Caught Between the Crossfire

Allison

I held my anger in.
The travesties of my brother's actions were not held accountable. Who am I kidding, he's the golden child, of course he wouldn't have gotten in trouble, especially if I was the one to blame. I decided to skip school today, not wanting to hear the gossip or listen to the girls ask me questions I couldn't answer.
I sat outside playing with the leaves that were laying on the floor, my hands shivering once in a while. How could this happen to me? How could this happen? My mother snuck up behind me sitting down giving me a small smile.
"So are you ever going to tell me what really happened," she asked.
"Your son is what happened," I said, putting my freezing hands on my face.

"Mom, how could he embarrass me in front of everyone? He had Liam punch the new student for talking to me. Ugh, can't he see he's making my life hell," I exclaimed.
"He did what! That child of mine is just asking for it at this point."

"Mom tell me about it, it's the spring dance all over again. Don't get me started on Liam. He is out of control as well. He's making me write his stupid paper and I don't know if it's the crush I used to have on him or because I'm just that easy to manipulate," I huffed, she reached in for a hug.
"Allison, you are a young bright woman, I don't know why you let your brother define you. Do you need me to talk to your father again? Maybe he can take you on his next trip next week so you can have a few days to yourself," I looked at her, giving her a humorless laugh.
"Yeah right, my father would put me to work. I think I just need to suck it up for a bit," I looked out at Lake Washington, the gray clouds reflecting against the water like a mirror. We were quiet for a few minutes, lost in our thoughts.
"Mom, do you remember last summer when Dad took his trip to California, what happened," I whispered. She looked at me and then looked at her hands. Her short hair was covering her face as she looked down. Her blue eyes hidden from my questions, almost like I was asking a question I must've known. The breeze was getting a bit cold, leaves slowly falling from the trees around us.
"Earth to Mom, I asked you a question," I chuckled, I knew she would avoid it as much as possible.
"How about we get out of this cold and prepare lunch," she said smiling. I rolled my eyes and nodded my head. I helped her to her feet as we headed towards the house, laughing at my brother's expense.
>>>>>><<<<<<
I spent the whole day being lazy, catching up on my favorite shows, and buying dumb stuff on the internet. My dad is going to kill me. Whatever. 

"How was school," I asked Cindy as we video chatted.
"Boring, the Physics teacher is a pain in the ass."

Cindy asked me to call her as soon as possible so now I was stuck listening to her ramble about Mrs. Davidson.

"Maybe you should give her a cupcake, lighten the mood or something," I said, I was painting my toes while Cindy picked out an outfit for tomorrow. 

"Yeah right, she would likely throw it in the trash can. How could anyone marry such a grouch like her," she giggled.

"I mean my mom did," I grabbed the light pink shade adding dots to my big toe.

"Your dad is hot though, plus didn't they meet in college or something like that?

I gagged."That's so gross Cindy. Remember when we talked about boundaries, please keep them. They met in high school actually. They started dating their last year of university, I don't know why, all I know is that she is so out of his league," I heard movement by the door. I looked up and my father was standing at the door frowning a little. Shit.

"Um I'll let you go," Cindy hung up as soon as she saw him.
"Well I'll have you know Allison, I was very hot when I was your age."

"You're still kind of grumpy though, doesn't change anything. What do you need dad," I rolled my eyes. You see, my father and I have had a love-hate relationship, we're polar opposites in every way. He is very close with my siblings, I just stick with my mother most of the time.

"Dinner is ready. Your mother told me you wanted to come to the business trip next week, I think you should stay this time." He gives me a forced smile and walks away.
"Yea I guess so," I whispered to myself. 
Mason Sanders was anything but a good father. His ambition almost ruined our family last year and everything my mother had accomplished. Of course, my grandfather saved the day but I'm still salty about it. My father doesn't want anything to do with me, but as I said, I don't mind. 

 I capped the nail polish and sat it on my bookstand. One of these days I will end up ruining my covers. I took my sweet time putting my sandals on and grabbing my phone from its charger.