“Why not?!” He exclaimed, running after me as I raced up the stairs, towards my father’s office.
“Oh I don’t know. A little meeting you had with Logan to discuss...Now what was it. Oh yeah, who had me and who didn’t!” I yelled stopping at the top of the staircase. We were only a couple of feet from my father’s office, and I didn’t want him to hear this argument.
“Oh...That,” he muttered, ducking his head and ruffling his hair. Like he usual did when he knew he had been caught out.
“Yes that. What were you playing at Josh? I’m not yours...”
“So you’re his then?”
“What! I’m not anybody’s. Bloody hell!” Letting about a loud frustrated sigh, I walk back half way down the stairs. He followed and smiled at me trying to deflate my anger and frustration. It wasn’t working. Why did I have to belong to anyone, I was my own person. The vibration in my pocket made me curse under my breath, and I pulled out the phone.
What happened to you?
Logan texted. I had almost forgotten about leaving him.
“I guess that’s him then,” He snarled, taking the phone from my hand with harsh force.
“That’s nothing to do with you Josh,” I yelled, taking it back and placing it back in my pocket.
“You’re so naive!” He yelled.
“You know what Josh. You don’t get to make my decisions for me. You are my best friend, but you’re not my decision maker. So what If I Like Logan because Josh I do. That’s my problem, not yours!” I exclaimed.
Did I just say I like Logan, Yes I do believe I just did. Apparently voicing it was a lot easier than working it out in my head. Punching the wall with his fists, he glared at me for a second before controlling himself.
“I don’t have time for this Josh.” Walking past him on the stairs, he grabbed my arm loosely pulling me to a stop.
“What!” I sighed taking his hand from my arm.
“He will hurt you! I don’t trust him, and I know that he is somehow connected to this thing with Lorias!” He growled.
“That’s my mistake to make. I trust him, I don’t know why and I know there are so many reasons telling me I shouldn’t...”
“Then why don’t you listen to them”
“Because...”
Yes, I really knew how to answer that, not. I didn’t know the reason why I was ignoring all signs to stay away from him. Signs that pointed towards him knowing more about Lorias than he was letting on. I know that I shouldn’t be doing what I am doing but why do people apart from Alex, keep insisted on telling me that I was doing the wrong thing. The word Naive was cropping up a lot to. I was a lot of things, but naive was not one of them.
“You’re not fooling anyone not even you,” He sighed.
If he says what I think he is about to say, I think I may scream.
“Elle I’m asking you for the sake of our friendship, don’t see him again.”
There it was, the old friendship plea. He knew he had a hold on me with that statement. I was always putty in their hands when Alex and Josh said that to me. They knew they were two of the most important people in my life, and I would do anything to keep them. Usually it wasn’t used on big things, but this, this was something new. The tense look in his eyes made me consider what I was going to say next. He was one of my best friends, I’d known him forever, and my attraction to Logan wasn’t as strong as that bond.
“Josh...”
“I’m serious Elle. It’s him or me?”
“What! This isn’t a movie Josh. This is real life, you can’t give me ultimatums like that.”
“I just did,” He replied scrunching the lines on his forehead as he crinkled his nose. He was serious, and he wasn’t one to let things go when he was that sure of his decision.
“Fine!” I sighed. “I won’t see him again! But you can’t use that again for another year.”
“Fine,” He chuckled, lightening his facial expressions as he gave me a hug.
I didn’t feel like giving him a hug, but for the sake of not starting another argument, I patted his back. A frown crept onto my face before Josh could see it, I replaced it with the familiar fake smile I had learnt over the years to master.
“I have to go... See my father about something. I’ll catch you later,” I fake smiled at him and walked back up the stairs. He grinned widely at me as he said goodbye and marched off into the opposite direction.
This was ridiculous how can one boy strike up so much mayhem in my life. It doesn’t matter now though, I’ve promised Josh I wouldn’t see Logan again and I couldn’t break that promise. No matter how much it hurts me. I suppose I’d better to text him. I can’t leave him not knowing what’s going on.
