Dylan's pov
Iopened my eyes saw that it was already morning. Liah said she would treat me today. I can't wait to get to school to see her.
I quickly got up and prepared for school.
I made my way downstairs and saw my parents all dressed up, sitting in the living room.
"Morning my lovely parents" I greeted them and walked over to my mom, kissing her on thecheek.
"You little rascal, how dare you kiss my wife in front of me" my dad teased
"Oh come on dad, she belongs to the both of us now" I teased back and we all laughed.
"Liah is a good girl. I like her. When next is she coming?" My mom asked me. Seems like my mom have taken a liking to Liah.
"Mom are you already considering her for the position of daughter in law?" I teased her with a smile.
"Come on, you're still so young but I don't mind having a daughter in law earlyand I think she's the perfect person for you" my mom continued.
"How can you be so sure?" You haven't known her for long?" I askedher.
"Hmph, I know what's good for my son when I see it. This girl is far more better than that pretentious Nelly" My mom said. I Laughed and faced my dad,
"Dad do you agree?"
"Of course. I also have a feeling she's a good girl" he said with a slight smile.
I shook my head at the both of them. I'm not even done with high school yet and these two are already playing matchmakers.
"Alright you two, I'll be on my way to school now" I said, reading to leave.
"Hold on, you won't be going to school today. We're going to visit the vineyard we bought recently" my dad said.
"Oh, let me go change then" I said. I can still meet up with Liah in the evening for dinner. With this in mind, I happily went to change my clothes upstairs.
Liah's pov
Grrrrrrr.... Grrrrrrrr
"Ugh, curse this alarm" I groaned frustratingly before putting off the alarm and standing up sluggishly from the bed. Today is Friday, another day for school. Suddenly, everything that happened yesterday flashed in my mind. Right, I have to treat Dylan today. Just thinking about it makes me excited and all the sleepiness vanished immediately. I quickly entered the bathroom to freshen up.
After preparing for school, I went downstairs for breakfast.
"Morning sis" Mark greeted me. They were already seated at the dining table.
"Morning Mark. Morning Mom and Dad" I greeted them and casually pulled back a chair and sat down picking my spoon to eat.
"Morning princess" my dad greeted back but mom just glared at me.
"Why did you come back so late last night?" My mom asked me.
"I'm sorry mom. I lost track of time" I said. Mom slammed her spoon on the table, startling everyone at the table.
"You lost track of time huh. I see I've been too lenient with you, from now on you won't step out of this house unless when you go to school and immediately after school come back home immediately. School closes by 2pm, I expect you to be home by 2:30pm. If you're even a minute late, I promise you, you'll regret the day you were born" she spat out those harsh words in one breath.
I looked at her, shifting my gaze to Mark, dad before fixing it back on her. I chuckled at her words as tears flowed down my face.
"What have I ever done to you. I mean, I've never seen any biological mother treating her daughter this way" I paused, choking on my tears before continuing "I only lost track of time. It shouldn't be a big deal. When I was at my friend's place yesterday, I saw how good they treated their son. Not only him, Sophie's parents treat her so well, why am I different? What is my crime?" I just can't understand them.
"Sis, please calm down" Mark tried to console me.
"What you did? Why are you different? What nonsense. How are we treating you bad?" My mom asked
"Mia, that's enough" my dad shouted, glaring at my mom.
"You know what mom, I'm already being mistreated in this house, if you deny me my freedom too, I'll just end my life" I shouted and I meant every word. I can't let them seize my freedom too, there's no way in hell I'm letting that happen.
My mom gasped and looked at me shocked.
"Liah!!!" My dad shouted my name and looked at me with a frustrated and guilty expression.
"Sis please don't say that" Mark said.
I glared at all of them in the room, picked up my bag and ran out the door.
Way to go mom for ruining my cheerful mood. No, I won't let them get to me. I wiped the tears off my face and waved down a taxi.
At school,
I haven't seen Sophie since I entered class today and Dylan was also nowhere to be seen. Feeling bored, I took a novel I've been reading for the past few days and started reading, getting lost in it.
"Liah" I heard Sophie's voice, raising my head just in time to see her running towards my desk.
"What's up" I forced a smile. Sophie's smile vanished immediately upon noticing my forced smile.
"Baby girl, what's wrong?" She asked, her voice very soft with a concerned expression on her face.
"Nothing much. Just my mom again" I brushed the matter off. Didn't feel like talking about it right now.
"Oh baby, so sorry" she said and hugged me. After a few minutes, she pulled away with a beautiful smile on her face.
"Where were you since morning, you weren't in the first class" I asked her.
"Yeah. I had to come to school a bit late today. I had some things going on at home" she said
"What things?" I probed.
"Dad had a little accident but it's nothing serious. He's fine now" she explained.
"Oh no. I'll follow you today to go see him" I said.
"Thanks baby. Anyways guess what?" She said with a knowing smile on her face. I couldn't help but laugh. Sophie is never short of news.
"I can't guess right now, so what is it?" I asked her.
"Celine is throwing her eighteenth birthday party tomorrow and everyone is invited. I'm so excited. I've always wanted to visit her house again, it's so beautiful" she said with a dreamy look in her eyes.
"Wow, that's good. So have you thought about what to wear?" I asked her.
"Of course, I will look so beautiful that if care is not taken, I might steal the birthday girl's spotlight" she said with her chin raised high as if it was something to be proud. I laughed hard at her confident words.
"The teacher is here" someone announced and Sophie ran back to her seat and winked at me once she was seated making me smile at her.
After school, I followed Sophie to the hospital where her father was admitted to.
In the hospital room,
"Hello uncle, how are you doing?" I greeted him and gave the caregiver the basket of fruits I took a long with me.
"Liah my dear, I'm feeling better now seeing how you made out time to come visit me" he said faintly and I quickly went to his side and held his hand.
"Of course I had to come visit you uncle. You are like family to me" I said sincerely. I truly considered them my family. At least they treat me better than my original family.
My mom doesn't give up a moment to make my life miserable, my dad ignores us most of the time and few times pretend to care, actually I prefer it when he ignores us than him pretending. Mark is the only one who warms up to me in that house and I love him so much for that.
"That's true, that's true. Well I'm fine my dear, just a little accident, nothing serious" he said, trying to reassure me. I understood and didn't want to drag it further.
"That's good to hear uncle. Is there anything you need, I can get it for you" I asked checking my time. It's already 4:38pm. I can't stay for too long.
"Ugh, look at how you both totally ignored me. Not fair" Sophie grunted making uncle and I to chuckle.
"I don't need anything my dear " he said
"Alright, in that case I shall take my leave now" I said releasing his hand.
"Okay dear. Take good care of yourself" he said as I made my way to the door with Sophie following me.
"Are you going somewhere?" Sophie asked me. I opened my mouth to let her know that I had plans with Dylan but just then I remembered her saying she liked Dylan and that made me hesitate.
"Not really, just want to go home early" I lied to her. For some unknown reason, I just couldn't bring myself to tell her the truth.
She looked at me for a few seconds before flashing me her signature smile.
"Alright, see you tomorrow bestie" she said and hugged me. After a few seconds, she pulled away and headed back inside. I looked at her delicate frame and felt guilty. I've never lied to my friend before but I don't know what came over me this time. I watched her till she entered inside before turning and heading out. Why haven't I seen or heard from Dylan since today. Let me call him.