My Dad was an interesting character. I sometimes wondered if he was really crazy, but basically, my grandparents hated him. They were my grandparents from my Mother's side, and the only thing they had to say about my Dad was what an irresponsible adult he was. I’d never gotten the chance to meet my Dad’s parents.
Dad has been fighting with alcohol addiction for years. It hadn't been like that when he married my mom, but when she left after carrying me to full term, it left a hole in my Dad's heart.
Even after sixteen years, he still missed my Mom. He wouldn't admit it to anyone but me, and it pained me that there was nothing I could do to help him. He was in my life when I was younger, but I was mainly in my grandparents’ care.
I got to visit him once in a while, but that slowly changed when his addiction got worse. He went from drinking two bottles of alcohol a day to a whole case, and when he'd get violent, my grandparents deemed him incapable of raising me.
It was only a matter of time.
The one thing I'm sure lead to my Dad drinking more was how similar I looked to my Mom. From the few pictures I carried of her, I was her mini-me and now that I was growing far too fast, I looked almost identical to her now.
With heels, we'd be at the same height, though my figure was just a little curvier than hers. My red locks were a shade brighter, but my eyes were identical, along with my lightly tanned skin.
I had no clue what my mother's background was, but my Dad was Caucasian. Whatever the combo was, it gave me a light tan mix and made it difficult for people to figure out if I was white or native.
My cultural background wasn't a big deal to me. It didn't deny who I was or give me some urge to learn where I came from.
All I wanted was to fit in at school. To learn more about myself and my studies. Not deal with the daily drama and teasing over me being far too accident prone.
If I could even call it that.
Regardless of my questionable ethnicity, I hadn't seen Dad in a while. He tried to show up during holidays, and at least text me once in a blue moon when he remembered he had a daughter, but the distance had really taken a stab at our Father-Daughter bond.
I didn't blame my grandparents for doing what they did, and even with the multiple school mishaps, they still took care of me and were willing to do the walk of shame to the principal's office every time I got in trouble.
They loved me, yes, but it would have been nice to have both my parents here to raise me rather than them.
If my mom was around, maybe she'd be able to figure out what was wrong with me.
Heading to the bathroom, I took a nice cool shower to wake me up. After that, I brushed my teeth and did a quick makeup look. I wasn't super into makeup but enjoyed a bit of a smoky eye look and red lipstick.
If my uniform could have some red to match my hair, eyes, lips, and red heels, that would make the black and white uniform less dull in comparison to my pop of color.
Leaving my lipstick for last, I gathered my single notebook, pencil case, phone, and the latest spells and fashion magazine from my wooden desk and placed it all into my red backpack.
I wasn't one to make notes or even study for long, which left me being called a smart ass. Another quality I'd taken from my mom, who was apparently a genius. I'm talking one-hundred percent, straight A-plus student genius.
My dad was more athletic, which was perfect for me since I took that trait from him and was the fastest runner at any school I attended during track season.
That reminded me of the time I'd been at one school for most of the training period for track and field, only to transfer to the opposite school they were facing in the league championships.
Did my new school use that as an advantage? Of course. Top runner and league champion for the school's first official win. Ah, the few good times where students my age actually praised and acknowledged my existence.
I moved onto the next school during summer break and never got a chance to make some good friends that I thought were interesting. That's why I just stopped trying.
It was disappointing to try and get along with people and then have to become long-distance friends. Those relationships barely lasted that long. No one around here was going to input that much effort into a friendship with the new transfer student.
Putting my bag on my shoulder and looking around my room, I nodded once and glanced down to Cyrus, who was sitting on my foot.
She loved doing that, which was her way of saying 'take me downstairs for food please'. Having her for three days had brightened my life just a little bit.
My grandparents may have forgotten my birthday, but the spots of love Cyrus showed me were enough to make me happy.
Leaning down, I picked her up with ease and made it down the ladder. Heading downstairs, I noticed that grandpa's brown leather coat was gone as were his matching shoes; both items usually rested against the wall near the door.
"Where's Grandpa?" I asked when I entered the kitchen. "Did he go fishing again?"
"Yes, he did," Grandma replied.
"But it's September," I reasoned. "There are barely any fish in the lakes by now."
"Doesn't stop him. You know that," she replied and lowered the plate of pancakes on the dining table. "Don't take too long to eat, I have an important meeting to go to."
"Morning bingo isn't important," I noted but headed to my spot at the table.
"It is when I can win money," Grandma countered.
"Would that money go to fixing the house?" I suggested.
"The house is in perfect condition," she argued.
"Uh huh. I think you forgot about the hole in the roof that I patched up with a metal plate from the basement. I'm sure that came from a broken appliance somewhere in the house. Then add the fact that only my toilet works properly, and the water is cold again," I explained some of the many faults in our old house.
Lowering Cyrus to the floor, she ran to her filled bowls of water and food and began to eat. Pulling out my hair, I hooked my backpack on one side and sat down.
Picking up my fork and knife, I dug right in as Grandma answered.
"Someone will come in this week to check that out, as well as the other things that need to get fixed."
"Why can't we just move somewhere else? This house makes it seem like we're dirt poor. It’s like the Addam's family home. No wonder why I get made fun of all the time."
"Who's bullying you? This is a new school. It's the perfect fresh start, Alice."
"Fresh start of the new girl with the red hair, eyes, and heels. Alright," I commented with the least bit of amusement.
"Alice," Grandma said with a serious tone. "I won't hesitate to go to the school and find out."
"It's fine, Grandma. I can handle it," I vouched. "Don't need you bringing your cane around trying to hit the hot dudes."
"I would do no such thing," she huffed. "And my cane is only for when I'm tired."
"Alright," I replied and focused on my breakfast.
