“You know sweetheart, why don’t we just go out today, a little father-daughter bonding?” I peer up at my dad over my black rimmed glasses skeptically.
“Dad, we spend every evening together, don’t you think we get enough father-daughter bonding time as it is?” I shake my head before looking back down at the papers in front of me, letting my hair fall over my face but I can’t hide the miniscule smile that brightens my features.
“Are you saying that you don’t want to spend time with me anymore? I can change, don’t do this,” I turn around just in time to see my dad fall to his knees and I can’t help but laugh at his dramatic antics.
“Dear, it’s nothing you can change, I just can’t do this anymore,” I adopt a southern belle accent as I place my right hand on my forehead. We both look at each other for a moment before laughing hysterically.
“Go change, we’re going out to eat,” he gets up from the carpeted floor of my bedroom before striding towards the door. I’ve always admired that about my dad, he doesn’t just walk into a place to blend in, his figure demands attention. A man who rarely ever stops to get what he wants, he has the attitude and personality to be the demanding lawyer that he is. His tall figure could seem imposing to any child but I used to find safety in his arms and the laugh lines around his green eyes are proof of all the adventurous memories I’ve stored in my head.
“If you were going to take me out anyway why give me a choice?” I throw my right hand up as I continue to scribble with my left.
“Well, I thought I’d give you the choice to do the right thing but I was getting my way anyways,” he drawls out before walking out of the room. I organize the papers for this weeks’ edition of the newspaper before heading up to my closet. I put on some black pants and a dressy shirt, my dad knows he’ll never get me into a dress, they repulse me. Maybe that’s one of the downfalls about growing up with a single father. Either way wearing a dress makes me feel like something could fly up under there at any given moment. I let my brown hair down in its routine waves before applying some lip balm and grabbing my bag. Hey, I’m a girl just one that doesn’t like dresses.
“You ready?” he’s already standing by the door with a white button down shirt and black slacks. Another downfall about living with a single father is living with one women deem ‘sexy’ and are always chasing after. I used to get so jealous when I was a child that I eventually began to sabotage his dates.
“Yeah,” I nod awkwardly as I hop in place putting my heeled boots on causing him to roll his eyes. I smile at him to signal I’m ready and we head out the door and pile into his car, being a corporate lawyer definitely pays off if your prize is a black Lamborghini. The ride is quiet except for the idle chatter here and there and in no time we pull up into the quaint French restaurant.
“What’s going on?” I ask as I walk besides my dad and into the small but refined establishment. A host immediately escorts us to our table for two and my dad immediately orders a bottle of red wine. I give him a calculating gaze that he chooses to ignore.
“This wine’s pretty good,” he smiles at a waitress in a very flirtatious manner that has me shaking my head. He can be such a player sometimes it’s not even funny. He sees me staring at him and downs another glass of wine. Why couldn’t he just get drunk in the comfort and privacy of our home?
“An explanation would be pretty good too, you only bring me to this restaurant on special occasion or when you have bad news for me,” I take a sip of my coke while giving the man in front of me the ‘no beating around the bush’ look. He runs a hand through his hair, causing audible sighs to be heard in the room, a sign that he’s cautious of what he’s about to tell me.
“A new kid will be joining your school and I signed you up to help him, teach him the ropes you know,” he begins to inspect his menu thoroughly and I know there’s more. We both have this menu memorized from all of the times we’ve actually come here.
“Okay, what’s the big deal?” I draw out a breath, encouraging him to finish elaborating what in the world he’s going on about. A young waiter comes to take our orders, giving my dad time to stall, before heading back to the kitchen to place them.
“He used to live around here, you might’ve known him,” he places his hand on the table as he leans in.
“Who is it?” all this suspense is seriously making me nervous and there are not many things on earth that could make me nervous. He opens his mouth to speak but at that moment the waiter returns, placing our plates in front of us and my dad begins to stuff his mouth. I look at him pointedly before placing a piece of steak in my mouth, chewing carefully.
