I hadn't seen Toby since Mona's body was found. That night after leaving Hannah's I had tried to call him but got no answer. He texted me back after a bit, telling me that Tanner had called him in. Since then, I had barely seen him. Tanner had been making him do small tasks that occupied him all day and night but were meaningless. Therefore, almost a week later I still hadn't seen him. Regardless, there wasn't much to say to each other. Toby was still angry at me for everything and his annoyance is still clear even days after Mona's passing. I hear a noise downstairs, the sound of dishes rattling and door closes pulls me out of my weak attempt at studying. Part of me wishes it's Toby, coming over to check in on me or maybe even to resolve the growing tension between us. My hope is shattered at the sound of heels clicking on the tile floor of the kitchen. I sigh, closing my AP history textbook and begin to head downstairs to face my parents. My dad is leaning across the island, facing the stairs. His gaze moves up to me as I descend the stairs, his dark brown eyes narrow at me; The scowl evident on his face as he sees me. He was about to say something to me when my mom walks back into the room, staring down at papers in her hands from my dads office.
"Oh Hi Honey," She tells me, placing the papers on the island and turning to see me.
"Hey, what are you guys doing here, I thought you were with Melissa in London," I ask them, folding my arms over my stomach despite the fact that I was wearing one of Toby's larger sweaters I still feared they'd see the growing bump under my stomach.
"With everything going on here, We'd figure we should come back early," My mom responds to me. "Your sister sends your life," She continues on, moving to her leather brief case that sat upon one of the island stools and pulling out some documents.
"Figured that somehow you had something to do with Mona's death," My dad responds. His voice rumbles in his chest, and the once voice that brought comfort is gone and replaced with anger.
"Peter," My mom scolds lightly, although it holds no weight. "Don't mind him, he is tired from the flight. "
"Don't be ignorant Veronica, we both know that there is going to be some link some how," he continues. I was shocked to see his wicked tongue direct towards her. Maybe he was showing his true colours to not just me, but to others in my family. Perhaps the resentment was to more than just me.
"How was Christmas hun," My mom asks, attempting to smooth over the tension that was growing between the family. She turns from her brief case, her eyes obviously tired and it was clear that whatever they had to do in London was not for vacation but due to Melissa's drama.
"The girls and I had a Christmas here, it was nice." I start, my mom gives a tight smile but it doesn't reach her eyes. It was obvious she was exhausted and stressed.
"Oh great the perfect alibi," My dad says shaking his head and letting it fall between his shoulders. They were tense, his rigid body was full of stress and annoyance.
"The boys were here too," I continue. I hear my dad sigh as he brings his head up and rolls his head. "What? I snap at him. That seems to get his attention, his eyes brows furring as he stares up at me.
"You know how I feel about him, ever since you've been with him your defiant and always getting in more trouble," He chastises me in a condesending tone that regardless of the topic makes you feel like an idiot.
"You make him seem like a deadbeat villain, he works two jobs" I respond to him.
"He is a villain unless you forgot, he went to juvie for assaulting his sister," He counters back. His words are loaded and make it seem like he knows the whole story of the Jenna thing.
"Spencer stops, it's been a long fight and the last thing I want to deal with is more drama," my mom chimes in, hoping to settle the tension before it gets even more out of hand.
