How to Fall Apart

Chapter Twenty-Four

I went and waited for Alissa outside of her government class. My phone was dead so I busied myself by contemplating ideas for my extra credit assignment and pouting about my predicament. Alissa emerged from class yawning and grinned when she saw me.

    "You know, government is so much more interesting when you miss the first half and sleep through the second half." She yawned again, it was contagious and I yawned back at her. I could really use a nap and if I went right home I could probably squeeze one in before I had to work at four.

    "Can you give me a ride home?" I didn't want to have to call Mom to come get me.

    "It's supposed to snow tonight. Like a lot!" She said excitedly. "They're already talking about canceling school tomorrow! Let's go do something fun!"

    "I have to work." She made a face and then pressed her hand to my forehead.

    "You look pale. I think you're coming down with something," she teased. "You should probably call in and I'll nurse you back to health."

    "I wish I could, but if I don't go home my mom will probably kill me and you can't nurse me back from death," I told her.

    When we pulled up in front of my house there were two unfamiliar cars parked out front along with Mom's car. Sometimes our neighbors in the duplex parked in front of our side even though they weren't supposed to so I didn't think much of it.

          When I went inside I fully intended to go straight to my room to plug in my phone so I could call Nate and then take a nap. However, when I stepped inside I thought that maybe I was delirious from lack of sleep and that I was seeing things. Mom was sitting on the chair and Dad and Kristen were sitting on the couch. And they were all laughing. Kristen held a glass of water and Mom was drinking from her favorite coffee mug. I rubbed my eyes and blinked a few times to make sure this was really happening. It was.

    "Veda, how was school?" Mom gave me a tight smile and I wonder if Dad and Kristen noticed that I was still in yesterday's clothes. Or if they could tell I'd been crying and that it was mostly their fault.

    "Fine," I lied. It probably wasn't a good time to ask her if she would excuse me from at least my art class. Then I wouldn't have to worry about extra credit and I could just turn in my mural assignment the next day. But I didn't think she would do that anyway. "I have to work soon so..." I trailed off and started down the hallway toward my room.

    Dad cleared his throat and called after me. "Veda, come have a seat." I closed my eyes and contemplated ignoring him but I had a feeling Mom was going to back him up instead of me. I took a deep breath and walked very slowly back into the living room. I raised my eyebrow at him and crossed my arms over my chest impatiently. There were still over two hours until I had to work but I did not have time for this. "Sit down," he urged as though he had something important to tell me. Hadn't he already dropped a big enough bomb the day before?

    "Where? Mom's lap?" I said sarcastically. There was room on the couch with Dad and Kristen but I was not interested in playing happy family with them even if Mom was. "I'll stand thanks."

    Dad looked uncomfortable. He started to speak and then closed his mouth. Kristen decided to take over. "We bought you a car!" She clapped excitedly. My eyes widened and my mouth dropped open. I looked from mom to dad. Kristen was the only one who looked excited about this. Dad was tensing and relaxing his jaw over and over and Mom wore a pinched expression.

    "Seriously? What's the catch?" There had to be a catch, especially with how Mom and Dad were acting. They exchanged a look and Mom spoke up.

    "If you're not responsible enough to go to school when you're supposed to be there, then you're not responsible enough for a car," she said in her no nonsense tone. Kristen lost her excited expression and looked like a sad puppy.