Once I was finished, I pushed my plate to the side to do my usual morning text message check. Turning my body to open my backpack and retrieve my phone, I turned back to see the plate with a red velvet slice of cake and a single candle that was actually lit up.
Glancing over to Grandma who had somehow placed the plate there without me noticing, I smiled back at her gleaming expression and she whispered, "Happy sweet sixteen, Alice."
"Grandma." I looked at her with teary eyes. "I thought you forgot!'
"I couldn't forget the day you were born, Alice. I know we don't do much in terms of celebrations, but this is extra special. Your grandpa is actually in town reserving a nice restaurant for us to have dinner tonight. The three of us. It'll be a nice, luxurious dinner with some bomb dessert."
I snickered at her attempt to use our current age "lingo". "Thanks, Grandma!"
Glancing back down at the candle, I worried about the flame that was already growing in size. "Uh. Can I blow it out now before the whole house catches o
n fire?"
"Make a wish before you do," Grandma urged.
I wanted to huff, but I decided to go along with it. She did get my favorite flavor of cake. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath.
Please let me find a school that accepts me. Not these academies that hate every unique thing about me. Most importantly, let me find some friends. Just one friend...
Letting the air out in a stream of air, the rather large flame took a bit of blowing to put out. It finally did, but I did notice Grandma holding the fire extinguisher as back-up.
That made me giggle. "That would be pretty funny to have on a card or calendar, Grandma."
"I'd be rich if I sold photographs of me posing with this fire extinguisher," she cheered. "But your grandad would never allow it. Got to figure out another career to pursue."
"Back to the bingo drawing board," I teased.
"You can win a lot at Bingo!" she stressed.
"You haven't won in how many years? Ten? Twenty? I swear you've been on a losing streak since I was born," I emphasized.
"I'm working on it.” She blushed at my statement, knowing well it was true. "Finish your cake or you're leaving it behind."
"I can't leave this beauty behind!" I exclaimed. "It gotta be in my belly first."
Staring at the cake, I took a quick picture and looked to Grandma as she picked the other plate that I'd discarded to the side.
"I can wash it."
"Nonsense. It's your birthday. You get a bit of special treatment today." Grandma winked. Staring at her with loving eyes, I whispered, "Thank you, Grandma. For putting up with everything."
She met my gaze and had a smile of her own. "Only two more years and you won't need to deal with school anymore, alright?"
Giving her a bob of my head in reply, I looked back at the cake and sliced a piece with my fork.
She's right. Soon I'll graduate and can find a place willing to accept me. Hopefully they don't play with fire.
ABOUT YUMOYORI WILSON
Yumoyori Wilson is a full-time author who has a “slight” addiction to bubble tea.
She previously was a Pediatric Registered Nurse, working her night shifts away and reading her kindle during her breaks. She decided to take the chance at becoming an author and is now working on multiple projects in various genres, including Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and more.
She lives in Toronto, Ontario and loves to bother her lovely Mother (also known as her Queen). She has many projects and plans for her readers.
~Books by Yumoyori Wilson~
THE STARLIGHT GODS SERIES:
Dark Wish
Tainted Rose
RYDER
Poisonous Dream
DANIEL
Forgotten Fairytale
Forgotten Fairytale 2
PARANORMAL INC SERIES:
Visionary Investigator
Visionary Awakened
HOLIDAY SERIES:
Visionary Christmas
Starlight Christmas
Visionary New Years
EARTHALA SERIES (COMPLETE):
Visionary X Starlight- Chapter One
Visionary X Starlight- Chapter Two
Visionary X Starlight- St. Patrick’s Day
CRIMSON STORM SERIES (COMPLETE):
Taming the Storm
Calming the Storm
Facing the Storm
SOUL DANCER OF HOMATOMASHI SERIES:
The Legend Of Crimson Storm (Coming Soon)
BRIGHTEN MAGIC ACADEMY SERIES (COMPLETE):
Reflections of You
Reflections of Me
Reflections of Us
BRIGHTEN ELITE SERIES:
BRIGHTEN ELITE - YEAR I (Coming Soon)
BLOODY DESIRE SERIES:
Seduce My Blood
Seduce My Heart
Seduce My Soul
Seduce My Love
UNICORN BLESSED CHRONICLES (COMPLETE):
Celestia
Celestia 2
Celestia 3
Celestia 4
Celestia Christmas
FAMILIAR BLESSED CHRONICLES:
Arielle Rainbow
Arielle Rainbow 2
REAPERS OF BEAUTY SERIES:
One Thousand & One Lies
One Thousand & Two Lies
CLAIMING MY PACK:
Wolf Tamer
Work Seeker
Wolf Lover
Wolf Keeper
PROCLAIMING MY PACK:
Wolf Alpha
Wolf Cardinal (Sept 27, 19)
FINDING MY PACK:
Wolf Omega
Wolf Bonded (Jul 21,2019)
DESTINY JINN SERIES (COMPLETE):
Wish for Me
Wish for Me 2
Wish for Me 3
Wish for Me 4
CHRISTMAS STANDALONE:
Secret Dirty Santa
ROCK STAR HAREM SERIES:
BAD GIRLS
BAD GIRLS 2
SUPERNATURAL SPY SCHOOL SERIES:
S.S.S YEAR ONE
S.S.S YEAR TWO
S.S.S YEAR THREE
S.S.S YEAR FOUR (Oct 4, 2019)
SHATTERED SOULS
Dark Swan
Dark Swan 2 (Aug 11th, 2019)
ACADEMY OF UNICORNS
Unicorn Academy - Semester One
Unicorn Academy - Semester Two (Aug 18, 2019)
THE FUNDAMENTAL SOCIETY SERIES:
Mutant Academy
SSS: Year Three (Supernatural Spy School Book 3) Page 21