Holding Onto You

Ch. 17

Demi's pov

*3 weeks later*

The only thing to have improved is Maya's physical condition. Our relationship hasn't improved the slightest bit. Nor has her relationship with her father. Even Ava has seem to drift more than usual within the past three weeks. I know Ava is more independent but this is just beyond normal for even her. It's becoming harder to think that the girl's aren't doing this intentionally or together.

I overlook the kids at the island bar as I rinse off the pile of dishes in the sink, "Maya can we play GTA on your account later on?" I hear Emilio ask.

"Yeah, whats wrong with your xbox?" Maya asks.

"I may or may have not been banned for bullying a 12 year old again."

Maya laughs, "What did you say?"

"Oh my god you're so stupid. Bro what are you doing? You're shit at this game."

"Honesty is the best policy, that's my motto. That's still nicer than what I've said and got banned for." Maya says.

"Didn't you get banned for quoting nicki minaj once?" Ava asks.

"Yeah I said stupid fucking dinosaur and he got offended and thought I was calling him a stupid fucking dinosaur and reported me. These children get too butt hurt. They are too soft. I don't even understand. They think they are mature enough to play a rated M game and then when you hurt their feelings, they report you. So what I started doing is reporting anyone underage. That way if they report me, I get them banned for being underage." I say.

"Smart, I'm going to start doing that. I put in mom's birthday on my account. Try and ban me xbox, I dare you."

"Does it kill you two to be nice on there?" Ava asks.

"Yes, very much."

Do I like hearing that my kids bully other people on the this xbox stuff? No. Not even the slightest bit. But I don't want to cause them to stop talking in front of me so I remain silent about it. For now at least.

I set a few rinsed plates in the dishwasher as I look up to see Maya showing Ava her phone causing Maya to laugh, "Truth."

"Us."

I feel arms on my thighs and I look down to see Bella holding her arms up wanting to be held, "I've got ya." I say picking her up.

"Can I still go to Jacob's house?" Ava asks.

I turn my head to see her looking back down at her phone, "If you cleaned your room like your father asked you too, then yes."

She looks up at me, "It's not even messy and no one else is going in my room. Why do I need to clean it? I have a few water bottles on my nightstand and that's it. Are you seriously going to make me clean that up? I can do that before I go to bed."

I move Bella onto my hip resulting in her hiding her head in my shoulder as I place my hand on her back, "I'm not going to go against what your dad asked you to do. If he asked you to clean your room, then just clean it. You can go to Jacobs right after, we aren't saying no."

"Bro that's so stupid. My rooms literally not even messy. I have maybe three water bottles on my nightstand and that's it. I really don't think either of you have room to tell me to clean my room when yours is messier than mine is. You've literally got bottles all over it, Bella's toys all over the floor, and baby clothes that haven't even been put up yet." She argues.

"Don't forget about the bathroom Ava." Maya says looking down at her own phone.

"Don't forget about who pays both your phone bills either. Keep going and I'll turn the wifi off and you won't go to Jacobs for a while. Keep going Maya and you won't have and friends over for a while. Clean the room and be respectful." I snap.