Okay.

I had to make a to-do list and stick it up somewhere - where I could keep it in check every day. I sat on the stool, with a pencil balancing on my fingers as I thought this through.

I had to get up early, do my chores of the day and head to school. I should head home straight and do a small check up on Dad—see if things were going on fine, the medications, his appointments and stuffs of that sort.

The racing training won't be starting till six, so that meant, that was the homework time. I had to complete all the assignments and writing work in that time. Then I could head to the track, learn for the day and head back home. I should cook dinner then, eat, do some more reading, check on Dad and then go back to sleep.

Looking at the list that lay in front of me alone, made me tired. But that meant I didn't have any time for Nick. I tried to squeeze him in, but I didn't know how.

"Is the brunch ready, honey?" Dad asked, pushing himself from his room to the kitchen.

I had taken a chair off the dining table so that it won't bother him every time when he came to the kitchen.

"Yeah." I beamed a smile as I pocketed my list. I didn't want him to know about it and get upset about how bad a Dad he was. "It's waffles today. Hope you like them."

"They are my favorite." He smiled as he adjusted himself in the table.

I set up the waffles that I had baked not so long ago and served it on the plate with cranberry sauce. I took a seat next to him, and kept the extras on the table, if someone was hungrier.

"Another leave for you today." Dad silently added, taking a bite.

I rubbed my palm against my forehead. I had missed classes today as I had to set him at home. I didn't want him to end up in hospital anytime soon. Though I had discussed this with him for five times already, he was still not convinced that I could skip class.

"Ah, that's okay." I said, "Lily is coming later to fill me up about school."

Lily had called me earlier asking me if I was alright, especially when I had taken a leave today.

"Girl!" She had squealed when I had received the call. "You are missing classes again. You are alright?"

I almost had tears in my eyes. No one had asked me if I was doing well. Not Nick. Not Dan. They had always asked me how Dad was doing. For the call, the attempt that she made, I was grateful.

I explained her about the condition at home and how irresponsible I had been. It was my duty to look after him and yet, I had screwed it up.

"Shit." She had become silent for a second. "How are you?"

Now I actually had tears and I broke down. I told her how scared I was, how I couldn't even pull Dad up in a sitting position, how I was not there for him, everything.

"Scarlet." She said in a calm voice. "You are strong. I don't know if I could be strong if something of that sort happened to any of my parents."

I sobered up a little. "Thank you." I said, "How come you are on phone, no classes?"

"It's break, Scar." I could totally see her roll her eyes. "It's so boring here."

"I hope I'm not missing out on anything." I added, wondering what was happening in class when I wasn't around.

"For starters, Nick has not even bothered with the classes. He's like no life here." She said, and I could hear her smirk. "He misses you."

I laughed, my mood slightly improving. "I was talking about the classes." I said. "But it's good to know that he misses."

"About the class. How about I swing at your place and we'll catch up?" She asked.

"Yes!" I was more than excited. It was more than months since we hanged out together.

She saw my enthusiasm and laughed. "See you then."

My Dad, who now sat on the opposite end, examined me with narrowed eyes. I knew he was disturbed by the fact that I was not attending the classes as regularly as I did before. I was worried too, but I was more worried about him than anything else.

"Okay." Was all he said, as he went back to have another bite.

"I wanted to tell you something." I stated, assuming that he was in a good mood to at least analyse the situation properly.

"What's it?" he said.

"I was thinking of taking an extra job, at least till I get into the proper racing thing." I said in one breath, hoping that he wouldn't get upset.

"Darling, you don't have to beat yourself over it." He sighed. "I'll talk with the others and we can make this work. You don't even have to race."

"If that was the case, then Dan would have put that forth for us." I put aside my empty plate.

"But why the job all of a sudden?" He asked.

Was he seriously kidding me right now? Why did he have to put everything at stake all of a sudden? Why did he have to overdose all of a sudden?

I too had my questions at him, but I bit my tongue and held silence.