I can’t see you anymore, it’s too much stress. I’m sorry, I really am.
Pushing my side fringe off my face. I felt disorientated and defeated. I give up on trying to find something that makes me happy. The moment I feel like I have something to take my mind off this chaos inside my head. It gets taken away from me and replaced with more chaos. I’m so drained right now, it would be a good time to go see what my fate is with my father.
Knocking on the office door, he called for me to enter. Why did that sound fill my whole body with complete dread.
“Hey Dad,” I called, stepping into the warm office.
He sat at his desk with papers surrounding him with his serious work expression on his face. Of course, I came at the worst time ever. This wouldn’t help my cause at all.
“Take a seat Adabelle,” He gestured for me to sit in my usual seat, in front of his desk. Not once looking up from the paper he was reading, he grunted as I sat down.
“I see you came back then,” He muttered, from behind his paper.
“Yes,” I replied. Glancing around the big office, I smiled as I saw my grandfather’s head stood proudly next to my father’s reading chair. It didn’t seem to have his spirit in as it stood motionless.
“What are you looking at?” He asked, putting the paper down on his desk and removing his glasses.
“Nothing,” I smiled weakly. The awkward silence continued for a couple of seconds, as he stared disapprovingly at me. Staring idly around the room to look anywhere other than his analysing look, I sighed. This was pure torture. I wish he would just say something, anything.
“I’m disappoint in you Elle.”
Anything but that. Why did that make the whole world crash down on top of me.
“I don’t know who you are anymore,” He continued.
That’s it continue making me feel like a huge disappointment.
“You are not my little girl anymore. You are out going to parties when I asked you to stay home, and then I see you with a demon,” He sighed.
“Maybe this was a mistake, tempting fate. I should have never brought you to the coming together feast. It’s my fault you can’t resist your dark side!”
“Dad...” I whispered, tears forming into my eyes. I couldn’t handle another word of disappointment.
“Katelyn told me I should keep you away from them. Said that I was calling to your dark side. I should have listened to her. You weren’t ready to meet Logan. I knew he would corrupt you!”
So I was being corrupted now. Well that was a new one. Looking at the floor I couldn’t stop a tear falling from my eyes onto the dark blue carpet. Wiping my eyes, I looked back up to my father as he sat with his hands over his eyes.
“He hasn’t corrupted me...”
“Right... You are becoming so naïve.”
“I AM NOT NAIVE!” I yelled. “I wish people would stop saying that.”
“Don’t you dare talk to me like that. You are already in enough trouble.”
Oh my days, how could I possibly begin to get my point across when he wouldn’t listen to me. I can’t be bothered to fight against his disappointment anymore. I might as well just sit here and take it.
“I think it will be best if you stay here for a while and that’s an order Elle!”
<
br /> “Ok.” I replied.
“What no comeback?”
“No,” I replied. It would be pointless anyway. He would just make me more upset by putting me down.
“Do you have anything to say to me?” He asked strongly.
“I’m sorry for being such a big disappointment, and for being easily corrupted,” I sighed, pursing my lips together to stop them from quivering.
“Don’t start Adabelle with the hurt look. You bring this on yourself. Maybe you should try making better decisions with your life,” He exclaimed.
“I was just...”
“I know what you were just, doing. Now go before I change my mind about forgiving you.”
Standing up I made my way to the door with tears in my eyes.
“Sorry again,” I sighed as I closed the door behind me.
Running down the stairs, I ran as fast as I could. The running stopped the tears from rushing from my eyes. I didn’t want to cry, it was stupid to cry about this. So what he was disappointed in me. A lot of people were disappointed in me. Everyone thought I was naive and stupid but why did he. He was father, he should be there to support me. Console me when I made mistakes and hold my hand when my heart was broken. I never thought he would ever make me feel this low about myself. Emotions washed over me as I reached the stables. Making it to the inside of Peggy’s pen, I collapsed onto the hay covered floor. Tears flowed freely down my face as Peggy nudged me with her muzzle.
