With my body wrapped in the blanket and his arm around my shoulder, the breeze still caught up to my skin, sending chills down my spine. Despite the beautiful scenery that we're looking at, the chilly breeze from the hills didn't make the sit anymore peaceful. I soon found myself shivering, as Landon was sitting as if the cold didn't have any little affect his icy cold persona.
Without debation, I dragged my frozen hands towards my lips, blowing warm air into it attempting to bring some heat into my limbs. I felt Landon taking his arm off my shoulder, and soon enough grabbed my hands.
It was too cold to fight back, and by this time, I started to feel comfortable with Landon's touch. His presence didn't seem to bother me anymore, in fact I was more joyful of his company. He pulled my hands towards his pink lips, softly blowing warm air into my hands. I couldn't help but crack a smile at his thoughtful doing.
Why am I smiling? I thought to myself as I shake my head.
After blowing a few times, Landon rubs both of his hands against mine. The body warmth from both of us made me feel a lot warmer against the foggy mist that soon started to appear. As much as I hate to say, his company made me feel special, and happy for once.
"Why are you so friendly now?" I teased him, pulling my hands away before shoving it in between my laps under the blanket.
"I can't be nice?" he answers sarcastically. His straight-white teeth appeared as he grins unconsciously.
"Let's take you home," he says softly, before holding a hand out for me and getting out of the trunk. I grabbed his warm hands and pulled myself off of the car, wrapping the blanket around my body before walking towards the passenger side of the car.
Landon watches me, amused. He jumps to his feet and grabs the bottom of the blanket that I was dragging on the dirty ground.
"Sorry," I simply apologized as I sat in the car with Landon tossing the end of the blanket on me, slapping the door.
I couldn't help but think about Colton in the car ride home. It felt as if Colton and Landon suddenly just switch roles. How could Colton lead me on like that? Why is Landon being so nice all of a sudden? These questions filled up my mind before I noticed that Landon was already parked in my front garage.
Unwrapping the blanket from my body, I grabbed my bag and stepped outside. I leaned down to the window and waved goodbye before turning my back to him.
- - -
"Dad!" Austin screams almost at the top of his lungs.
Dad's home?
I dropped my bag near the door and rushed myself into the kitchen. Part of me was wondering why Austin was suddenly scream, but most of me was excited to see my dad.
"Dad, why would you do that?" I overheard Austin say quietly, almost hissing at our father.
Suddenly, I stopped my track by the kitchen wall.
"I was trying to help our family, son," I heard my dad's fragile voice linger pass the wall.
"You're not helping! We could get hurt, you could get hurt!" Austin cries. I was utterly confused by the situation in the kitchen. Even though I tried my best to piece together what they were saying, there wasn't much said.
There was a moment of silence before Austin spoke up again, "Who?" he asked bluntly.
I felt a sudden rush of annoyance up my back. Without a second thought, I stomped into the kitchen and crossed my arms. I stopped in front of my older brother, red hair still as messy as always, "Who what, Austin," I defended my dad.
Both men in the room suddenly jumped, surprised by my sudden entrance. I saw Austin hesitate to answer, before dad came in and answered willingly.
"Nothing honey," he reassured me, with a very tired voice.
"I just came home to you guys arguing, of course there's something," I rolled my eyes at both of them.
"Why are you yelling at dad?" I growled at Austin. It's been a long time for us to give each other hard taps and disrespect, but I couldn't help watching Austin yell at our dad. Especially due to how hardworking dad is, it never feels right for us to ever raise our voice to him.
"Aubrey," Austin sighs, "Go to your room." He puts his hand on my back, attempting to lead me towards the exit of the kitchen. I shook my head and didn't bother to budge.
"No, Austin," I looked at dad for a brief moment before turning my attention to Austin, "Tell me what's happening."
"I borrowed money," dad suddenly interrupted our little drama. His words made me freeze, I slowly turned towards him on the tip of my heels.
In disbelief, the only word that I could mutter out was "What?"
My dad never believed in borrowing money, even if we were failing miserably in finance. We all are aware of the consequences if the money is not returned within the time frame that they give us. It shocked me for him to do something so bold, when all we were taught by him was to almost live under the shell.
"I borrowed money from," my dad hesitated to continue.
"From where? Dad," I asked curiously, making my way towards the dining table and sat across from him.
A sad frown was clearly shown on his face, as he tries to avoid both Austin and I's eye contact like a child. He had his finger intertwined as he rests his lips on top of his hand, covering his mouth while sighing in defeat.
"Someone named Charles," he finally continued, lips trembling the moment he said his name, "I ran into him not too long ago. He noticed that we were struggling and said that he was able to help me."
I looked at Austin as both of our expressions were mixed, but the same: confusion and curiosity.
"How can he notice us struggling, when we don't notice it ourselves?" Austin brutally interrupted dad, pointing fingers between him and I. Austin was clearly unhappy with the trade, and the lack of communication in this family.
I sat there, frozen as I tried to accept the fact that my dad was struggling without Austin and I's acknowledgement.
"Why didn't you tell us? We can get a job, we can help," I leaned across the table, looking at my father's tired eyes.
"I wanted you guys to focus on your education," he pleaded. I've never experienced my dad showing any signs of weakness in my life, let alone him struggling. During that moment, I was speechless by his actions and words. Never did I expect my father, a person who abides by his own rules and beliefs, turn against his own will.
Austin pulled out a chair from the side of the dining table and sat between dad and I.
"How much did you borrow?" Austin asks quietly, pressing his hand against each other.
Dad pressed his lips together, before rubbing both of his hands down his face. His eyes were getting red, I noticed him sniffing but holding back his tears.
"More than I can make in a month," he mumbles underneath his breath, "about eight thousand."
My heart suddenly dropped against my stomach. My heart beat started slowing down and all I was able to think of was the rock bottom we were soon about to hit.
"Dad!" Austin screams, dropping his hands from his mouth and slapping them against the table.
"It was for both of your education, our house, our grocery!" my dad responded, with his voice slightly raised.
"I thought you told us that we were stable enough," I murmured.
"My boss hasn't paid me yet," dad responded.
It's been nearly six months since we've moved into this new house, and since I've attended Jones High. The prices and story didn't seem to click.
"Why?" I simply asked.
My dad shrugged, Austin sighs loudly. He wasn't known as someone who was gullible enough to work for someone for free. I licked my lips that were now dry, and placed my hands on my eyes, resting my elbows on the dining table.
Suddenly, I heard sniffing coming from across the table. I looked up from my hands, not expecting to see the saddest thing I've possibly ever laid my eyes on. Austin's eyes were red, my dad's eyes were red. Both of their red hair was messy, their posture was drooped, as both of their hands were covering their lips.
I observed my dad's face carefully, noticing the twitch in his cheeks before tears started to form in his eyes. Silence of sadness quickly fills the air as our family cries silently in support of each other's struggles.
I was too blinded by Landon and Colton to even notice about my own family.
- - -
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