Oddball

Chapter Five

On December 15th, Winter Break begins and we're let out of school for 3 weeks. This is why I shift anxiously in my seat during my final class of the day. Once the bell rings, I'll be out of school and I won't have to go back for a long while. Goodbye social anxiety.

I grin to myself as I look up at the clock. There's 15 minutes left until the day ends. My gaze fixes on Milo, who taps the end of his pen on his wrist. The teacher rambles on about how we should spend time working on our Unit Projects over the course of vacation. Two girls in the rear corner of the classroom discuss their plans for New Year's Eve. My phone goes off in my pocket and I pull it out, reading a text from Willow.

She asks about my plans for the break. I inform her that I'm going to take a trip to Florida to catch up with family, then we're leaving two days before Christmas. She texts me back, telling me that it sounds like fun. I ask her what she is doing and she replies with "nothing".

I grin as I get an idea, asking her to tag along with me. The bell rings and I hurry out of class. I meet up Willow in the hallway and Milo manages to catch up to us as we head out the front doors.

"Hey! Payton, I'm having a party tonight! You should come." He gives me that grin that could melt the hearts of a million teenage girls and I turn to Willow.

"Can Willow tag along?" I ask, placing my hand gently on her shoulder.

A look of uncertainty crosses his face as his gaze switches to Willow. She shakes her head and looks over to me.

"It's fine, I wasn't invited. No worries." She smiles as she adjusts the white beanie perched atop her head.

"No, you can come. It's fine. It starts at 8." Milo nods and heads out the doors, informing other people about tonight as he shimmies down the stairs.

Willow looks at me, her face slightly red. I feel bad. Milo has never acted like a dick before. That was a first.. I pull her into a hug and then we walk out together.

"So, do you wanna go?" I ask awkwardly. "You don't have to. But, I'll probably go. Just because Milo was like... The first friend I ever made here."

"I might swing by." Willow says, beaming.

I smile, reassured by her attitude. We walk to my car and then I tell her goodbye and to text me. She nods happily and then prances off. Walking home, I'm sure.

I drive home, arriving to my mother sitting at the kitchen table by herself. The only light on in the house is the one above the table. She clutches a picture in her hand and stares at it. The way her eyes are so empty and sad makes my heart ache for her. She looks at the picture with such hurt and confusion, it's almost as if she's attempting to bring the picture to life.

I approach her and rest my hands on her shoulders, stealing a glance at the photo. As soon as I do, I regret it. It's a picture of my father with a huge, goofy smile on his face. My mother stands beside him, looking young and beautiful and cradling me in her arms. My hair is pulled into two short pig tails with a stuffed dog dangling in my hand.

I look away and instead, pull my mother into a firm hug. She hugs me tight. It almost feels like she expects me to disappear from her grasp. She pulls back with a raggedy breath as I sit beside her.

"It's been a while." Mom says, blowing out air.

"Yeah... It has." I nod slowly and take her hand across the table.

"I didn't realize how much I miss him." She tells me.

The fact that it's almost Christmas is probably what stirred this on. Dad used to love Christmas. I remember it would always be 90 degrees outside but he would be outside anyway, stringing Christmas lights and decorations on the house. One year, he even put the Christmas light reindeer on the roof and made a landing strip. He was always such a funny, happy guy.

"This is our first Christmas without him here." She murmurs, her eyes filling with tears.

"I know. But, I promise I'll try so hard to make it just as good as all the ones before."

"Payton... You're such a good kid. Thank you for being so good. I'm sorry I've been such a wreck. I just... I loved him so much." A lone tear rolls down her cheek and she pulls me into an embrace once more.

"I loved him too. Don't worry, Mom. We're getting through this. We've already made it through the worst. Look, we're here. We're nearly financially stable. We're doing just fine." I tell her, breaking the embrace.

"I'll make us some dinner. Then, I'm gonna let you settle in. Milo invited me to his party tonight, is it okay if I go?"

"Of course, love. Just don't get into trouble." She tells me. "Thank you so much."

I nod and smile as I stroll into the kitchen, preparing a nice dinner for the two of us(I ordered pizza). After we eat, Mom goes into her room and watches some movies. I get ready for the party and ring up Willow.

"Are you going?" I ask.

"I'm already here. Where are you?"

Glancing at the clock, I notice it's already 8:45. I quickly dash out the door, yelling goodbye to my mom. I hurry to the party and my mind is racing throughout the drive. I just keep thinking, tonight is going to be a good night.