Becoming Popular ✔ (EDITING)

Chapter Twenty Five-"Do I have you there for me too?"

By talk did he mean kiss or talk?

“This is unbelievable,” Amanda breathed out, staring at me then back to Edward, our father.

I sat nervously in the seat opposite of Amanda, who was seated next to Edward. I could see the similarities between them. They both shared the dark brunette hair and green eyes that were a little darker than a forest. But that’s where the similarities stopped. Edward’s face was stronger, his nose more rounded than Amanda’s longer and angular face. I fiddled with my fingers nervously under the table as I watched Amanda’s face turn from shock to confusion.

“But that would mean…” Amanda continued, “…that you and mum got together after Vivienne’s mother and you?”

“Well Mandy,” Edward began but didn’t get to finish because Amanda cut him off.

“You’re such a pig,” Amanda spat, “you left Vivienne’s mother alone but you could stay for mum instead?”

My jaw fell to the ground. My eyes widened and I couldn’t help but stare at Amanda in a new light. She was actually blaming her father and not me? I watched as Amanda smoothed down her dark hair and cast a glance to me, her eyes filled with an apologetic look as she forced a smile to her lips. Standing up, she said a brusque goodbye and left the restaurant where Sean ran after her. Once again, I fought the feeling of jealousy away and looked back to Edward who was now looking down at Holly who sat next to Toby and Juliet at another table.

“You must forgive Mandy,” Edward finally spoke, “she’s just upset.”

I nodded, finding my voice, “It’s okay.”

Edward finally looked at me and gave me a sad smile, “Look at you Vivienne,” he breathed, “I’m finally meeting you.”

I cast another look in Holly’s direction and found Juliet giving me a worried look to which I ignored. I shouldn’t be relying on Juliet right now. This was my own battle and I needed to overcome it whether I wanted to or not. I mean, after all, this was just a silly meeting, not some family get-together. I licked my lips and replied as cheerfully as I could.

“And I’m meeting my father,” I spoke.

Edward smiled warmly as he took in my appearance, “You look exactly like your mother did when she was eighteen.”

I leaned forward, feeling my curiosity heighten, “I’m seventeen, but mum looked like me?” I asked, “She had blonde hair?”

“Well, she had red and blonde hair because your grandparents wouldn’t let her dye it black, so instead she got it bleached,” Edward chortled.

A smile took hold of my lips as I imagined my mother as a rebel and dying her hair all sorts of colours when she was young. I couldn’t help but relax finally, this man, my father wasn’t some monster who ate little children up. He was just a man like any other man was. He was a father and seemed to genuinely care about Amanda and meeting me. If he was going to try and make this work, then I was going to too.

“How did you two meet?” I asked.

Edward smiled as he looked thoughtful and answered, “It was in a café and your mother was working there as a waitress. I was sitting at a table where I could catch her eye and then as she approached me, she tripped and spilt coffee all over my shirt.”

I laughed, “Sounds like me.”

“Why, do you trip a lot too?” Edward asked.

Sighing I replied, “I’m the queen of klutz.”

He smiled then and then finally asked, “Is that your sister?”

I glanced at Holly who Edward looked at and then back at me. I smiled at the little girl who was talking animatedly to Toby who was grinning like a lovesick puppy as he nodded. Then looking back at Edward, I replied, “Well technically no, she isn’t my sister. Figuratively, she’s the sister I’ve always wanted and soon to be real sister.”