"The insurance covers the expenses, right?" He asked, when I didn't tell anything much.

"Yes, it does." I answered. "It did cover for the operation that you went through the first time. We kind of extracted everything from it."

"And..."

"It only covered half of the expenses for the yesterday's thing." I sighed. "The x-rays alone cost a few hundred dollars, Dad. From where am I getting the money? The bills from past month is due too."

"I don't know what to say." He put his hands over his head, clearly frustrated.

"On the brighter side, I am going to work for the coffee shop on the weekends. What do you say?"

"I never imagined this would happen for us. To you." He said not looking at me. "I'm very sorry, Scarlet."

"Dad, what happened, happened. Don't fret over it." I walked over to him, to hug him from the back. "Meanwhile I want you to promise me one thing."

"Anything."

"You understand that I won't be present at home for most of the time, right?" He nodded his head. "I want you to be careful and not overdose, or fall from your chair, or do anything stupid—okay?"

He laughed a little. "I'm sure you are going to hold that on me for a long time now, aren't you?"

"Nope." I said, popping the p. "Now promise."

"I do." He said, mocking a defeat.

I kissed on his cheeks and led him to his room. I gave him his medicines and stood there till he swallowed it. He was giving me an eye, but didn't say a word.

I understood what the doctor had said. I couldn't overshadow him, after all this time when he was living on his own. I had to give him the space that he needed.

Around three in the noon, the doorbell rang and I was sure that it was her. I climbed down the stairs from my room and went ahead to open the doors.

"Hey!" It was Nick. I could easily say that my breath was taken with the sight I beheld in front of me.

I hadn't seen him for two days since I somewhat poured my heart out to him. Some part of me thought he was avoiding me for all the reasons that I didn't understand. I had promised myself that I wouldn't let his thoughts overpower mine, making me sulk, but I couldn't help it at all. The question of what if's swirled over and over again, making me judge.

"Hi," I said, taking a moment to analyse him. His hair was neatly combed as his green eyes shone brightly. His hands were tucked under his black jacket as he leaned against the door frame, waiting for me to let him in.

"Hi to you too!" Lily said behind him.

Now I was confused. Lily and I had made a pact telling that it would be girl's day to study and gossip and what not. Wasn't she breaking them all by bringing Nick into the mix? How was I supposed to act normal with him on my watch?

"Come on in." I said, giving her an eye, for which she just shrugged.

"How's Edward doing?" Nick asked, as we three made it to the hall.

"Who's that, Scar?" Dad shouted from his room.

"Come on, let's say a word with him and then head to my room." I said, walking them to Dad's room.

Dad was in his chair, a book in his hand as he faced the window at one corner. It was difficult for me to put him to bed and then back to his chair every time. So we had agreed that it would be only at night time when he had to sleep.

"How's the pain, Mr Stone?" Lily asked politely.

"Lily! It's so good to see you." Dad beamed. "Let's not talk about the pain. It's been a long time since you stopped by."

"Yeah." She said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ears.

"And you Nick? Heard your friend was not doing well. How's he?" Dad asked.

It was this part of my Dad that I liked and adored the most. I didn't have to stay back and make my friends comfortable with him. It was very easy for Dad to start a conversation and make people feel as if he knew them from time infinity.

When I once asked about this, he said that it was what the tracks had taught him—talking. I had laughed at him for being ridiculous. But he had explained me well in terms that I could never forget.

According to him, talking was an art and it came with good observation and with time. As long as you knew how to talk, what to talk and when to talk, you could always survive any situation.

Maybe, that was how, Calvin and Dan had managed to make Ashley agree to their conditions.

Now as we made our way upstairs to my room, Lily looked back towards my Dad's room. "Your Dad is so sweet." She said.

We sat on the bed with our books opened and me staring at Lily asking her silently why Nick Everest was here. It didn't seem like he was fazed, but me? I was nervous. It was just another hang out session for him, while I was jittery at his every move.

