* * *
It's been eight days since we saw Mum. For the first time in my life I was happy, truly happy. Work was amazing, Bianca constantly showed support and the people were amazing to work with. I was at a stage in my life where I had no fears about Noah, I couldn't care less about him. He didn't consume my thoughts anymore. I spoke with my dad regularly, it wasn't bitter, we actually had a few jokes. My relationship with my mum kept getting stronger.
Jaxon and I were also in a good place, there were a few days when he picked me up to go to school so that we could have time to ourselves. He was also kind enough to let Alena tag with us. However, I would get out when we were dropping Alena off so that he drove into our school driveway on his own, much to his dismay. He didn't agree with that but never questioned it because he knew my reasons. I still didn't know what we were, we hadn't talked much about our date, our kiss or if there was going to be another date. Therefore, the last thing I needed was the entire school's attention. Needless to say, our bond was growing stronger, we officially had no secrets between us.
Today was not about me though, today was about Alena. Today she turns eleven and I was originally planning a last minute lunch because time had gotten away from me. However surprisingly enough, dad saved my life. Dad had asked if it was okay if he organised a surprise get together for her. He then went on to say how this was for him just as much as it was for Alena because he had missed so many birthdays and wanted to start making it up to us. So, he had organised a family day at AMF bowling and would have Drew message me when it was time to bring her down. It was rather cute hearing my dad get all giddy about this birthday and insisted I not say anything to Alena.
I knew I still had a few hours up my sleeve until our family outing so I sat up in my room as I finished the homework that was due. I was in a good place with school and I had good grades, not that any of it mattered because I knew I wasn't going to College or University. I was pushing myself to complete schooling because it looked better on a resume, rather than the employee shutting me down because I was a "high school drop out." I had finished my work and was now sitting in the lounge just as Isaac got home. He came in and plopped himself on the couch next to me. I looked him over and noticed that he appeared tired.
"You okay?" I asked.
He was in the middle of rubbing his face with his hands before stopping to look at me, "Yeah. Just tired."
"Wanna talk about it?" I asked. I didn't push him when he shook his head before slouching back into the couch.
I bit onto my inner cheek as I debated on what else to say. He looked like he needed a good distraction, "We are going bowling for Alena if you wanna come? You can tell Nikki to meet you there, if you want?" I asked.
"Alena? Shit. I completely forgot it was her birthday." Isaac groaned before leaning forward to place his forearms on his knees.
"You know she's not one to expect gifts. Buy her food and she's happy." I said as I smiled at him.
Sat, June 25, 03:00 PM
Drew: Leave in 5 minutes
I looked at the message before looking at Isaac, "So, wanna come?"
Isaac looked at his phone before looking up at me, "Yeah, what the hell."
* * *
"Where are we going?" Alena asked.
I looked at Isaac as he drove before turning to face Alena, "We are going bowling."
"I love bowling! Who is coming?" She asked in excitement
"Just us, baby-girl." Isaac added before smiling at her through the review mirror.
It was a quiet drive to AMF. Alena was humming to the songs on the radio while Isaac and I were silent, you could practically hear both of our minds ticking into overdrive. He's never been this quiet, I would be lying if I wasn't worried but I wasn't about to push for answers either. So I let him drive in silence.
I let out a content sigh when we arrived at AMF, when Isaac finished parking I had messaged Drew to tell him we were outside. I smiled at Alena before holding her hand and walking inside. As soon as we walked inside, to our right there was a little diner set up. I managed to convince Alena that food came later, so we went left and began to walk down. They had about twenty bowling isles lined up on our left as we walked. To our right was an arcade area followed by the front desk to get our shoes.
"Hi, we are here for Alena's birthday." I said.
The girl smiled in recognition, "Happy Birthday, Alena."
Alena blushed a little out of surprise before quietly responding, "Thank you."
After grabbing our shoes we walked down to isle fourteen, my eyes moved around and was slightly confused when I couldn't see anyone. I couldn't see Ashley, my dad, Michael or Drew. I smiled when I saw them slowly sneaking in, while my dad held a cake with lit candles. Drew nodded his head towards Alena so I tapped her shoulder, she looked at me in confusion before she turned her head to look behind her. As soon as she looked at them, they started to sing Happy Birthday, Isaac and I joining in. Alena let out a giggle before jumping up and down on the spot, clapping her hands.
My dad had the biggest smile on his face as he knelt down to get eye level to Alena. As soon as we finished singing he looked at Alena before whispering, "Make a wish."
Alena closed her eyes for a few seconds before opening them to smile at me before blowing the candles out. I smiled at my sister and the young lady she was. I was beyond proud of Alena and who she was becoming. She didn't let our circumstances bring her spirits down. I had recently received a letter from the school asking why Alena didn't have an iPad, followed with options on how to provide Alena with an iPad to use during class. Alena had taken one look at the letter before throwing it out saying "I don't need one. I can keep up without it." Truth is, she wasn't keeping up but never once did she complain. It brings a tear to my eye as I think about the situation I've put her in, unfairly.
I blinked back the tears and looked around the place because I didn't want to cry. Not here. My eyes connected with my dad who smiled before miming "Thank you" to me.
I smiled back as I mimed back "You're Welcome."
"Who's ready to bowl!" Michael called out in excitement.
"In five minutes. Just waiting on a few more people." Dad responded.
