Obsession

Chapter 24

I turn over and silence my alarm for the third time this morning. I can't believe it's already time to get up. I feel like I just went to sleep a few minutes ago.

I drag myself out of bed and start getting ready for the day. After I've showered, brushed my teeth and put on a little makeup, I dig through my bag to find something decent to wear.

I spent all weekend with Leo and never quite got around to unpacking. Now, everything I have is wrinkled. I don't have time to press anything, so I'll just have to make do with what I've got.

I join my dad at the kitchen table and pour myself a bowl of Fruit Loops.

"Well, good morning my little ray of sunshine," he says, looking over his newspaper and raising a brow. "How did you sleep?"

"Fine," I mumble, pouring milk over my cereal. I pause when I realize he's still watching me. "What?"

He shrugs. "Just wondering how you can spend twelve hours with someone and still feel the need to talk to them on the phone for another three or four when you're gonna see them again the next day."

I roll my eyes in response and shove a spoonful of sugary cereal into my mouth.

"You should probably do something about that hickey on your neck," he says casually, going back to his newspaper.

I gasp and start feeling around my neck. "What?! Where?"

"Below your left ear," he says without looking up.

I get up and rush into the bathroom. I flip on the light and check my neck in the mirror.

"Shit," I hiss, "how did I miss that?"

I do my best to cover it up with concealer, but I don't trust it to last all day, so I take my ponytail down to provide some additional coverage.

Once I'm satisfied with my camouflage, I give my reflection a nod of approval and head back into the kitchen.

I silently eat my cereal while dad reads his newspaper and sips his coffee. We haven't had a whole lot of interaction in our first weekend together, but judging from the little we did have, I'd say we're off to a good start.

"Are you wearing that?" he asks, putting his newspaper down on the table and wrinkling his nose up at my choice of clothing.

Or not.

I look down at my wrinkled t-shirt and frown. "I don't have much to choose from."

"Then maybe you should learn how to use an iron."

"I don't have time," I sigh.

"Well, if you wouldn't have snoozed your alarm five times this morning, you'd probably have more time."

I give him a bored look. "What is your deal today?"

"My deal? I'm just giving you some valuable fashion advice," he smirks.

I get up from my chair with a huff and take my bowl to the sink. "And I'll have you know, I only snoozed my alarm three times," I tell him before walking away.

"Tomato, tomoto," I hear him call out after me.

I gather my things together and check to make sure the purple spot on my neck is concealed before I head outside to meet my dad.

He grins when he sees me coming. "I remember the last time I dropped you off at school like it was yesterday. You must've been about nine or so."

"Just don't embarrass me like you did back then," I say, getting into his truck.