Ethereal

5

Hira

I sat quietly at my desk in my room. I was having a hard time concentrating on my work.

I kept thinking back to what happened at school with Luca. 

"I owe him" I mumbled to myself as I doodled on my piece of paper. 

I wonder what he's going to make me do. 

My eyes widened.

WHAT IF HE MAKES ME DO SOMETHING SEXUAL?! HE WON'T RIGHT?!

I shook my head and covered my face with my hands. 

Stop it Hira, he's probably just going to ask you to get him food or something .

My phone buzzed and I jumped up and grabbed my phone.

I rolled my eyes when I saw who messaged me.

Oh, it's just Aaron.

I tossed my phone to the side again, sighing.

There was a soft knock on my bedroom door.

"Come in" I replied. 

The door opened and the maid, Hillary, came in. 

"Miss, your father has requested for you to join him in the dining hall" Hillary said, softly.

I held back the urge to roll my eyes and smiled softly in return. 

"Alright" I said, getting up and following her.

He can't even get me to come eat dinner with me himself huh.

My father and I have always had a bad relationship. It wasn't one where we fought a lot but one where we just didn't really have a loving daughter-father relationship. I never understood why Mom stayed with my dad, she was kind and beautiful whereas he was a coldhearted jackass. 

Mom deserved better than him. Not only did he repeatedly cheat on her, he also went on prolonged 'business trips' leaving my mom and I alone in this mansion. 

When Mom passed away last year, it seemed like Dad didn't even care. I felt angry about how he didn't even bat an eye but once again, I stayed silent.

I walked into the dining room to see Dad and a young woman sitting there, chatting. 

"Sir, your daughter is here" Hillary said.

The two looked over at me. "Alright thank you, you are dismissed Hillary" Dad said, making a dismissive hand movement.

Hillary bowed slightly and left.

"Couldn't you have worn something else?" Dad asked with slight irritation as he looked at me.

I didn't say anything and sat down at the seat across from the woman.

"Who is she?" I asked, eyeing the woman

"I'm Giselle Harvegreens" the woman said, smiling at me. 

"She is to be living with us from now on" Dad said.

I raised my eyebrow and looked at Dad. 

"Is she your girlfriend?" I asked.

"My fiancée" Dad replied.

I clenched my hand under the table and didn't say anything.

Not only has it been a year since Mom passed, you also never told me about this!

"You seem absolutely lovely, I look forward to us getting closer!" Giselle said, grabbing my hand that was on the table. 

I felt bad for Giselle, though she did seem nice she deserved better than Dad.

I pulled my hand back and got up.

"Excuse me, I have some school work to do" I said.

"Sit down Hira, you're being rude" Dad said, glaring at me.

I looked at him coldly. "She seems nice, enjoy your dinner" I said, before turning and leaving. 

"Get back here Hira!" he yelled. 

I ignored him and left, quickly walking back towards my room.

"Miss! What about dinner?" Hillary said, scurrying after me.

"Just bring it to my room later" I replied, not looking back.

I miss Mom.

I ran into my room, closing the door and slid to the floor. 

My heart was pounding and tears pricked my eyes.

I took deep breaths.

Calm down Hira, you've always known your father is an asshole.

I calmed down and sat there quietly for a bit.

My phone buzzed again.

I got up and walked over to my desk and picked up my phone. 

I had texts from Aaron and a few messages from the groupchat I'm in with my cheerleading team.

No texts from Luca still. Maybe he wasn't being serious about owing him.

I opened the groupchat first.

GROUP NAME: BAD BITCHES ONLY

Quinn: party at my place this Saturday y'all are obviously invited!!

Gia: HELL YEAH! 

Zoe: What's the occasion?

Quinn: do I need an occasion to throw one?? girl my parents are out of town that's all

Claire: omg love that

Leah: Jennie and I are coming!

I sighed. I guess I should say I'm coming. 

Me: I'll come 

I closed the chat and opened Aaron's texts. 

Aaron: Yo, you going to Quinn's party??

Me: yea

My phone buzzed right away.

Aaron: wanna go together?? 

I stared at my phone contemplating. He's just saying he'll give me a ride, he doesn't mean anything by it.

Me: why

Aaron: just bc. 

I rolled my eyes.

Me: fine

Aaron: sweet. I'll pick you up.

I didn't reply and my phone buzzed again and it was the groupchat.

GROUP NAME: BAD BITCHES ONLY

Claire: Gia, Hira, need a ride?

Gia: yes pls ;)

Me: I'm good, getting a ride from someone else

Jennie: ooh who?

Me: a friend.

Tyrone: didn't know Hira had friends besides us lolol 

I turned off my phone and threw my phone onto my bed. Tyrone is the only other guy cheerleader on the team, and the only team member who I don't like. He always acts as if he and I are close when in reality we've spoken like maybe twice. 

I sighed and looked out my window, staring up at the sky.

Mom are you watching? Why did you leave me alone?

~~

Song: Daddy Issues by The Neighbourhood 

(Slowed + Reverb)-- Aesthetic Zora