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“And thank you for ruining my morning,” she spits out the last part as she walks past me.
The loud slam of the front door echoes around the kitchen. My eyes shift to the small drip of coffee slowly making its way off the counter, and I finally take a deep breath, then exhale and groan because just when I think things are going to be okay, it gets worse.
“Don’t panic. Everything is fine.” I chant, but it’s impossible to stop replaying what happened moments ago. Forcing myself to move toward my room, I pull off my dress that apparently I also spilled coffee on.
If anything positive can come of this, it’s that Skylar is calling our dad to kick me out. See, I knew there was a reason I didn’t fully unpack. As I jerk open my closet, I kneel to open one of my large suitcases and dig around for something to wear.
I grab a floral hippie dress, not caring what I look like anymore. This morning I had fixed myself up, even took the time for makeup and to straighten my hair. But now, after what went down, I just need something comfortable and easy to slip on.
When did I start having such bad luck? I cover my face with my hands and finally let myself digest the fact that Professor Powers is Skylar’s boyfriend.
“Shit.” I shake my head, trying really hard not to see his face staring at me, but that’s not gonna happen. This whole morning will haunt me. Dropping my hands, I march out of the closet and go straight to my nightstand. I grab my phone off the charger, pick up my backpack, and when I start to text for an Uber, my dad’s picture lights up the screen. And this time, I do laugh, or maybe it’s a sob.Whatever, let’s get this over with.Throwing my bag onto Skylar’s white couch, I drop down next to it.
“Hey, Dad,” I say, looking down at my brown lace-up riding boots.
“Alex.” My father’s voice is loud, and he does not sound happy.
I sigh, then say, “I’m assuming you heard from Skylar? In all honesty it’s for the best—”
“Listen to me, young lady,” he cuts me off.
My head throbs, and my heart sinks. This isn’t going my way—I can already tell.
“I just hung up the phone with your sister. Now I have no idea what the hell is going on, and to be honest, I don’t care. I told you I wasn’t paying for two places.”
“Dad, she’s the one kicking me out. You need to understand that this is her, not me. And by the way, she’s not difficult like you warned me. She’s downright vicious.”
“Well, she’s changed her mind. That is, after I informed her I would take the money I send her to pay for a studio for you.”
I almost burst into tears. I have to get out of here.
“Please, rethink this. What if I get a job?”
“Alexandrea, yourjobis school. Do you have any idea what I’m paying for tuition, books, food, rent? All so you can get an excellent education. I’m sorry, sweetheart. You’ll not be getting a job your freshman year. But I’ll tell you what you will be doing. You’ll stop sabotaging your sister’s relationship with her boyfriend. Why would you dump coffee on him?”
“What?” I bolt up. “Wait. What did she tell you?” My face heats again.
“Something about you were staring at her boyfriend, and you dumped coffee on him—”
“Oh my God, that’s not what happened. Not exactly, anyway.” I start to pace. “Please, listen to me. I have really tried this week to be friends with Skylar, but something is wrong with her—”
“Alex. You’re almost nineteen years old. I refuse to play referee between my two grown daughters. Figure this out. Deal with it, and make it right.” There’s a finality to his voice, and I want to throw my phone in frustration. I know my dad. He’s super stubborn, and when he sets his mind on something, there’s no changing it.
“Fine. I understand completely,” I snap. He’s not the only one who’s stubborn. He wants me to deal with things?
Done.
“Hold on one moment, Sara. Please tell them I’ll be right there,” my dad mumbles. “Look, sweetheart.” His voice softens. “I need to go into a meeting. I have all the faith in you. Go take the world by the balls.”
“Absolutely. Don’t you worry about any of this. I’ll take care of everything.” I shake my head. This is it. I’m over trying to be Skylar’s friend. It’s not happening, and I can accept that. My dad wants me to take charge.
Fantastic.
“That’s what I like to hear. And call your mother later on. She’s waiting to hear about your first couple of days.”
I almost start laughing again because I’ve purposely avoided my mom’s phone calls. What am I going to say? I had a life-changing kiss with my professor who happens to be Skylar’s boyfriend? Yeah,no.
“I will. Bye, Dad.” I press End, then instantly start to look up the closest Honda dealership. If I’m not allowed to get a job, then he can fix my car. He wants me to take the world by the balls? Balls it is. Okay, it looks like there’s one on Santa Monica Boulevard, ten minutes away.
