Incomplete

Chapter 18, Lacey

It's early in the morning but the sun's already up. I run along the sidewalk as the it warms my back and listen to the steady pace of my feet when they hit the ground. Music is blasting loudly in my ears and I can feel myself growing more and more tired. Though that doesn't stop me from picking up my pace.

I couldn't sleep at all. I had to study for an upcoming biology test.

I also kept thinking about my mom.

It's something I avoid doing, because I know she won't come back, but tonight I couldn't stop myself.

I know the story. My dad has told it to me about a hundred times, because in the beginning, I didn't understand why she didn't come back.

My dad moved here from Italy when he was only 18 years old, so that he could spend the rest of his life with my mom. He had met her in his home country, and he fell in love with her immediately. After a while, she realised that she loved him too.

When she had to go back to the States to her family, my dad followed her.

They lived together for a while, keeping their relationship a secret from her parents, because she knew that they would not approve of her. Caroline's parents, my mom's parents, were very rich, they probably still are, and they wanted her to marry someone with just as much money as them.

So when she finally got pregnant with me she knew she had to tell them soon. She wanted to tell them, they were her parents after all. They would understand.

But they didn't.

When they learned about what had been going on for all those year they threatened her. My dad doesn't know exactly what the threat was about, but it was enough for her to leave us and never look back.

Sometimes I really hate her. Because of her absence I will have a hard time getting into college. My dad says that he'll be able to gather all the money that's needed, but I know he can't do it.

That's why I have to get into get that scholarship in biology, and why I can't fail any of my tests.

I keep running for another five minutes until I just can't do it anymore. I walk the rest of the way until I'm home again and make sure to sneak past my dad without him noticing me. He's down in the café, baking again.

When I reach my room I gather my clothes that I've been planning on wearing today and head to the shower. It takes some time for the water to get warm and usually I wait for it, but today I just get in immediately. In the beginning the water feels ice cold, but after a while my body gets used to it.

After my shower I get dressed, and since I don't feel like drying my hair I just make two braids. When I'm done I sit in front of my mirror, staring at myself for a few minutes. My eyes look tired and my posture is definitely not the best.

I notice the pile of clothes in the back of my room.

Alex's clothes.

I straighten my back. "Might as well return them," I mumble to myself as I move to pick them up.

I make my way down to the café and pass my dad who's cleaning the tables.

"I'm going to see Georgi," I tell him.

"Sure, have fun," He gives me a smile and continue on with his work.

Outside, the sun is still shining, but it has gotten significantly hotter than earlier today. I get inside of our car and start the engineer. Since I don't remember the exact way to Alex's house, I make sure to type in his address to Google Maps.

On my way, I pass a lot of different buildings. The closer I get the bigger the houses get. I follow the directions until I'm at his house.

I make my way up to his front door with his clothes in my hand and I ring the doorbell. After a minute, he opens the door.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite redhead," He says with a smirk.

I raise an eyebrow at him. "Hello to you too."

I hold up the clothes that in my hands.

"I came to return these."

He tilts his head. "And here I thought that you missed me."

I roll my eyes but can't help but smile a little. He takes the clothes out of my hands and throws them on the floor behind him.

We stand there and silence fills the air.

Until I suddenly blurt out: "Do you want to do something?"

He looks at me with surprise written all over his face.

Oh no I shouldn't have said anything.

Just as I'm about to take back my offer a smile starts to form on his lips.

"If you insist."

I smile a little at his response but I'm also relieved. I put my hands in my pockets and think about what I should say.

"So what do you want to do?"

He shifts his posture before answering me.

"You tell me since you asked."

"Um... "

What should I say? Suddenly my head feels blank.

He looks over my shoulder.

"You have a car?"

I turn around to look at the car. It's not very fancy, but it works.

"Yeah, it's my dad's actually, but he doesn't use it that often."

I turn back to him to see him examine the car. His gaze finally returns to me.

"What if we just drive and see where we end up?" he suggests.

"Sure," I tell him. "Seems like a good idea."

It looks like this day isn't going to be so bad after all.

~

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