Song: Lead Me Out by Martina Stoessel and Jorge Blanco from the telenovela; Violetta

Chapter Sixty-nine: That's why there weren't any carolers at our door

"I don't think my Mum is getting back together with my Dad, so this might be unnecessary." I told Mrs. Nicholas Brooks who was stylishly listening in through the door.

She jumped at the sound of my voice. She looked startled, but calmed herself down. "I do not know what you're talking about."

My smile widened. "Oh no?"

"No."

"So what were you doing then, Mrs. Nicholas Brooks, if you do not know what I'm talking about?"

"I was-"

"Mm hmm."

She glared at me. "I was just-"

"Passing by? With your ears glued to the door?"

I knew I was going to spy on them too, but this was just so much fun. 

Especially with the shade her face was turning from embarrassment.

"Where are your manners young lady?"

I pretended to think for a while. "I don't know. I must have dropped them on my way over here. I could go get them if you want."

She huffed. "Not that it was any of your business, but my husband complained about his door chipping at the sides so I came to check it."

My smile was probably as wide as a Cheshire cat now. "I know I hate biology and I don't really pay attention in class, but I doubt the organ of our body that enables our sight is our ears."

Her face turned red. "You should pay more attention in your biology class then."

And before I could say more, she walked past me and up the stairs. I followed her and made sure she had gone all the way up and to her room, before I went back to the door. How did she not hear my footsteps when I was coming?

I mean, if you want to spy, do it well.

I know right.

I peeped through the keyhole first to see if they were there, and they were. Mum was standing behind the chair in front of him, and he was seated on his chair. I leaned my ear against the door.

"-sit down for the past 3 minutes."

"And I've been telling you the conversation's not going to take long so there's no point in me sitting."

Too bad I can't see their movements and hear at the same time.

"Fine, but before you talk, I just want to say I never meant to hurt you. I loved you, and I still do. What I did back then I promise you was not me. You know me. Then, I got too drunk for my own good and I left because I thought it was better for all of you. Meeting Amelia was by chance, I never used you or anything like that. And Shayna-" He paused. "Please tell her I'm sorry. There's nothing I can do to prevent what I did from happening, I just hope she accepts my apology and one day forgives me."

When he was done with that, Mum was quiet for a while. "I understand. I just wanted to say thank you for housing the kids for the past weeks and..." She paused. "Thank you for agreeing to pay the tuition and fees, but we'll share it, and thanks for buying a house and paying my hospital bills."

"I tried to do that, but the doctor made me split the hospital bill with him for some reason."

"He's my boyfriend."

Dad was quiet for a while. "I'm- I'm really, um, really happy for you."

"You don't sound like it."

"I am. I just-"

"Didn't expect me to move on as fast as you did?"

"Honestly, yes."

"Good to know."

I heard her footsteps, and I jumped back ready to run, but Dad's voice stopped both me and her. "Wait!"

You should leave. This is wrong.

Really?

Well...

I thought so.

"What else? We're done talking. I should go get my kids and go."

"Our kids." He corrected.

"I have refrained from using that anymore."

"And why is that?"

"Because a real father would never leave!" She broke out.

"I left to protect you."

"From what? You?"

"I thought we've been past this."

"We are, but don't expect to just waltz back into our lives with your new family so we can all sing Kumbaya around the campfire."

Hey, I said that.

Like mother, like daughter.

"I don't expect that, but I at least expect us to try."

She was silent and I was ready to run when I heard her footsteps again, but they stopped. "Oh, and before I forget, can I have the phone number of the real estate agent, and the address of the house. I'll take care of the rest from there." She paused. "Oh and an interior designer you know well. God knows we're going to need one. You were never good with designs."

He gasped. "How can you even say that? I did the decorations for our house one Christmas."

Mum snorted. "That's why there weren't any carolers at our door."

This time I was sure she was coming out of the room. I ran down the corridor and dashed into the kitchen because it was the closest place. I sat down there and picked up the cookbook Zane was using. He must have been getting bored up there. My poor sweetie. I started with a few 'ooohs' and 'ahhhs' before finishing with some 'oolalahs'. I heard her footsteps stop at the door.

"If you think after 18 years I don't know you, then you must be mistaken."

I inwardly groaned before turning to meet her amused face. "I do not know what you're talking about."

She started towards me. "Hmm. Now where did I hear that from?" She snapped her fingers. "Oh right. That's what you told Amelia when you caught her spying on us, right before you started spying."

I groaned, outwardly now.

She patted my head. "Now what do I always say?"

I sighed. "Mother knows best."

She grinned. "Exactly. Now go eat the food your Bruny boy snuck up the stairs for you."

My jaw dropped. "Now there's no way you knew that."

She laughed. "I kinda just guessed for that seeing as there's no food anywhere."

I rolled my eyes. "Stop butting." And I stomped out the room, and up the stairs.