“Elle? Oh my god! Elle are you alright!” Alex cried, throwing her arms around me. My tears soaked her shoulder before I could speak through my uncontrollable sobs.
“I’m useless Alex. Why do I even bother?” I sobbed.
“Don’t be silly Elle. You’re not useless? What happened?” She asked, pulling out of the hug and sitting down next to me. Keeping her arm firmly attached to my shoulders.
“I can’t do this anymore Alex,” I cried.
Consoling me, Alex rocked me as I continued to cry on her shoulder. This was it, I was physically and emotionally breaking down in the arms of my best friend. If this wasn’t a picture perfect moment, I don’t know what was.
“First Josh has made me promise not to see Logan again and then my father tells me I’m a disappointment. Oh and that I’m being corrupted by Logan. Not to miss out, that he doesn’t know who I am anymore,” I sobbed.
“That’s out of order! On both of their parts.”
“I know, but they are right!” I stuttered.
“Stop being stupid!” She exclaimed.
“How does my father expect me to believe in myself so I can... I don’t know, defeat Lorias or whatever I’m exactly supposed to do with that situation. If he doesn’t even think I can handle being with a demon. Out of fear I’ll be corrupted?” I asked. Lifting myself out of the hold of Alex, I tried to compose myself. Wiping the tears from my cheeks with the back of my hand, I tried to stop the last remaining tears that were falling.
“It doesn’t matter if he doesn’t believe in you Elle because I do ok. Whatever happens, I know you will be strong enough to overcome it.” She smiled, standing up and brushing the stray hay off her black skirt.
“Come on. Let’s go cheer you up with a tub of Ben and Jerry’s.”
Helping me from the floor, she smiled at me and gave me a huge hug. A tub of Ben and Jerry sounds like the best idea ever right now. Linking her arm in mine, she led me out of the Stables off to the kitchen.
Chapter Twenty one
Jingle all the way chimed on for the one hundredth time, as I sat picking at the remaining sausage on a stick. It’s incredible how so many people could talk about the same topic, over and over again and still not be done with it. How festive is talking about a building being torn down anyway. Parties are a time for celebrating and rejoicing in the festive time of year. Not for blaming the council for tearing down a un important landmark. I was almost regretting the fact my father had allowed me to come to this event. Even if it did take a couple of day’s worth of sulking before he asked what was wrong. Ever since our brief meeting three weeks ago, we hadn’t spoken much. On my part, it was out of fear he would continue to put me down. If it wasn’t for Alex and my grandfather who I had since recently finding him out, been talking to, I wouldn’t even be able to get out of bed in the morning.
“That man from number sixteen is hilarious!” Poppy giggled, as she sat down beside me on the couch.
“I’m sure he is,” I mumbled, tearing up the sausage in my hands.
“What is up with you? We don’t see you for three weeks and now I’m here at Beth’s annual Christmas party, and you look like we are at a funeral.”
“Nothing,” I smiled weakly. “So why is Mr Stanley funny?”
Placing the destroyed sausage back on my paper plate, I threw it onto the buffet table.
“He just did this thing...With his...Hat,” She giggled uncontrollably.
“That sounds funny,” I sighed, running my hand through my fringe. It didn’t sound funny. It sounded like Mr Stanley was doing his usual rolling his hat down his arm and flicking it back onto his balding head. I always thought it was an annoying way to get people’s attention. Poppy obviously thought otherwise, and it caught her attention, so I suppose it did work.
“Wow you really are on a low tonight!” She giggled pulling at the corners of my mouth, she turned my expression into a smile. Despite her efforts, it dropped back to a frown when her fingers let go.
“Ok then...” She sighed. Leaning over me she pulled out a breadstick and began to nipple on it. Well done Elle, you have now made a situation awkward.
“Sorry, I’m having a little trouble with my family,” I sighed.
