Seth's Girl

Chapter Thirty Seven ~Aleena~

Before I got into my car to head home after dropping Seth off, my phone started ringing.

"Dad?" I asked when I answered the phone. "What is it?"

"Nothing's wrong. I was just calling to see where you're at."

"I'm outside Seth's house. I'm fixing to head home."

"Okay. I'll see you then."

"Okay. Bye."

I got into my car and started it. Before I went anywhere, I called Alice.

"Hello?" she said.

"Alice?"

"The one and only. What's up, Aleena?"

"Did…Carlisle tell my parents about what happened today?"

"Umm, no, I don't think so. I'll ask. Just a minute."

"Okay."

I fiddled with the radio while I was waiting for Alice to get back on. And, since she's a vampire, I only had time to listen to two random stations.

"Aleena?"

"Yeah?"

"He only told your mom. I don't know if that's good or bad, but that's who he told."

"Okay."

"Is that all?"

"Yeah. Talk to you later."

"Okay. Bye."

"Bye."

*

When I walked into my house, I was overwhelmed by the smell of something burning.

"Daddy?"

"In the kitchen."

I set my bag down on the bottom step.

"What is that smell?" I asked, wrinkling my nose.

"Your father tried to cook." Mom said from a chair at the table.

"Mom!" I ran and hugged her.

"Easy, sweetie." She said.

"Oh! Sorry."

She laughed. "It's okay."

"What did Daddy try to cook?"

"Beef stroganoff."

I laughed. "Really?"

"Don't diss my cooking, please. At least, not while I'm right here." Dad said.

"Sorry, Daddy. But, it's pretty funny."

"You know what's even funnier?" Mom said. "Your father's cleaning it up."

"Now that, I have got to see."

"You know what?" Dad said, mock-glaring at us. "Go in the living room."

I mock saluted him. "Aye aye, captain."

He made a face at me. "Go. Both of you."

"All right. Come on, Mom."

She stood up slowly. I walked over and put her arm around my shoulder, supporting her. She looked at me and smiled.

We need to talk. She thought to me.

I blinked and nodded.

We walked into the living room and sat down on the couch.

"Turn the TV on." She whispered.

I turned it on to some boring game show. I turned the volume up and turned to face her.

"What?" I asked.

"Why didn't you tell me about the wolf?"

"I didn't want you to worry."

"I'm your mother; it's my job."

I nodded. "I know. I'm sorry. Does Daddy know anything?"

She shook her head. "Not a thing."

I sighed. "Good." I was about to ask her something else when there was a knock at the door.

"Can you get that, Aleena?" Dad asked.

"Yeah." I called, already walking to the door.

I opened the door; it was Alice with a worried expression on her face.

"Alice? What is it?"

She looked directly at me. "Seth." She whispered.