Unbearable (Unexpected Sequel)|✔️

43- Parallel Families

I frowned, feeling annoyed. Both of them were going out of town while I was stuck here. Normally I wouldn't mind but it would be nice to just get away for a while. I was getting sick of this stupid house.

"Take me with you," I groaned. Both of them sent sympathetic looks but didn't linger on the topic too long. Jaz got into all the things she's planning on doing on her cruise and Dylan was left to rant about his annoying family.

My mind wandered to my own break. Dinner was being held at our house once again. I didn't really know who was coming. I didn't bother asking either. I just hoped my cousins Sara and Sam were coming. Maybe then I could actually enjoy the holiday.

Maybe.

~~~

When I arrived at my house, my dad greeted me at the front door, just like old times. I feigned happiness but it didn't quite reach my eyes. He noticed.

It didn't change when he called for a family movie marathon.

And it didn't change when he took us out to our favorite ice cream shop.

Finally, he caved at the dinner table. "Ary, what's wrong?" He frustratedly sighed.

I faked innocence as I shoved a bite of rice into my mouth. "Nothing."

He rolled his eyes at my nonchalance. I wasn't about to tell him what was wrong. There was a specific time and place this needed to be done and this wasn't it.

"There's clearly something wrong," he sighed again, practically pleading for me to tell him. All I could offer was a shrug. If I didn't want to be questioned, I shouldn't have been so obvious.

But sue me for wanting my parents to see a problem instead of me telling them about it.

My mom straightened up and spoke in a motherly tone. "You can't expect us to know the issue without you telling us."

It took everything in me to not roll my eyes.

Surprisingly my (not so) baby bother responded on my behalf, and he didn't hesitate to voice his annoyance. "You guys leave us alone for long periods of time and you expect us to be okay with it?"

"Justin!" my mom gasped.

Dad put his hand over hers and gave her a calming nod. "Let him speak."

Justin's brows raised up to his hairline. I felt the same way. Neither of us expected them to actually listen but I guess they're more accomodating than I remember. He scoffed, continuing his rant. "Well, for starters, you've been away for so long I doubt you even know what's going on in our lives. You missed homecoming! Who does that? Did you even know your own daughter was crowned homecoming queen?"

Crap. I was hoping Justin wouldn't mention that.

Both my parents' faces morphed into shock as they stared at me. "Y-you did?"

I picked at my dinner, avoiding their intense gazes. "Technically."

"What do you mean 'technically'?" my dad asked.

"I didn't go."

"Why not?" both of their voices chorused. I braced myself to look at their shocked faces and nearly cringed when I did. What was I supposed to tell them? Oh, you know, just got peer pressured to do coke instead. Nope. I'd be dead before prom.

I racked my brain for a believable lie. "I just didn't feel like going after the breakup," I said sadly. Total lie but I needed to play the guilt card for them to stop asking questions.

My mom flashed me a sympathetic smile while my dad clenched his jaw. "Who's the boy? Does he know I carry?"

I did roll my eyes this time. "No, you don't." At least I think he didn't. "And it was Dean."