**Authors Note
Hey, guys, I hope everyone is doing well! I just wanted to ask you guys if you could please leave a vote and comment on my chapters if you enjoyed reading them, it lets me know you guys actually like the chapter. It's hard knowing that I spend my time writing chapters and publishing them for you all to read and they go unnoticed by most. Not only does voting and commenting help me out, but it also motivates me to write more for you guys. So if you can please comment your thoughts and leave a vote after reading I will greatly appreciate that. Thank you I hope you can see where I'm coming from.

Chapter nine of Mr.Popular is a Catfish Enjoy!

//

I was dreading the ride home and dreading what was to come. My brothers' unannounced arrival, my father, and his dirty secrets were too much. For 18 years this man, my father, has been living a double life, was our family not enough for him? Why wasn't he happy? He had a job he loved, he married his college sweetheart, and got the two kids he always dreamt of having. I was confused about what went wrong along the way. I had so many unanswered questions for him but I don't know if I would be able to be in the same room as him.

He cheated on my mother,

on his family,

he was a cheater,

a nasty cheater who destroyed his family

I neared my house and noticed my father's car was gone and Zayn's and my mother's car were parked in the driveway. I shut the engine off and slowly walked to the car holding my belongings and the Tupperware containing some of the cookies we had done earlier. As I walked into the house, the energy felt different, it felt off. I walked to the kitchen and looked over to the open living room area to see my mom sitting down on the sofa drinking some wine. Holding the cookies I walked to her and sat down wrapping my arms around her.

No words were exchanged, I felt her pain and she felt mine, he betrayed all of us. I knew she was hurting a lot more, in my mother's eyes they had a fairytale marriage. My dad always took my mother out on dates and surprised her with small gifts and tons of flowers, he always made sure to do whatever he could just to see my mother's beautiful smile, no matter the distance she felt his love and now everything has shattered, he has left her broken-hearted. I just hope one day someone will come into her life and pick up the shattered pieces.

I know my mom will never forgive him, you know the saying once a cheater always a cheater. There will be no trust, his "job traveling duties will always be a reminder of his double life. There cannot be a relationship if there is no trust.

I have dreamt every night of a marriage like my parents and now I am doubting the meaning of love and if it even exists.

I opened the container offering her some cookies which she gladly accepted. A few minutes went by before Zayn made an appearance and sat with us, both of us holding our mom while we ate.

No words were spoken but our actions spoke for us

We all knew we were hurting

And we all knew at the end of the day we only had each other, we weren't a family of four anymore, we were a family of three. But for the longest time we were a family of three, the only mistake there was the fact my brother was gone and my father was home, it should've been the other way around.

✿❀

The next couple of days were flying by and I had been going back and forth DMing Julian, I didn't bring up anything I had gone through the past couple of days as I was trying to move past it and start fresh with building a new life with just my mom, brother, and I. Julian helped me escape reality for a bit. All my worries were gone when I was messaging him. He made me laugh, and who the hell doesn't enjoy laughing?

We went back and forth messaging and sending each other funny videos and memes and just talking about what we wanted to do in life and then got a little deep. 

Julian- what's something no one knows about you?

Zoe- that's a big question

Julian- I don't do small talk. Come on, I'm genuinely curious

Zoe- okay... I guess I'd say people think I have it all together. Perfect grades, perfect behavior, perfect everything. But sometimes I wish I could break the rules and not care what anyone thinks or the consequences that can come after

Julian- why don't you?

Zoe- because I've worked so hard to be 'the good one.' The idea of messing that up is... terrifying. Like, what if people see me differently?

Julian- maybe that's not such a bad thing

Zoe- easy for you to say. You don't have this image to uphold.

Julian- you'd be surprised. Breaking the rules isn't always about being reckless. Sometimes, it's about finding out who you really are. Want me to teach you how?"

 Zoe-teach me? Oh, I can only imagine what your lessons would be like.

Julian- step one: Stop caring about what everyone expects of you. step two: Do something that makes you happy for a change.

Zoe- easier said than done. What about you? What's something no one knows about you?"

Julian: Let's just say...I'm not always who people think I am

Zoe- that's vague. Care to elaborate?

Julian- not much to say. People see what they want to see—a confident, laid-back guy. But sometimes, it feels like I'm playing a role.

