The Stoic And The Beast

Heart Broken

Alicia's POV

Once I got home, showered and settled in. I curled up on the sofa and watched some television. I waited for mom to come home and for Tyler and Idget to stop by. The hospital delivered my care packages safely and I shared a few texts back and forth with Jake and Luke. Letting them know I was back home and feeling fine. Jake insisted on coming over but I didn't want him to see my embarrassing house or to see how poor we were. I know he comes from a very rich household so I can only imagine how sorry he would feel for me if he came to my house. I couldn't help but feel a little bit ashamed of my home.

The walls were cracking and the faded and warped wooden floors squeaked horribly. A few spots in the ceiling had water stains. The windows had a few too many layers of paint and there was nothing updated at all about our appliances or furniture. Jake would laugh all the way out to his car if he got a look inside this place. No way was he ever coming here.

For some reason, I felt a little more at ease at the thought of Luke coming here. But that didn't mean I would allow him to visit my home either. Nope and nope. I felt kinda bad telling them no but I knew I'd feel even worse if I had let them come here. I told them both that I'd see them at school and that's how that was going to stay. End. Of. Story.

I huddled under my favorite fuzzy blanket hugging my knees and laughed at the program on the tv. Dad brought me a grilled cheese and tomato soup. It's just about the only thing he knows how to cook on the stove. He's good at grilling outside but stovetop cooking is dangerous when he's the one doing it. He sat down beside me quietly. There was an uncomfortable silence filling the room.

"Dad, can I ask you something?"

"Sure baby girl. What is it?"

"Why didn't you rip Luke to shreds when he asked to date me?"

"Your mom told me I needed to 'cut the cord' as she calls it." He said holding his fingers up with air quotes as he said it.

"She said your not a little girl anymore and you can make your own decisions. She told me to stop being an 'ass' and let you grow up."

"Oh."

"And she specifically said I can't control who your friends are or who you date. Including that jerk fella from the hospital. Not the blonde one, but the other one. What's his name?"

"Jake?" I asked.

"Yeah, that one. Well, I'm glad the blonde one asked me first because now I don't gotta worry about the other one. Right?"

"I dunno," I answered in between his ranting. But he continues to ramble.

"The blonde one, what's his name again?"

"Luke."

"Yeah, him. He looks innocent enough I guess. Like he wouldn't dare touch you. He's afraid to hold your God damn hand even!" He laughed.

I burst out laughing then quickly bit my lip to stifle my laugh.

If he only knew. I thought.

"I don't think I need to worry about that Luke kid. He just wants to go on some harmless dates. I can tell a guy who has no agenda from the ones who just wanna get into a girls pa..."

"Dad!" I cut him off.

"Well anyway, that's why I agreed to it. Plus he seems like an alright kid. Respectful enough and all." He said putting in his last two cents on the matter.

"Okay dad, I get it. And thanks. Remind me to thank mom when she gets home too."

"Are you really gonna go on a date with Luke?" He asked raising an eyebrow at me.