Cameron accompanied me to my house. My door precisely. It was funny and kind of soothing to watch him act all big brotherly.
At the school gate, he almost beat up a boy because he laughed at me. I didn't want to stop him. I didn't stop him. A nosey teacher did. He came in just as Cam was about to throw a punch. It ended with the boys just saying sorry and going separate ways.

I stood at the door and waited for him to leave before I turned to open the door. Absentmindedly, I  inserted the key without checking if it was opened or not. As I turned the key, aunt Marie opened the door from inside and I almost collided with her.

"Um, Barbara," she straightened up. "Your dad's here and, and I don't know if ".

" I don't want to see him. If that's what you want to ask." I folded my arms like a child who'd just been told to stop eating cookies.

"But... Barbara, he's your father. I know he acts like an ass sometimes but he came to see you so you're going to listen to whatever he has to say. I'm not asking Barbara, I'm saying."

"Fine." I raised my hands up in surrender. "I'll go." I sighed and dragged my feet to the sitting room where I was sure to find the man I call my father.

"Barbara." He said and I just nodded my head in response. What was I supposed to say?

There was a long silence between us until he cleared his throat. "I'm sorry."

I laughed. I had to. "I'm sorry too. It's just that I already knew that's what you were going to say. It's so funny I know what you want to say. Am I psychic or is this some sort of father daughter bond?" When he didn't say anything, I continued. "So dad,I'm happy now. Happier than I ever was in your house. So, there. You have it. I'm okay. Isn't that what you came here for? To check up on me? I'm okay daddy. I'm okay. And to everyone who's with me out of pity, I'm okay." I said to no one in particular, but I knew who it was meant for.  

Feeling exhausted from my sudden outburst, I walked up the stairs to my room and slumped on my bed.
The lavender scented air freshener aunt Marie had sprayed earlier, lured me to a deep sleep.

I was woken up by an annoying noise coming from under my pillow.
I cursed -all thanks to Cameron - and took out my phone. I tapped on the screen and saw that the call was from a private number. Why would a private number be calling me? I hesitated a bit but then decided to answer. It could be anyone.

"Hey babe." The muffled sound came from the other side of the phone.

"Babe? Who are you?" I don't know why I wasn't scared.

"Just one little challenge and look how it got you."

"Eric!!!" I tried to press record but it wouldn't work so I decided to just talk. "You deserve an applause for the perfect job you did there. I give you that. Well done. What app did you use in editing the video?  I'd really like to know because I'll".

"It's nice hearing how hard you're trying to sound okay." He cut me off.  "Well, I don't have a problem with you. Not anymore. I only wanted you far away from my girl and nature seemed to agree with me. Perfect timing. " I could imagine him smirk.

"You think you shook me, think again Eric. You're only hurting your girlfriend."

"Sweet, sweet Barbara. Still thinking about the best friend who dumped her. Funny." He laughed. "You think she's hurt? Think again babe. While you're looking for ways to prove your innocence, I'm giving her reasons why she shouldn't be your friend anymore. Picture this : the jealous best friend who pretends to hate the best friend's boyfriend but secretly has a crush on him. Perfect. With you out of the way, Rory won't have a problem, oops! Said too much already " he hung up.

Jealous best friend. Dory already knew I didn't like Eric so it was going to be hard convincing her now. Fuck her. And I don't mean in a lesbian way. If she really wants to be your friend again, she'll come back. For now,let her keep thinking rubbish.  Okay, cool. I've heard from you. Now where's the angel's voice? The one who'd tell me to keep fighting.  Oh, her. She's on vacation so you're stuck with me.

I shook my head. I wasn't in the mood to continue the discussion with the evil Barbara in my head. Talking about head, my head really hurts like hell. It felt like my thoughts came with a hammer and hit me on the head as the came in.

"Barbara, what was that with your father?" Aunt Marie barged into the room, spatula in hand. It kind of reminded me of spongebob.

"Wasn't that hours ago?".

"Manners kid." She scolded.

"I'm sorry."

"When I said he could be an ass sometimes, I didn't mean you should talk to him like that." She frowned.

"I know. I just, I just poured all my anger out on him. I'm sorry."

She sighed and pulled me in for a hug. "It's going to be okay baby. You have me and that nice boy I saw drop you off earlier. He's Cameron right?" I nodded. "And he's the devil's cousin?" I nodded again. "Never in a million years would I have thought the devil and an Angel could be related. "

"Angels don't curse." I laughed as I remembered the way he'd acted today.

"If you say so. There's this party I'll be attending this evening and I'll love it if you come along with me."

"Aunt Marie, the party's for adults. I'm not even seventeen."

"That reminds me. Have you made any plans for your birthday?" I shook my head. "Well, do that soon. And no. The party's not for adults only. It's organized by A.lively fashion institute. You'll be seeing teen models in attendance. "

"Alright." It's better than staying here and thinking. "But I don't have any party worthy clothes."

"Babe, I'm a designer remember? I've got you covered. Just freshen up, eat and be ready before 8:00pm. I'll see how fast I can come up with a perfect dress for you." She said and left my room.

I picked up my phone, prayed I don't get any messages and the logged in on Facebook.
I don't know how long I spent scrolling through my news feeds. Can you believe Gigi and Zayn broke up? They were my power couple. Goals. Oh well.

A knock on my door made me take my eyes off my phone.

"Please don't tell me you haven't had your bath yet." Aunt Marie came in with a pencil and a sketch pad.

_____________________

"Yes. Yes. She's fine. Yes, um, I don't think it's okay. Oh! She's awake now." I heard aunt Marie say as I walked into the kitchen.

"Good morning" I stifled a yawn as I greeted her.

"Good morning love. I'm not surprised you're still tired till now. Your friend came to check up on you though. I told him you wouldn't make it."

"Wait! Cameron was here? What's the time?"

"10:26am." She said as she buttered a slice of bread." Want some? "

"I've never missed school." I said, chewing slowly. Chewing? I hadn't even realised of taken the bread from her. As I swallowed, my stomach rumbled for more and aunt Marie was quick to pass me the knife, while laughing of course. I don't know why stomachs have to sound like dying whales just to signify hunger. Well, maybe because a hungry whale is a dying whale.

"Don't worry about school. Cameron's got it covered. He said he'll send you the notes and help you out if you have any tests. By the way,your father called. Barbara, you need to talk to him. I don't blame him that much because I know how my sister can be sometimes. Most times."

"Aunt Marie" she nodded her head in my direction." Do you know my mother?".

Hey lovelies!!
How are y'all?
First of all, I want to say thank you for your contributions and comments on the last chapter.
I really appreciate it.

Secondly, y'all hating on Dory, I know she's not meant to do what she's doing but put yourself in her shoes : you're madly in love with this guy and your best friend doesn't like him. Later on, you see a video of the both of them and have witnesses backing up the story. How would you react?

Lastly, I'm having a test next week. I don't know the date yet. Pray I get the chance to update.

Love, Ature. (Wow! I feel like I'm writing a letter.)

PS don't forget to vote, comment and share😘😘.