Zoe- that sounds... lonely.

Julian-yeah. I guess it can be. But it's easier than letting people see the messy parts.

Zoe-what if someone wanted to see the messy parts? The real you.

Julian- that's the thing, Zoe. What if they don't like what they see?

Zoe- I think you're underestimating people. Or maybe you just haven't met the right ones yet.

Julian- maybe. Or maybe I'm just scared of what would happen if I stopped pretending.

Zoe- well, you don't have to pretend with me. Just so you know.

Julian- thanks, Zoe. I'll keep that in mind.

I figured the more we messaged each other we could talk on the phone and meet up. He seems like a decent guy, a great friend for starters.

But although I tried moving on and getting my head straight on our new beginning my mind always wanders back to the past, it was impossible to forget. It was weird to take in, the concept that we were no longer a family of four but a family of three. I had yet to speak to Zayn, there were too many mixed emotions whirling up inside me, I should be happy he's home but then again I should be angry he left us and he knew all along.

He did it for his career, he's so close to being a professional baseball player, this is all he wanted and worked for his whole life. He sacrificed his family for his future so he could be set. And it sucks that it took him keeping this all in for him to get what he worked so hard for, what he truly deserved in life. He always had a good heart, and always did right by others, he deserved all the good things he had coming his way.

Yet I didn't know what emotion felt right so I just focused on school and my mom. She took a few days off of work and went around doing what she would've done any other day, cleaning and making breakfast, and then got ready to go to work. But instead of doing it with a smile on her face, she looked and acted like a zombie, when she talked she used a monotone voice rather than her usual cheery and wistful voice.

That man destroyed her happiness

He destroyed her belief in love

But I know that one day a real man will come and show her real love, a love she missed out on for years and my mom will come back stronger than ever

I knew it would take a very long time for my mom to become the strong independent woman she is known to be. I ignored my father's calls and messages. I didn't want to hear any of his lame excuses on why he did what he did.

My parents got married at 24 and had Zayn at 25 then they had me six years later. And since then they seemed to have a fairytale life, but not all fairytales have happy endings, and this just happens to be one of those.

✿❀

Nina had sent me a message asking me to join her at Friday night's football game, this must be the game Miranda was talking about when she confused me being Max. Nina wanted to take my mind off of things going on at home. She was truly a great friend and I will forever be grateful for her. She knew I would've said no just to stay at home with my mom and stay by her side but she went out of her way to talk to Zayn for him to stay home with my mom and be by her side instead.

So here I am now, in my room changing into some light wash boyfriend jeans and a loose t-shirt and throwing on a beanie to cover the rat nest on my head. Before leaving my room I sprayed some perfume on, grabbed my wristlet, and a jacket tied it around my waist, and went downstairs to the living room. I saw my mom snuggled on the couch watching some lifetime movie and Zayn walked out balancing a bowl of popcorn and cookies and two drinks, movie night, I smiled gratefully at Zayn and sat beside my mom and hugged her tight "I love you, mom," I told her hugging her tighter I felt her squeeze my arm and she kissed me on my forehead. "I love you more Zoe, enjoy your night, and have fun. Try something new," she suggested for the first time in her life, closing her eyes she leaned more into me.

"Try something new" was a phrase that was never used by my mom. I was so accustomed to being in a routine of what I had to do every day. This is all I wanted a couple of weeks back and now my mom is giving me the green light to go do something I've never done. I should be happy it's what I wanted but yet that didn't satisfy me.

"Have fun Zoe, try not to get hit," Zayn said with a playful smile and I instantly narrowed my eyes "Don't even start with that," I told him "I'm still traumatized about that day flying ball" I told him remembering the huge lump I had on my head after getting hit with a flying baseball from one of his games. Turns out he was the one who hit a home run and the ball came flying in our direction I was in luck as the ball hit my head and then bounced to my mom's glove she started screaming "That's my boy, you are making momma proud Zayn" after paying attention to Zayn running through all four bases she then turned to me and started to treat my lumpy head. That day I declared I hated any sport that had flying balls.

Flying balls are a danger to society

I kissed my mom on her forehead and I flicked Zayn the bird and stuck my tongue out when my mom wasn't looking. I grabbed the keys to my car and out I went to my first high school football game.