"So," Lily started once we had settled down. "I was talking with Mr Patel, our physics teacher—"

"I think she knows who's who Lil." Nick smirked. "Just because she missed one day doesn't mean that she has amnesia."

Lily just ignored him and continued. "He told me about the surprise test he was going to give tomorrow. I wasn't supposed to leak the info, but I thought this might boost up your academics and with the teachers."

"You are so sly!" I laughed. Being the teacher's pet as your best friend was one of the perks.

"That was why I brought this idiot here." Lily said, pointing her fingers at Nick. "He's the smartest and I thought we could use an extra brain."

"How can you call me an idiot and the smartest in the same sentence?" Nick rolled his eyes, making me laugh.

The next two hours we kept studying those forces, the laws and the things I thought they never existed. Nick was trying his best to make us understand but I could tell that he was giving up on us soon.

"I think my head is going to explode." Lily said, lying on the bed as we completed the sessions.

"Hope I won't forget." I added. "Hey, there's waffles left over. You guys want some?"

"Yes!" Their reply came in unison.

I did a brief check on Dad as I made my way to the kitchen. When I got back, the two of them were still in the same position as I had left them.

"You are going to Brian's party?" Lily asked taking a bite.

"I don't know." I said, not knowing where this was leading to. I had thought I could go, but now after the incident with Dad, I was not so sure about it. I didn't want to regret just because I had to party.

"You should go." Nick said, looking at me. It was the first conversation that we had made directly without involving Lily or the study material. "I could pick you girls up, if you like."

Lily gave me a wink. "That would be best." She coughed, when I gave a look to her. "I mean, it's tomorrow and if I get my car, there might be some parking problems, right?"

"That is so lame." Nick snickered.

"Guys, I don't think I can come." I said. "I need to stay home and make sure that things are okay here."

"Scarlet, come on." Nick begged.

"It's going to be at night, way past my curfew time and Dad will be alone." I reasoned. "He's not the same and you guys know it. I'm sorry, Lil. I won't be able to make it."

"It is tomorrow and I don't know what I'm going to do without you there." Nick laid on the bed, his face towards the ceiling.

I had imagined this moment for as long as I could remember. Him, in my room as we rented movies, cuddled up in each others arms as the movie filled the silence of the room. We would kiss each other, laugh and giggle at the cheesiest lines. I would fall asleep in his arms and he would look at me sleep.

But this was clearly not it. If my Dad hadn't got into that race, I would have still had the chance to go through it. But now, that train had left the platform and even though I had the tickets, I had missed the train.

I wasn't going anywhere.

But ignoring that particular party was not as easy as said. Exactly three hours later, my so called friends had pulled my Dad into this conversation, planting him against me. Taking the blame on himself for not letting me enjoy my 'youthful' days, Dad guilty trapped me when I said I didn't want to go.

It took another two hours to convince me and by the end of the discussion, I had caved in, telling myself that I was doing this for the sake of my friends and family. Nothing else.

The next day, Nick had made me change my party clothes thrice before he said it was okay. Lily and Nick both made sure that I was actually having a good time. They sat together discussing how to doll me up. In fact, it was the only topic that they both seemed to agree with.

For a moment I had forgotten that I had agreed to go to the party just for the sake of Nick Everest, who was in my room with my best friend sharing ideas about how to make me look pretty.

We made to the party at last where James, the school's vice-captain of the football team welcomed us. Though James was Lily's boyfriend, he had not brought her to the party which was thrown just because his team had won. I was surprised when I heard that Lily would be hitching a ride with us. She hadn't even bothered to fight with him or be gloomy about it.

"Hey guys!" He said, walking towards us. When he had spotted Lily, who was dressed like a party God, his question was lost on us as he cupped her face kissing her like he was seeing her for the first time in his life.

"Stop it you two." Nick waved his hand in the air with mock disgust. "There are kids here." He put his hands around me, trying to cover my eyes.

"Hey," James laughed while Lily blushed light crimson under the neon lights. "How are you doing, Scar? I heard about your Dad. Is he okay now?"

