Milly's Wrath

{Part Twenty-Two}

Tired wasn't a big enough word to describe my exhaustion throughout the first four hours of school. No, it was minimal to compare to my level of sleep deprivation. Still, I wouldn't trade in any time I got to speak to Anthony, especially not with him moving so far away. I'm still not over that, and I don't think I ever will get over it.

So, now we were all at the lunch table, goofing around, when Kimbrea made the one comment to completely change the atmosphere.

"I am so happy London isn't here." Brea spoke; ignoring my glances to stop- she continued speaking. "I did not feel like breaking up anything between these two."

Everyone else laughed, except Anthony. I'm guessing everyone else assumed she was making a reference to the part two weeks ago, but Anthony knew better. Really, they should have too. Kimbrea never referenced old stuff, and she wasn't even one to bring up topics from weeks ago. Three days was always her talk limit, and one it expanded form that time she was done with the issue. I knew that from hanging around her too often. Sadly, Anthony knew her longer than me and knew that too.

Without words, both of us excused ourselves from the table. Exiting the cafeteria, I let him lead me to a quiet area as I tried to put together what I would and wouldn't tell him. I already knew what his string of questions. Already having my plan in mind, I was ready for whatever he threw my way as we stopped by the abandoned music room. He opened the door, letting me in first.

"Why does it seem everyone else always knows more about my girlfriend than me?" He asked.

I shrugged, climbing and sitting on a desk. "They don't."

"Then why don't I know about you and London having another altercation."

"I didn't feel it was so important."

"It wasn't important to know she tried to push you down the stairs?" I raised an arched brow, wondering how he knew that. As far as I knew, Kimbrea was the only other person to know of that situation. "People talk a lot in this school. And before you go assuming something, Kimbrea didn't' run her mouth. London did apparently. I just found out last period." I sighed. "What is it she's so pissed at you over? Did y'all know each other before?"

I sighed again, finding this so much more difficult than I intended for it to be. Though I wasn't lying to him, he deserved to know so much more than what I was telling. But I didn't want to weave him in this web I spun. I didn't want to bring anyone in it. I didn't even want to be in it!

"I did some things in my past, that I shouldn't have did. The Autumn you know is the new me. I was...out of control. I did stuff just to do it, and I hung around people I shouldn't have even dealt with...and apparently, it's coming back up." I swallowed hard, the thought of someone shooting me like they did Xavier coming in my mind. "It's nothing anything too bad...but London put herself into a situation she doesn't need to be in, just like I put myself in one I didn't need to be in."

Though, as far as I'm willing to think, London is more critical to the situation than anyone. I mean, the girl was her sister. It hurt me seeing Antony in the hospital hooked up to machines; I can only imagine what it was like seeing your sister hooked up to them.

"Did you rob someone?" Anthony asked.

"...No, but I was around some people who did. I never participated."

"Kill someone?"

"I may be a fighter, but I'm not a killer. I couldn't live with the guilt."

"Then what can she possibly hold this big of a grudge over?"

I swallowed hard, not wanting to tell him, but knowing I should. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breathe. I kept them closed as I told him what he needed to know.

"Months ago, almost a year, my old friend had her hair cut off by a group of girls. She wanted to fight the girl, but she didn't want to go along so I and another friend went with her. At the fight, London's sister attacked me from behind, but I didn't know that was her sister. I didn't know how bad I beat her, but it had to be bad because...she was in the hospital for weeks. I didn't mean to almost kill her, but that was me then. I took my anger out through fighting, and I would black out and not even be able to stop myself....After seeing her at the party, I regret it, but...apologizing doesn't seem to be an option." I conveniently left out the shooting part, deciding it was best her knew none of that. Mainly because it had no direct connection to me.

"Apologizing is always an option." He walked between my legs, taking both of my hands in his. "The worst someone can do is not accept it, but at least they know, and you know, you regret what you did. An apology might not fix this situation, but it's a good start."

"How do you always know what to say?" I put my forehead on his.

He shrugged. "Because I'm obviously wiser than you." He laughed as I playfully punched his chest. "

"Way to ruin a moment." The bell rung, interrupting another of our moments. "Do we have to go to class?"

"Yes, because my brother said if I get another detention he's setting my curfew back."

I laughed, getting off the desk and intertwining our hands. "My parents didn't find out."

"Until I tell them."

"You would never."

"Try me." He pecked my lips before we had to rejoin the others.

Nothing else very eventful happened that day. At practice we all pretty much goofed around since we would be leaving extra early in the morning. I mean, seriously early. Our flight was scheduled to leave at six, meaning we had to leave at four. Then we would be at the hotel by 8:30, check in at nine, breakfast at ten, and get ready for Day One of the competition. If it was up to me, we would have left today to have a chance and relax, but they weren't excusing us for an extra day of class. We have Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday off and then we have to come back Friday. It's a bogus set-up.

Anthony stayed with me through practice, but afterwards he dropped me off at the shop where Rick would be. He said he would change whatever today, so it could be ready to drive by Friday. He was tired of chauffeuring me around all break. So, I stayed with him in the shop, questioning about every little thing about the car. He would ask me to hand him a tool, and then laugh when he had to explain what the tool was to me. Like I was really supposed to know!

But yes, I learned the big thing in the middle is the engine, and the transmission is UNDER the car. I learned were the fuel pump was and what the anti-freeze thingie is. I learned a bunch of other stuff too, because I had a lot of questions, but as soon as he answered them I forgot what they were.

It made me wonder about if my Dad was in my life. Would I know these things already? Would I have a car by now? Would I even car to have a car, or know what these things were? Of course, with those questions came questions about my Mom too. Maybe she was the car expert, and maybe she would be the one to teach me how one works.

But I had to push those questions to the back of my mind. My parents weren't in my life, and it was probably by their own choices. My life is probably better now with parents who actually want me, rather than parents who don't care about me. I had to leave with the fact, that only a select few people in this world really give a fuck about me. And none of them are blood, or even close to it.

"Okay," Rick said, shutting the hood the car. "Turn the key in the ignition so we can hear how it runs." I did as he said, not noticing anything different form the other ten times he made me to it after fixing whatever needed to be fixed. "Like a baby." He walked to the driver's door, wiping his hands on a towel, as I got out of the car. "So you can drive this back while I drive my car. Nicole should have dinner ready, and then we can pack."

I nodded my head, wrapping my arms around him in a big hug. It wasn't long until I felt him returning the hug.

"Thanks, Dad." I felt his body slowly tense, but quickly relax as he told me it was no problem. I wondered for a second if I shouldn't have said that, but quickly brushed it off. In the last eighteen years of my life, he's the only Dad I really know. And it warmed to know, even if he didn't say it, I was the only daughter he ever knew.

~~~

I'm back! And this story is finished in Word so expect updates every Friday starting this week! Make sure to comment, vote, fan, share, all that good stuff!