Go crazy

Go stupid

Go Eagles yay!

I hope you took note of my sarcasm. I blasted Old Town Road as I headed towards Nina's house since we were carpooling. As I neared her street I sent her a message letting her know I was outside, Nina tended to be late to anything and everything she attended. It has gotten to a point where I think she will be late for her very own funeral, someway her body will manage to get stuck somewhere along the way leaving everyone wondering when she will arrive. She has tried to set up alarm clocks every five minutes but nothing seemed to work, it was a curse.

As I pulled into her driveway there was still no sign of Nina another eight minutes passed when I saw Nina running out her front door yelling something about stupid alarm clocks never working and then shouting I love you I'm guessing to her parents and ran to the passenger side before tripping on her two left feet but luckily for her, she didn't fall and she got in. She gave me a sheepish smile and held out a plastic container "I got you some iced tea your favorite," she said out of breath. I rolled my eyes and laughed "Thank you, Nina," I said unscrewing the lid and taking a sip of the sweet iced tea her mom makes "Where's the game?" I asked pulling out "It's at Lone Oak," she said pulling up the address from her phone "That must be a lonely school," I joked cringing at the lame joke. "Not lonelier than you," she joked back before giving me a sheepish smile, any other person would've said my joke was lame but not her. We both shared a knowing look before laughing. "You do know who's playing right?" She asked with a small smile forming around her lips.

"Some guys I assume," I answered her while turning right following the GPS orders. "It's your lover boys' game today! Aren't you excited? Have you guys thought about when you're finally going to link up and start the project and have some babies? I am waiting on my nieces and nephews, I am not getting any younger. I want to be that smoking hot aunt that is in every family, that badass boujee aunt, that doesn't give a fuck about anything but her family and her money," She exclaimed loudly.

"Nina I don't plan on getting pregnant anytime soon, I'm still very young. My cherry will not be popped anytime soon nor do I think it will be popped by the one and only Alexander Allen. Let me remind you in case you forgot, Alex has a girlfriend, who will be here cheering him on, on the field. I'm only attending this to try something new I guess," I said as the GPS demanded another right turn.

Damn GPS always demanding shit

"I know he has a girlfriend, but come on, seriously think, him and Amber I doubt that is going to last. I mean yeah she's pretty and she's a cheerleader, she's your typical everyday girl. And she's flexible so she can be bending all over the place and have her leg reach the back of her head, some guys dig that you know what I'm saying? I mean more fun in the bedroom but come on you got it, Zoe, you're beautiful, smart, funny, and kind, the whole package you even have a set future, with Amber though it's a game of eeny meenie miney mo catch a hoe right by her toe," I shot her a look and she looked away "sorry but seriously don't even think about any titles yet, just have fun and whatever happens, happens. If it works out, bitch I will be happy ass bitch and if it doesn't I will still be a bitch and I'd like to be a happy bitch but I'll get what I can. We are getting older every day, we're not going to be able to relive those high school moments ever again, so Zoe, take a risk, live outside your damn comfort zone, and make your senior year one damn year to remember. A year you won't regret, just go with the flow and have fun. You truly deserve it,"

"Thank you, Nina, I won't guarantee any kids coming out of senior year nor my cherry being popped but I can promise I will try on living a little," I told her pulling into a space in the rival school lot while she leaned over the center console and wrapped an arm around me "You girl, are my best friend, well no you're my B-F-F-T-L-E-W-E-D" she said loudly before opening the door and me following her actions.

Best friend for totally like ever without exception duh

I cringed and murmured a sorry remembering how I interrupted her moment with Noah at the party. Remind me to never drink alcohol if I'm around boys and Nina's crush. "No worries my baby daddy Noah and I have been texting back and forth but nothing will probably come out of it, Michelle did a number on him, I don't think he will be getting into a relationship anytime soon, so I'm not even going to bother. I mean yes I have a huge crush on him and he will always be my baby daddy but we started as friends, I have to accept that we are only going to be friends, nothing more. Guess who has been hitting my line?" Nina asked pulling out the football game tickets and giving them to the security officer who double-checked the items in on wristlets before letting us into the stadium.

