I got home a bit late. As I enter the house, my dad is quick to scoop me up in a hug.

"Oh I'm so glad you're home sweetheart! I was worried. Oh, your face is all bruised! Did you fall down the stairs again? Come on, this is the fourth time this week!"

My cheek is squished against his chest. He scares me sometimes. With how direct and exited he always is.

My dad is a weird mixture of strict and... caring in his own special way. It's odd.

You know when you hate someone but you can't really hate them? It's like that. Like when you have a rebellious friend. You hate what they do, but you don't hate them. He's an odd man.

"I'm not letting you off the hook though! Extra chores because your home late!" His eyes water.

I look to our dinning table as a shimmering powder sits. It shines like crystal dust. Seems like he used a little too much. Off course he would use too much... now the table is sparkly.

My eyes water a bit as his did a second ago in his worry.

Aaaaand now I have to do chores.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As I finish up my chores, my dad finishes his coffee. He walks over and gives me a big hug and a kiss on the forehead.

"I'm so proud of you... my little baby is all grown up! *hic* you're exactly like your mother... but you stayed. *sniff* I'm glad you did so. I love you so much... you're all graduated and everything! Just be careful out there..." he takes my hair out of its rats nest on my head.

He always tell me that... I look just like my mom. He has no pictures of her though. She left because of... something... but he still doesn't hate me for looking like her. He's a merciful man... he's smart.

I laugh a bit. "Gah! Dad, don't cry!" I wipe some liquid off my face, along with wiping some of my tears off.

He's so proud of me...

"You know I love you... even if sometimes everything hurts, or sometimes I get mad, just know that I love you. Go take a shower and get ready for bed. You need to sleep well for tomorrow! It's your big day!"

He's always pushed me to become a ninja. Mom was a ninja. I do it all for him. My hair isn't as pink as it is. Dad added some pink to my strawberry blond to match my moms. I work out to match my body to my moms. Everything I can do to be exactly like her. He may have a bit of an over attachment to her, but if he wants me to be my mom I will. It's the least I can do.

He pays for me to live here. He doesn't hate me, he pays for my food, clothes, room, and he just keeps my here in general. He's incredibly caring.

School may suck, but at least I have a father. A father who cares for me.

I trudge up the stairs, my legs hurting and my hand cramped. Man, extra chores sucks...

I take a shower, washing myself off. I use the same shampoo my mom used, the same soap and conditioner. The same towel. The same hair brush.

Even if today sucked ass, at least I'm home now.

I get into my room, changing into pajamas. A smile on my face.

I flop onto my bed, turning my lamp off. I hug a pillow and bury my face into it.

My smile slips away.

My lip pokes out.

And I cry until I can no longer do so.