“What Beth?” She asked pointing to Beth and Robin, who were chatting happily with Mrs Bennett from next door. Oh yes Mrs Bennett, the woman who repeatedly wanders in and out of our house at her will. It wouldn’t be that bad if she came in when she was invited, but alas she came in when she wanted. Not a good thing to do when you have someone like me living next door. I can’t possibly count the number of times, she had nearly walked in on me orbing in or out. One of these days she will see me and maybe suffer a mini heart attack in the process.
“No, things with the Bales are fine. Better actually,” I replied. That wasn’t a Lie. Robin and I were getting on very well since she had started her Greek mythology course at college. I helped her when she was struggling. Being very well educated in the mythical creature area, I was better than a research book. As I have learned, books don’t tend to tell you the truth anymore. They just sugar coat or dance around the cold hard facts.
“Oh that’s good right? So are you having a problem with your real family? Your father and Chris?”
“Well Poppy for once you have hit the nail right on the head,” I sighed again, leaning my elbow on the table at the side of me. My father was the one I was having problems with and even though Logan, also known as Chris wasn’t family. He was driving me insane. Gradually slowing down to just two texts a day, he wasn’t giving up on contacting me. Lucky for me, my protection squad had doubled to four men on my guard all the time. Glancing to the right of me, I saw rugged Dwayne standing on the street opposite the house. The request for them to not be seen by the Bales or their neighbours, had apparently fallen on death ears.
“Family are messed up Elle. I should know that,” she mumbled, through the crumbs of breadsticks in her mouth.
“Shit. Yeah, sorry Poppy how is the divorce?” I asked. Through all of my own drama, I had forgotten about what Poppy was going through. Having lived with her mother and father all her life, she was struggling to cope with the fact that they were splitting up. I wish I could wake up, and the only drama I had going on was the divorce of my parents. Then at least I would have known my parents when they were together. Well don’t I sound pathetic. Elle stop thinking about the bad things in your life.
“It’s ok I guess. My dad is fighting for custody of me, Ollie and Pippa...”
“Is tha
t bad?” I asked. I knew she had the same relationship with her Dad that I had, and she wasn’t exactly close to her mother either.
“No, it’s great, it’s just... I don’t want to upset my mum, but you know what It’s a party. Let’s go mingle,” She smiled. Pulling me by the hand, she dragged me through the crowd of middle aged men and women and into the kitchen.
Standing in the Kitchen Marc and his best friend Piers, were sneaking alcoholic drinks from the fridge.
“Aren’t you guys a little too young to be drinking?” Poppy asked, taking the bottle of beer out of Marc’s hand and placing it back in the fridge.
“Party pooper!” He sighed, leaving the kitchen with Piers in tow. Towering miles above Marc, Piers practically had to duck under the light in the kitchen to leave the room.
“Hello Girls,” Chimed Betty Hawks as she entered the kitchen through the back door. Her curly grey hair was windswept as she made her way over to the kitchen table.
“Hey Betty,” we both called as we leant against the kitchen counter tops.
“My, aren’t you girls getting big. You look all grown up in your lovely dresses.” She smiled.
Glancing down at the blue spotty ruffle dress I had on, I smiled back at her. Lifting the glasses that were hanging on a string around her neck she put then on her nose.
“Poppy look at you, your hair is lovely what do they call that...”
“Oh it’s a fish plait. It’s all the rage these days.” Tugging on the blonde plait that lay on her shoulder, she smiled sweetly at Betty.
“And you Elle. You look beautiful and are growing up to be a lovely young lady, so I hear from you mother.”
Beth has been saying good things about me. That make me feel a lot better about myself. Who would have thought my fake family cared about me more than my real one. I’m sure there’s some irony in there somewhere.
“Thanks,” I replied.
“Girls why don’t you join us in the living room. There are some people who want to speak to you Elle,” asked Bruce as he ushered us from the kitchen, back into the cluttered living room.
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