the bookworm's alpha

chapter 16

         My phone started going off.

"Oh, umm," I breathed out, checking who was calling me. "Excuse me for a moment."

It's papa.

I walked out of the store,

"Hi, Papa," I said, answering the call.

"Hey, baby girl," he responded. "How's everything going?"

"It's going okay..." I mumbled.

I still haven't told him about mom stopping by. I'm not sure to word it.

"Where are you?" he asked. "It's noisy, and I know you're not one to be at a party."

"I'm at the mall with some classmates, papa," I responded.

"Really?" he hummed. "That's good that you're starting to make friends at this school. Well, I'll call you again later, I've got some more work to do. I just wanted to check up on you."

"Don't overwork yourself, papa," I said. "I love you, bye."

"I love you too, baby girl," he said. "Bye."

I sighed.

I really should tell him about mom stoping by.

Why can't I find the words to tell him?

I shook my head before walking back into the store.

Now I need to figure out where Tailor and Tabby are...

        "So who was it?" Tailor asked.

"My papa," I answered. "He had a short break from work so he decided to check-in."

"You look upset," Tabby murmured. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," I said. "I'd, uh, id rather not talk about it right now if you don't mind."

"Alright." Tabby nodded.

"What do you think about this skirt?" Tailor asked holding up a skirt to show me.

It's a simple black skirt with a lacing overlay.

"I won't know until I try it on, right?" I shrugged.

"Good point," she mumbled. "We'll have you try on different styles of skirts to see which one you like the best."

"Alright." I nodded.

It's a good thing that it's a Friday. I have a feeling this is going to take a while.

I started to sift through the skirts with them.

"What about this one?" I asked, pulling one out.

It's a simple black skirt (I think) with three silver-colored buttons on each side where pockets would normally be placed. It has no pockets which is upsetting.

"Oh! Oh! Oh!" Tailor gasped. "It's perfect! I saw a shirt that would go perfectly with it too!"

I guess I found a good one.

"It has roses on it," she said excitedly. "I'll go get it so you can try both on at the same time."

Oh, the black crop top with the flowers, a high neck, and spaghetti straps?

"And I'll look for other skirts for her to practice in." Tabby nodded.

"I, uh, I guess I'll help her look," I mumbled.

Even though I'm still unsure as to what I'm looking for.

        "How did I let them talk me into this?" I sighed, holding up one of the skirts.

I'm so used to just dressing in a way that does not bring any attention to me. This, this is completely out of my comfort zone.

I'm not sure I can do this.

"How am I going to do this?" I asked myself quietly.

I'm not like the heroines in my books. I'm not confident, I'm not brave, I'm not any of that stuff. I'm just not.

Someone's knocking... I'm not expecting anyone today. I wonder who it could be.

I walked over to the door, checking what I'm wearing to make sure it's decent.

I'm wearing black sweat pants and a red sweatshirt.

I looked through the peephole. I'm still not sure who it is.

Should I even answer the door? It's probably not safe for me to do so, being home by myself.

Hopefully, they'll leave after a little while.

I wonder why they're here. Maybe they're at the wrong house or are looking for the person who lived here before my papa and me?

It doesn't matter anyway, I need to get started on my homework so I'm physically prepared for Monday.

I don't think I'm going to be mentally prepared for Monday though.