Home of Loneliness

I mean Home of the Hawks

"Liam Hemsworth," I answered instantly and she rolled her eyes before answering "I feel disrespected I am most definitely an Alex Pettyfer type of gal thank you very much, but no neither of those hunks been hitting my line, it's Max, he has been messaging me quite a lot I don't know what to think of it," she shrugged.

"Is that right? This might mean you will be getting some play sometime soon," I said smiling at her and giving her a knowing look. "No no no I doubt it, plus he annoys me there is no way, and with that obnoxious cockiness he has going on already without getting a taste of this coochie I don't think I can live with that. I cannot give him my coochie, this shit is top-notch ok, not just any boy can get this," she said seriously waving her hand and motioning her body. "You are damn right our coochie is top-notch that shit pisses rainbows and diamonds. But you might say that now but you might be eating your words back one day. At the end of the day, the coochie knows what it wants and if she wants Max she will be getting her command granted. The coochie, the brain, and the heart all think differently," I told her giving her a slap on the shoulder "Good luck on that though," I laughed as she pushed me softly.

Purple, gold, and black were the color scheme of the whole school. We continued walking making sure to stop and buy some hotdogs and some sodas before heading towards our seats.

"On the bright side there's a lot of eye candy here," I said getting away from our conversation about Max pulling her closer to me as we walked I felt her stop walking "Let's take a picture," she said pulling her phone and snapping a quick selfie then she turned the camera to me and took one of me smiling with the field behind me. We then continued our journey to the lower bleachers on our side of the field. As we sat down I took a breath in and looked in awe as the stadium was filling up with both students and families of both teams. "You are damn right, there is some eye candy here," she said eying the boy who just sat before us before shooting me a wink.

And just like that, the stadium filled up completely and the announcer was already on the speaker introducing the two teams from the two schools. And the crowd cheered and booed.

When each team was announced again this time they both made an appearance running out to the field. They ran through the banners the cheerleaders were holding threw their hands up and cheered along with the crowd.

What was the point of making a banner if they were just going to run through it and rip it?

I spotted Alex and his friends as they removed their helmets and started giving a pep talk to their teammates. I turned and saw Nina unscrewing the top of her soda lid discreetly and got up. She looked down at the boy who sat in front of her and "accidentally" tripped on her feet and dumped the majority of her soda on him "Oh my, I am so sorry I'm such a klutz," she said fake worrying the boy turned around in his seat looking annoyed at first before he saw her face completely smiling at her "come I'll help clean you up I'm sorry," Nina said nodding her head and hurriedly started walking back where we came from leaving the boy to trail behind her leaving as the game started.

Leave it to Nina to find a new eye candy and make a move right. I wish I was as bold and brave as her. And with my amazing luck getting lost in my thoughts wishing I was as bold as her, a football came my way and smacked me on my head.

"Oh come on," I yelled angrily glaring at all the football players on the field.

How the hell did a ball end up flying in my direction?

All I know for sure is I hate balls

But maybe not a certain pair of balls if you know what I'm saying

Hehe

Someone please come and collect me I need to be stopped, this is not allowed

✿❀✿❀✿❀

You have reached the end of chapter nine my friends. I'm back with another update 3900+ words!

Did you enjoy this chapter? What are your thoughts?

The question I have for you this week is...

What is one thing you are terrified of happening to you or a loved one?

Definitely getting kidnapped and then being sex trafficked, I always make sure to check my surroundings to look out for anyone who may be following me and always check the back seat of any car I am getting into. The world is crazy out there so stay safe!

On a heavier subject, I want to send my condolences to everyone who was affected by the recent tragic events that have taken place these past few days and months. I am saddened at the number of lives lost, something has to be done, this isn't ok. Innocent people's lives are being taken, they are robbed of their lives because of one individual's actions. Action must be taken and consequences for those at fault have to be taken. People need to start opening their eyes and see what the real problem is and do something about it. I pray every day and hope that one day this world we live in will be safe for now and for future generations to come. We should not live in fear.

For those who were or might be affected by Hurricane Dorian stay safe, be prepared, and remember to protect your pets too! If your family decides to leave DO NOT leave your pets behind take them with you or find a proper shelter for them where they will be taken care of.

That being said I'll see you soon

Please show this book some love by leaving a comment and a vote. If you're up to it give me a follow as well

Let's get this book to 1k reads!

Take care- Chels <3