Book 1: Beyond Me and You

That's Not Fair

Ailee has been sick for the past few days and recently it's only gotten worse. Nathan is trying his best to handle school and taking care of a sick Ailee of there aren't enough hours in a day. He's missed a day of school so I made sure to pick up his missing work. I made sure to take extra detailed notes so that he won't miss anything.

Dad has been busy with work and is rarely ever home. Kayla found herself some friends at the country club she recently joined and has been spending a lot more time there than at home. Since it's still indoor season, Dean tries to practice as much as possible. Even though the summer season is still a few months away he insists on practicing to make sure he's ready to go when the time comes.

College applications were stressful but I managed to get them all done before their deadline and since it's March, I'm suppose to be hearing back from them anytime soon. Being nervous wouldn't even begin to describe how I feel about college right now. Senior year in total has been a rollercoaster.

In a week dad and Kayla are to be married. They've changed the date so many times but this time its official and I can tell dad is excited. Kayla has been able to make him smile in ways I never thought I'd see again.

A knock on the door grabs my attention and I walk over to open it. The sun setting manages to hit my eyes, for a second blinding me from seeing the person at the door. Once my eyes adjust I see a drunk Caleb barely managing to remain standing.

"Why can't I ever have a normal day" I say under my breath but Caleb must've heard because he raised his eyes to look at me.

"What?!" he asks raising his voice more than he should.

"What are you doing here?"

"Ohhhhhh. Um...there's a party and Sienna was like 'do you know Larkin?' and I was like 'yeah I use to talk her' and then she was like 'you should invite her' and I was like 'that's a great idea' and-"

"Caleb!" I yell in frustration. "Please stop talking and I'm not going to that party so you should just leave."

"Okay." He says peacefully. "I'll just drive back and tell Sienna no"

"Wait what?" I ask alarmed.

"I said, I'll just-"

"I know what you said. You're not driving like that"

"Well how else can I drive?" he asks as he stares at me with confusion. I stand at the doorway contemplating on what to do. I know for a fact I can't let him drive back to the party but I also don't want to go see Sienna. I thought about having him stay here but he'll probably put up a fight since I'll be cutting his Friday night short.

"Fuck it. Give me the keys I'll drive"

I grab the keys and a jacket before I close the front door. After gently guiding Caleb to his car, I help him get into the passenger's seat before I go over to the driver's seat. The car ride to the party wasn't as bad as I thought it would be considering I don't drive. The difficult part was having Caleb tell me where the party was but after a few circles around the same neighborhood he managed to finally remember.

We both get out of the car and Caleb takes off running towards the front door of the house.

"Caleb!" I yell trying to stop him but he soon disappears into the crowd leaving me with his car keys.

With much reluctance I make my way through the crowd inside the house looking for a drunk Caleb, but it's almost as if he's not here. I've gone through the house twice but I have yet to find him. People here are beyond drunk and there is vomit in every single trash can in the house.

It's a week before dad and Kayla's wedding and I should be home getting some last minute things done, but instead I find myself look for Caleb, who I'm starting to think isn't at the party anymore.

My phone vibrates in my pocket and I see dad's name appear on the screen.

"Shit"

I go to answer but I accidentally bump into a guy causing him to drop some of his drink.

"I'm so sorry"

"Hey no worries" is all he says before he walks away towards the kitchen.

I answer the call and immediately regret it.

"So that is where you ran off to?! Lark, Kayla and I trusted you to finish the last minute items that we need done for the wedding next weekend, but instead we come home to an empty house while you're at a party. I am very disappointed in you and I expect you to be home in five minutes exactly."

He hangs up before I can say anything. I put my phone away and start running out the door and down the sidewalk in the direction of my house. I have never ran as fast as I find myself running at this very moment. My feet are moving as fast as they possibly can and I soon see the house come into view.

I run up the front steps and open the front door before I catch my breath. My heart is beating like crazy and I am out of breath. When I look up I encounter dad with his arms folded across his chest and Kayla stands beside him with a nervous face.

"Larkin this is the last time you do anything like this. I've been lenient with you in the past but that's over."

"Dad wait-"

"No! I'm not gonna give you the chance to make up a lie. You've gotten your way for too long. You're grounded."

"What?! That's not fair" I yell back in disbelief at his sudden outburst.

"I don't care. I want you to go to school and come straight home everyday after school. You're gonna help finish prepare for the wedding and you're not going to go out with friends until after the wedding."

"Why are you being so unfair?!" I yell back with tears threatening to fall. Dad hasn't yelled at me in over four years and I have no idea why he's being so irrational.

"It's your fault for being irresponsible"

"But-"

"Go up to your room!" he yells as he points up the stairs. I make my way up the stairs without saying another word.

I slam my door shut and throw myself on my bed, letting all of my tears flow freely. If he would've just let me explain, he would've known I just didn't want Caleb to drive while he was drunk. Other than that I would've never of gone to the party.

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Hiiii I hope you all like this book so far

Honestly I just wrote a chapter that I want you all to read it but I can't upload it ahead of time or else I'll fall behind in the upload schedule 😭

But don't worry it'll be up in three weeks from now