I creased my eyebrows in confusion as I shrugged my shoulders when Alena looked at me in question. Not even a minute later, I was smiling ear to ear when one by one, Alena's friends walked in. First Penelope, then Sarah and last but not least, Jonathon. I was about to question who their chaperone was until in walked Jaxon and Lisa. Lisa looked a little miserable which made me laugh. The sight of Jaxon brought butterflies to my stomach, we talk almost every day but we still don't show any affection at school which was my idea. I didn't want people turning us into boyfriend/girlfriend if we hadn't even put that label on it yet. When the time is right then I'll let him do something simple like hold my hand while walking down the hallway. I watched as his eyes moved across the room until they caught mine, winking at me before smiling at me. Alena laughed in glee as her and Michael ran up to their friends to hug each other, before making her way back with her hands full of presents. She dumped the gifts next to my feet before smiling sheepishly at me.
"Now, can we bowl?" Michael asked. Dad nodding before walking over to the machine to set up the game. We had decided on two seperate teams, that way everyone gets a shot and the games go quicker. Dad also made the decision to have the kids all on one team and that way they can enjoy each other's company. Leaving us teenagers on the same team as Dad and Ashley. I wasn't really in the mood to play but felt obligated to play seeming as though my dad had paid for all of our games. We played the first round seriously before the silliness started to kick in. We were on the last game before the competitive side came out between Drew, Isaac and Jaxon. Jaxon becoming victorious as he managed to score four strikes, Lisa and I cheering him on as he bowed down.
He walked over to take a seat next to me before patting his left cheek, "Victory kiss please."
I let out a chuckle as I leaned forward to give him a kiss on the cheek, only to be left stunned when he turned his face at the last second, making our lips connect in a quick peck. I playfully pushed him away as I let out a laugh. I looked over to my dad who shook his head, pretending to be disappointed in Jaxon before chuckling at us when Ashley playfully slapped his arm.
My dad looked at me before discreetly bobbing his head towards the diner. I squeezed Jaxon's hand before getting up to follow my dad. He grabbed a gift before calling out for Alena to follow. We both followed quietly until we were sitting at one of the tables. My eyes kept diverting towards the gift and made me wonder why I had to be here.
My dad looked at me nervously before moving the gift towards Alena, "Avery. I hope you don't mind."
Alena looked at me before opening the gift. Tears immediately filled my eyes when I saw an iPad come into my view. The tears flowed down my face as Alena squealed in joy before hugging Dad and then coming to hug me.
"I promise I'll do better with my grades." She whispered in my ear. I kissed her forehead before she took the gift to no doubt show her friends.
I looked at Dad as I swallowed the lump in my throat, "How did you know?" I asked.
"I've got tabs on you girls at your schools. I also put my details down in case something were to happen." He responded.
I immediately got up from my chair and wrapped my arms around my dad's neck as I hugged him, "Thank you." I whispered the words out as my tears continued to fall quietly.
"I felt so shitty about the fact that I couldn't afford the iPad the school required." I said, shame evident in my voice as I sat back down in my chair.
My dad grabbed my chin and lifted my head up, "Don't. You have done such an amazing job with Alena. However, I want to start helping and making it up to you girls somehow."
"We promised to be open and honest. So, there's something you should know." He added. I wiped my tears away from my face as I waited for him to continue.
"When I spoke with the school a few days ago. I asked about your fees and they filled me in on your payments. I've paid for yours and Alena's education. You no longer need to pay it."
"W-What? I-What do you mean?" I fumbled
"I paid everything off on Friday so they've cancelled your payment plan. Your education has been completely paid off." He spoke calmly as he held onto my hand.
My eyes were wide in shock as I shook my head in denial, "I-I can't accept that."
"You can and you will. Just say Thank you dad." he joked as he smiled at me.
I bit onto my inner cheek as the tears began to fill up again, I got up from my chair and hugged him as I whispered the words, "Thank you, Dad."
"I meant it. I want to make it up to you girls in any way I can." He whispered back, rubbing my back to comfort me. I walked away to grab a napkin before coming back to sit next to him.
"There's one more thing." He said, as I was wiping the tears away. I moved my hands away as I watched him take his wallet out to pull out a black card. I was already shaking my head before he tried to give it to me.
"No. Thank you for everything you have done. But. I will not accept your credit card." I said as I continued to shake my head.
"Yes you will. Use it for groceries, petrol, bills. I don't care. Use it. Start saving your money for college."
"I'm not going to college so it's okay."
He dropped his hand on the table as he stared at me baffled, "What do you mean you aren't going to college? You have amazing grades. You can do whatever you want."
"I can't leave Alena and I won't let her move. She loves the school and her friends. I won't do that to her." I forced the words out as I tried to remain calm. I didn't want him to see how much it was killing me that I wasn't going to college.
"That conversation is for another day. Take the card Avery." He demanded.
I swallowed the lump in my throat as I looked at him and then the card. He outstretched his hand to give me the card. I let out a sigh as I took the card from him and placed it in my wallet.
"I won't use it unless it's an-"
"No. You will use it. I will check the transactions to make sure." He interrupted.
"Let's get back." He said as he got up from his chair. He raised his arm up and instantly I smiled as I took a place next to him, letting him wrap his arm around my shoulders. He kissed the top of my head as we walked back to the group.
* * *
A/N: Yes I know... I'm late! Forgive me. I'm all over the shop recently and have been trying to get my life in order! However, I can see how patient you guys are and I love you all for it! Don't forget to hit that vote button if you liked the chapter.
Next Chapter: Someone's late for a very important doctor date!