When my dad finally told us what the police had said, he seemed relieved.
"They arrested a thief here this morning. He was stealing things from the backyards in the neighborhood."
As soon as he finished speaking, I felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders. Actually, all of us did.Adam went to change his clothes so my dad could drive him home. He didn't want to go, but my dad was firm about it.
"All set, sir," Adam said when he returned, dressed and ready.
"Let's go, Adam. And you guys are going home too. There's school tomorrow." Everyone agreed with my dad, said goodbye, and left in a little line. It was almost funny.
When my dad and Adam left as well, I looked at the pool area and noticed it was a little messy. I started helping Abigail clean up.
"You don't have to, sweetheart."
"Of course I do! The cleaning lady only comes in two days."
We talked a bit while tidying up, then I went upstairs to take a shower. Afterward, while brushing my hair at the vanity, my phone rang. It was Chad. I answered right away.
"Hi."
"Hey, Mia. Are you really okay? We didn't get to talk properly."
"I'm fine," I replied.
He mentioned that I should talk to my dad about going bowling on Saturday.
"I better not get on his bad side," Chad suggested.
I agreed and said I would ask for permission.
We talked for a while. He told me he's studying Mechanical Engineering at the Florida Institute of Technology. I thought it was really cool, since it's a well-known university. I told him that I want to study Veterinary Medicine, and he suggested I apply to the University of Florida and Florida A&M University, since they aren't too far from where I live. I liked the idea — it was time to start thinking about that anyway.
After some more chatting, he asked about Brandon.
"He was staring at you a lot," Chad said.
I told him he was imagining things. We went back and forth like that before changing the subject again. He told me he lives with his mom and siblings: Amber, who's 8, and Will, who's 13. I asked about his dad, but he said it was a long story. I could feel his discomfort even through the phone. We said goodbye. Talking to him felt so good… He was so sweet. I think something bigger is growing inside me, but I didn't know how far I was allowed to let it go.
When my dad came home, he called me for dinner. Abigail sat with us at the table. During dinner, my dad seemed uneasy. Noticing that, Abigail placed her hand on his and asked:
"Is everything okay, Mr. Luck?"
He smiled and replied, "Call me by my first name."
Abigail looked flustered.
Then my dad asked, "Mia, did you know Adam has a brother who uses drugs?"
Abigail covered her mouth, shocked.
"No, Dad…" I said.
He continued, "Yeah… I talked to his mother. Such a kind woman, very humble. His brother came home all messed up, and she told him to take a shower. I could sense something was wrong, and she explained that he's been a drug user since he was fourteen, and she and Adam suffer a lot because of him. I told her I was really sorry. He's only about eighteen and already so fragile… Adam was visibly shaken. I felt sorry for him."
As my dad spoke, I noticed tears forming in his eyes. Abigail asked:
"And their father?"
"I didn't ask, but it's clear they're on their own. Adam is a really good kid… I like him," my dad said.
"Me too," Abigail added.
I told them I also thought he was amazing. After that conversation, we finished dinner in silence. I went up to my room and cried for Adam. He didn't deserve any of that — I had no idea what he was going through.
I got ready for bed, and then Brandon called me. I answered, and he said he thought I'd look for him after the rejection I had given him.
"It was my dad," I corrected.
He said he wouldn't give up on taking me out. We talked a little more and hung up. I didn't have much to say to him, or maybe his conversations just didn't interest me.
When I was almost asleep, my dad came into my room with a cup of tea.
"Honey, it's chamomile. You seem anxious, and Abigail said it helps you sleep."
I drank the tea while he sat on my bed and said, "I scheduled a psychologist for you. I don't know, I think it's time. Therapy is good, everyone should do it."
"I don't think I need it…" I replied.
"Yes, you do, Mia," he insisted.
I had no choice but to agree.
"Drink it all," he said, kissing my forehead. When he was about to leave, I took a deep breath and asked:
"Dad?"
He turned back to me.
"Can I go bowling with my friends Saturday afternoon?"
He asked which friends, and I said, "Emma, Adam, and Chad…"
He repeated Chad's name and said, "I like him better than that spoiled Brandon, but I hope it's just friendship. I saw the way you two look at each other."
I got so embarrassed my face burned. Before I could say anything, he added:
"I'll think about it. I'll give you an answer tomorrow night."
"Thanks, Dad," I said.
"Good night," he replied, closing the door behind him.
I took a deep breath and tried to sleep. The tea practically knocked me out, but I had a dream… or I don't know if it was a dream. The window was slightly open, and I woke up to the sound of wind. I got up to close it and, when I looked outside, the hooded man was across the street. My heart raced, I couldn't breathe. Then my body gave out, and I don't remember anything else.
The next morning, I woke up with my dad shaking me. I was lying on the carpet near the window.
"What happened, sweetheart?"
"I don't know, Dad… I think I fainted."
"Oh my God! Abigail!" he called out.
I tried to stand up, but he stopped me.
"Easy."
I touched my forehead and felt something. When I looked at my hand, there was dried blood. Abigail rushed over.
"Mia!"
They put me in bed and cleaned the wound.
"Are you sleepwalking?" Abigail asked.
"I don't know," I said.
"You shouldn't go to school today," my dad suggested.
"I need to go."
"It's not deep. Let her go, but schedule a doctor for this afternoon. I'll take her," Abigail said.
My dad agreed. "After the doctor, you're going to the psychologist too."
While they decided what to do with me, I stayed quiet. I wanted to say it was too much, but I was scared. I got ready for school, and my dad drove me. He was so worried… Emma and Adam were waiting for me. When I saw Adam, I hugged him, but he didn't react.
"Did I miss something?" Emma asked.
"No… And don't get jealous! He's like the brother Florida gave me," I said, smiling at Adam.
He smiled back.
"Your dad told you, right?" Adam asked.
"Yes… And if you ever want to talk about it, I'm here."
Emma watched in confusion but didn't ask anything.
"Oh my God, what happened to your forehead?" she asked.
I explained everything while we walked to class. Once we sat down, Adam took a deep breath.
"Feel that peace? No bleached blond and no angry dude," he joked, referring to Katty and Wender.
But unfortunately, Wender arrived late — but arrived. Class went by smoothly, but when school ended and we were packing up, he walked up to Emma.
"Bye, Emma. Miss the lake house," he said, taking one of her pens and staring intensely.
Emma said nothing. Adam stood and stepped closer, eyeing Wender with anger.
"Guard dog now?" Wender mocked.
Emma snatched the pen from his hand. Wender smirked and left. As he walked away, Adam yelled:
"Leave her alone!"
Wender responded without turning around:
"Hard to forget something unforgettable."
When he was gone, Adam asked Emma:
"What is he talking about?"
Emma avoided his gaze, grabbed her stuff, and as we walked out, she muttered:
"I don't know. He's crazy."
We left together, and in the parking lot, I saw Abigail waiting with the driver. But I also saw Chad on his motorcycle. He waved for me to come over. I whispered to Abigail to give me a minute, and she nodded.
As I was walking toward Chad, almost reaching him, Brandon suddenly appeared holding a bouquet of red roses.
He hugged me and said, "Hi! I wanted to surprise the most beautiful girl in Florida." He handed me the flowers.
I stayed silent, just smiling awkwardly. I heard Chad's motorcycle rev. He sped out of the school like a rocket.
My heart dropped. He was definitely upset by what he saw.While Brandon stared at me with a smile, all I could think about was how to tell him I didn't want to be more than friends.Was it time to finally be honest with him?