“Now, before I tell you I want to make it clear that you will help him out because I know he’s going to have a rough time readjusting here,” he points his fork at me, he’s so classy.
“It’s Alexandrew Powers,” and just like that the piece of steak went down the wrong pipe causing me to choke and cough involuntarily. I can feel my eyes water and my face redden not only in embarrassment but loss of oxygen.
“Can I get some help?” my dad gets up from his chair frantically. I repeatedly press my fist to my chest to get things moving inside there and I don’t even have time to revel in the commotion this little ordeal has caused around the restaurant. I feel arms wrap around me from behind as they begin to press in order to perform the Heimlich maneuver. My eyes widen in embarrassment as I spit out the piece of steak much to my dad’s relief.
“Don’t die just yet,” a voice whispers into my ears as their arms begin to unwind from behind me. I turn around rapidly only for my coughing fit to begin all over again as Alexandrew Powers smirks at me before wiping it off. Replaced with a look of concern he begins to pat my back, some with more force than necessary.
“I’m fine,” I wheeze as I take my seat once again, my dad following suit.
“Thank you so much Alex, I didn’t know you were working here” my dad motions for Alex to sit down with us, completely ignoring the slight shake of my head.
“It’s fine Mr. Bell, and I just started working here, have to pay the bills somehow,” it’s true, he really is back. Oh god, he’s going to kill me but it’s not my fault. And that little comment a couple of minutes ago, what was that about? No, I have nothing to be afraid of, I know I’m innocent. What’s that saying, ‘the innocent have nothing to fear,’ or some shit like that. It’ll be fine.
“Mickey, Mickey,” I snap out of it as a hand waves in front of my face.
“What?”
“I’ve been calling you for a while now, are you alright Mikayla?” my dad looks at me worriedly. I nod in response and tune back into the conversation.
“I’m really grateful that you’re going to help me settle back in school and so, Mickey,” Alex smiles deceitfully at me. I give a tight smile in reply.
“Well I’ll see you tomorrow,” he squeezes my shoulder, digging his nails in hard, before walking away whistling some cheery tune. That dude has no manners or morals for that matter.
“See, you were worried for nothing,” my dad smiles at me. Yes, the guy I supposedly landed in jail is back and wants to be friends with no ulterior motives whatsoever, note the sarcasm. I thought for sure the past would have stayed in the past but no, life’s bitch and likes to surprise you sometimes.
Dinner continues on and my little ‘incident’ is forgotten. My dad drones on about different cases he’s picked up at the firm and I listen half-heartedly, my mind drifting on to future scenarios involving Alexandrew. Dinner was great, for my dad. At the end of the night he held seven numbers in his hands all from different women who are willing to accompany him wherever and I think I even saw a waitress slip in a pair of panties in his jacket. Of course he’s leave that little detail out, anything to keep his little girl pure, as if. The drive home is a quiet one, he drives with a faint smile on his face and press my face onto the cool glass of the window. I can’t help but worry at what tomorrow at school might bring.
“Goodnight Mickey,” my dad places a loving kiss on my forehead before heading upstairs to his room. I leisurely make my way to mine, too many things still going through my mind. My eyebrows furrow in confusion as I open my bedroom door, I’m quite certain I left my desk lamp on and not off. I shake my head as I step inside the completely dark room before finding the switch on the wall. I lock my bedroom door and turn to my bed only for a horrible sight to meet my eyes.
“Mr. Snuggles,” I cry as I hold the now decapitated treasure from my childhood in my hands. Who would do such a horrible thing and why? The stuffing lies around all over my bed as if the sadist that did this had fun killing my bear. The crinkling sound of paper brings my attention to the bear where a folded piece of paper has been tucked neatly inside.
That’s just the beginning.
Alexandrew Powers, he’s the only one that thinks I owe him, the only that could have it out for me and the one that’s going to get it now. Much like the TV on Teen Wolf night, it’s on.
Hey guys, new stroy please tell me what you think.
Pic on the side of Mickey!!!:P