I nodded my head, not wanting to add anything more to it. I had come to this party where sweat bodies danced like there was no tomorrow only so that I wasn't guilty trapped. I didn't want to feel like I had to run back home just to check if he was okay.

"He's great." Nick said, pulling me towards him, giving me a knowing smile. I knew he had known where my thoughts had started to travel. He kissed the top of my head, affectionately while my stomach knotted together. "You want something to drink?"

"A soda?" I crocked, not able to get my eyes off of him.

"What do you need, baby?" James asked Lily, for which she muttered something in his ear making him laugh.

When the two boys left us, Lily's eyes widened and I tried my best to hide my blushing face. "Nick just kissed you!"

"It was nothing." I said, looking away. I could tell that agreeing to come to the party had it's own set of advantages. Though I felt bad that I was doing this when my Dad suffered back at home, I was happy that Nick was there with me in all my ups and downs.

"Well, it's going to be something tonight though." She nudged me, making me laugh. "There's the Scarlet I know. Enjoy."

"Thank you." I said, suddenly pulling her for a hug. She hugged me back, telling me that everything was going to be fine and I needed to relax and enjoy for the present.

"Come let's dance." Lily said and without warming, she pulled me along with her.

"Lil, we haven't met the host yet!" I screamed at the top of my voice, since the music was too loud. "Don't you think that's good manners?"

The music was not all that great, but it was something. It was the usual beats with the base of it kept high enough to knock out the diaphragm of our bodies. I could feel it vibrating to the rhythm too.

Lily stood in front of me, dancing with her own steps that nicely aligned with the beats. She motioned me to follow her steps since I was just swaying and occasionally clapping to the music.

"You are supposed to dance, dimwit." Lily shouted. "Come on now."

I stuck my tongue at her, closing my eyes as I let the music in. "Hey Scar!" Someone shouted my name over the loud music. When I turned around there was Brian looking at me like I was the only girl in the dance floor.

"Um.. hi." I smiled back, as I stopped swaying. I turned around to see if Lily had witnessed this, but she had disappeared. "Great party! Congrats on the win!"

Brian only shrugged. "It's okay. But I'm glad you are enjoying it."

"Thank for inviting though." I smiled awkwardly, as the music continued in the background.

He smiled nodding his head. "I'm happy that I did." He took my hand in his and twirled me and in the next second, I was in his arms arching my back as the song ended on cue.

By the time it was done, I was smiling ear to ear. Never in my dreams had I imagined it to happen. It was so clichéd and I had always concluded that it was only with those romance books and the movies.

"Wow!" Was all I could muster. "That was so cool."

Brian laughed at that, scratching his neck. "I could show you a little more if you stick around."

"What is that supposed to mean?" I asked laughing at his snide comment. I hit his arm playfully. "You'll have to do a bit more than twirling and turning for that."

"Look who's flirting?" Brian laughed. We walked to the kitchen to get us some drink, since mine never made it back. "You are more fun than I thought you were."

I raised an eyebrow at him, with a smile of my own, "That means...?

He laughed again. "That means, you are so much more than you give yourself credit for."

"Can you go on like this for some more time?" I said, giving him a fake pleased smile. "It's not every day that I get comments like that one."

We walked towards the kitchen. I grabbed a fresh glass of soda from the kitchen counter while he took a beer can from the refrigerator. So much for waiting for Nick to get me a soda.

I turned around, trying to locate Nick, but he seemed like he had vanished into thin air. My whole school had come here, dancing, drinking and making out almost everywhere. When I glanced towards my right, I thought I saw Nick.

But he wasn't alone.

He was kissing another girl as he held my drink in his hand. My bile raised to my mouth and before I could do something stupid, I ran.

I just couldn't help the tears that stung my eyes. This time, it was for the pity I had for myself.

---

A/N: Was coming to the party a good idea? Do you think Nick at least likes her? And about Brian? Will something happen between the two?