mommy said she was staying home today,” she said. I nodded thoughtfully and pulled from the driveway.

I dropped Mia off at school and made my way to the high school. As I was walking to the entrance, I couldn’t help but notice the stares and whispers from everyone else. Well, this was unusual. The only reason they would actually pay attention to me had to be because of gossip.

“Well, lookie here. Its little Abigail,” a voice said.

I turned to see Ashley and her sisters smirking behind me. I frowned, wondering how they knew my name exactly. We were never cordial with each other and it bothered me to hear her call me ‘little Abigail.’

“May I help you?” I said without trying to sound annoyed.

“So, is it true your sister got knocked up?” she asked her smirk widening. Never underestimate the speed of high school gossip, I guess.

“Who knows,” I said clearly bored. Her smirk faltered a fraction, but she quickly covered it.

“Must be sad not knowing the father. I heard she ‘gets around’ and there's a good chance Brandon may not be the father,” she said. Okay, that bothered me. I'm sure she knows that’s not true and Brandon's the cheater. But, she hated me, so of course she would try and get under my skin. Well, it worked.

“You should be an expert, you tell me,” I said smiling slowly. I cocked my head to the side as she gave me a dark look. “Did I hit a nerve? Please tell me I did.”

“Look here you little bitch,” she said advancing on me slowly. I raised an eyebrow but said nothing. “I'm sick of playing games with you. Now, I've been patient with you, but not anymore. You know what I want and suggest you give it to me or else.”

My smile widened. Oh, she still wanted me to stay away from Alexander. Well, I'm not going to do that no matter how many times she threatened me. And I was going to enjoy messing with her. I wonder how far I can push her before she snapped.