(RORY’S POV)I stared at my reflection, a critical eye raking over my appearance. My curls rested on my head like a chaotic halo, seemed to have a mind of their own, spilling over my head like a lion's mane caught in a perpetual gust of wind. A groan escaped me as I dragged my fingers through the unruly mass, a futile attempt to tame the wildness that mirrored the burgeoning chaos within me. The mirror offered no solace, only a magnified view of my burgeoning frustration.With a sigh, I turned from my reflection, grabbed the mouthwash, and gurgled a generous amount, the minty freshness a stark contrast to the burgeoning heat in my cheeks. A quick pat with a towel, and then, driven by an inexplicable urgency, I raced downstairs. Every step on the wooden staircase echoed the frantic beat of my heart. My hand trembled slightly as I reached for the doorknob. The cool metal offered a fleeting sense of calm before I twisted it and pulled the door open. And then, as if on cue, my breath hit
(BACK TO RORY’S POV) MY dad never stays with us for up to a week. He never gets the chance too because somehow, his job finds a way of getting in between. So it was not surprising to me as I found out my Dad was gone when I came downstairs this morning. Rosalie was getting ready to leave for school as she told me that our dad received a call very early this morning.“I wanted to wake you but he said to let you sleep.” She told me. I felt my chest tighten but I held my chin up and nodded, acting like I did not really care even though I could feel the hurt in my chest. “Where’s Aunt Ryan?” I asked throwing a quick glance around the living room where we were standing.“She took dad to the airport and then went to have some work done. She isn’t gone yet, she’ll probably be here when you get back home.” She said to me as she zipped up her bag and put the strap over her shoulder. “Do I sleep so deeply? It’s like everyone planned today without me knowing.” I murmured folding my arms
(THIRD PERSON’S POV) The metallic clang of Larry Davis’s fork against the plate echoed through the dining room, cutting through the pleasant classical music like a discordant note. All eyes, including Rory’s, snapped to him. A knot of dread tightened in Rory’s stomach. She knew this was coming.“Are you all right?” Aunt Ryan’s voice, though soft, held concern as she looked at Larry, then at Rory and Todd.Larry pushed his plate away with a loud scrape, his gaze fixed on Todd. “All right? How can I be all right when my daughter has changed so much right before my eyes?” His voice, though not a yell, was laced with a palpable anger. “Rory used to be different. She was a quiet girl, focused on her studies, a nerd even, and I was proud of that. Now… now look at her.” His eyes flicked to Rory, a mixture of hurt and accusation in their depths. “She’s completely different, and it’s all because of this boy.” He gestured dismissively towards Todd.Rory felt a surge of indignation. How dare he
(RORY’S POV) The tension in the room was so thick that it could be cut with a knife. Before we settled around the table, Aunt Ryan connected her phone to the home theatres and put on some classical music.“Some of my work stuff to brighten the mood.” She said shooting a bright smile to us all before she went about humming along to the tune as she set the table.Rosalie and I helped, even though what I really wanted to do was sit down beside Todd and glare at Dad, who was using icy stares to try and make Todd uncomfortable.Todd was alright. I noticed it when I settled down beside him. His shoulders were relaxed and he had a simple neutral expression that was very polite to me. My heart was swelling with pride when he gave me a quick smile as if to assure me that everything was fine.He did not look sad or angry even though Dad’s behavior was enough to make him feel either of the two in an excessive amount.“So,” Aunt Ryan started when we were minutes in to our dinner and the only sou
(RORY’S POV)Sure enough! It’s my dad! Stomping and marching angrilly towards Todd and I like we were criminals standing on his piece of land. Todd released his grip on me just as dad got to where we were and I in turn sprang to action, jumping in front of Todd so I could face dad.He looked like he wanted to punch Todd in the face or something was. He had a burning fiery look in his eyes, a look that told of his rage.“You scoundrel! Did I not warn you to stay away from my daughter?” Dad growled angrilly ignoring me standing in between them and still trying to get around me to Todd.“Dad! Please stop! He has done nothing wrong!” I begged.My voice was shaking, I did not sound confident. I sounded like I was deeply begging, just like I was but Dad looked down on me and after a growl, he pushed me to the side gently but firmly.“No please.” I said trying to get my footing but Dad was already over to Todd and he had gripped his collar jerking him hard.“Dad!” I screamed. “Please stop!”
(RORY’S POV) Spending time with Aunt Ryan made me realize how much I missed her. Even though I have always called her aunt, she has felt more like a big sister to me. Might I remind you that Aunt Ryan and Nana Rue (My sweet grandma) are the people who made losing mum less harder to deal with. They surrounded us with so much love after her loss. We cried together, mourned together, healed together and laughed together. Dad was almost always away and sometimes I wonder what would have happened to us if my grandma and aunt were not in the picture. It’s almost dinner time and Aunt Ryan and I are playing a game of chess. She’s probably the only person of giving me a hard time with this game and thats because she taught me everything I know.Dad is seated on the couch with Rosalie. Rosalie is invested in our game as she keeps on reacting but as for Dad, I don’t know that he is. After what happened between us this morning, it think he is mad at me but trying o keep his calm because A