By the time I got there, Zane was eating on my bed looking around my room. I grabbed my pillow that was on the floor and threw it at him. It would have hit smack in his face if he hadn't caught it. "What was that for?"

"I bet your lazy ass hasn't started anything."

He grinned and pointed a forkful of lasagna at me. "Ladies first."

*********************

Did you know that packing even the littlest things is tedious work?

If you did, then you're not a very good person because you should have told me before I unpacked everything.

"All done." Rev sighed as she rolled her big box out of her room.

"Let me." Grace told her as she attempted to grab the box from Rev.

"Leave it." Rev told her as she put a hand out to stop her. "Shane or Bruny would do it." She flashed them both smiles.

"What about that your boy toy?" Shane teased.

Rev shrugged. "He's not here."

My brows creased. "Shouldn't you be saying he's not your boy toy?"

"Oh yeah. He's not my boy toy."

She rolled the box all the way to Shane and put it in his hand. "Bruny's already carrying Char's own," she nodded to where Zane was rolling my box out of my room, "Be a doll and take this."

"You can't talk to me that way, but I'll still do it."

"Oh yes you will." I teased him like he was a dog.

I laughed as he glared at me then lifted the box and started downstairs. Zane did the same and Rev, Grace and I followed. Shayna, Mum and Dr. Wallace were already outside waiting for us. Shane and Zane went to meet them, but Rev and I stayed behind. Dad, Amelia, Anastasia and Aaron were already there to bid us farewell. Anastasia and Amelia were obviously forced. 

Aaron ran to Rev and I and engulfed us in a hug. He was mostly hugging our legs, but it was a good sentiment. "I'm really going to miss you guys."

I bent down and ruffled his hair. "We're really going to miss you too."

"And remember our warning, do not bite the ice cream off, lick it. Taking it too fast gives you a nasty brain freeze."

He laughed. "I've learnt my lesson. Promise me you'll come visit."

"I promise that you'll come visit." Rev transformed his words. She looked at the rest of them. "Bye dad." She waved at him, and he waved back. She nodded to Amelia and Anastasia, who was just on her phone. She turned to Grace. "I'd love to see you again."

Grace was about to reply, but one look from Amelia shut her up.

Nasty woman.

Grace just nodded instead. Rev smiled at her and went outside. I turned to the family. I didn't like about half of them, but leaving them after so many weeks honestly felt weird.

I walked up to Dad and smiled at him. "I can't say I'll miss you Dad because I'm pretty much used to the absence, but I'll just say I'm going to have to miss you all over again."

"I promise I'll visit."

I laughed. "I advice against it. Shane would probably light you up with a blow torch before you reach the front door."

He laughed. "As he should."

I smiled at him before walking towards Mrs. Brooks. "All I can say to you is that you shouldn't spy on people. It's a bad habit."

Her face turned red and hot with anger. "And drink green tea so you can look less sick."

I smiled at her and the supposed insult she had just given me. "Thanks for the advice."

I walked towards Anastasia and put my hand on her shoulder. Her eyes turned to it. "That was just a demonstration of how my brother feels when you touch him so refrain from it."

Before she could say anything, I cut her off. "Also, stop pretending you're texting someone. We all know you're looking at yourself with your camera. Even though you removed the clicking sound, you accidentally took a picture and we saw the flash, but Rev could help you out with your pretending to laugh and smile face. She took drama classes."

Now her face turned red and hot with anger as she turned around and stormed up the stairs. I laughed before turning to Grace. I surprised her by engulfing her in a hug. "I'm going to miss you so much. I honestly wish I could take you with me."

She awkwardly patted my back.

I dragged her aside and whispered to her. "I know you can't talk because of Mrs. Brooks and I can't force you to because when I leave, you're going to still be here and I don't want her to punish you, but let me tell you this. I'm going to be back. I'm going to find a way to make you free, I promise you that. Don't stop reading and writing and practicing talking. I left all the notes we used in your shed."

"What are you telling that girl?" Mrs. Amelia Brooks exclaimed.

I turned to her annoyed face. "Nothing important."

I turned back to Grace. "Promise me you'll do it."

"I promise. Thank you."

"What did she say to you?" Amelia's annoying voice rang out again.

"I asked her if she saw my phone, and she told me she thinks my boyfriend took it for me."

Amelia scoffed. "You should probably search her. She might have stolen it."

"She would never do that."

Amelia put her hands on her hips. "And you know this how?"

"Charvi come on!" Shane called out to me.

"I better go." I told her.

And without a backward glance at anyone, I dashed out the door.

******************

I wish I could wrap all sad people in a blanket and make their sadness go away, but I can't. So to all sad people out there, you can wrap yourself in a blanket if no one is there to do it for you. Don't go into depression or any self-destroying act. Stay strong!

P.S.: Sorry for the little motivational talk, I just got a tad bit emotional. Anyways, how was the update?

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