"Look who finally decided to show up." My dad said.

Ethan went running towards him and hugged him. 

"How are you, my boy?" My dad asked him. 

"I'm great. When did you come?" Ethan asked.

"Oh. Just an hour ago. Your mom told me that you had gone for a treat with someone." He replied, referring to me. I walked towards him. 

"Hi, dad. How are you?" I greeted him.

He turned to look at me. He scanned me up and down. And then he turned back and started talking to Ethan. I could feel a warm liquid forming in my eyes. He just ignored me. I couldn't stand it. I went running upstairs, into my room and locked my door.

I started crying as soon as I sat on my bed. How can he just ignore me? My dad and I are not on good terms. He was not always like this. He used to love me a lot when I was a kid even though he used to always be away from home. I remember him taking me to parks to play, bringing lots of candies, and playing with me whenever he used to get a chance. 

But now he just ignores me. He doesn't like the fact that I am in the gang. My mom never told him about the gang. She only told him after they were married for two years. My dad was a bit heartbroken that my mom didn't mention it to him before. And my dad doesn't like the gang part of my mom. But he loved her. And that's the only thing that kept him from divorcing her. He made my mom promise that she would never tell Ethan about it.

When he understood that I joined the gang, he started ignoring me. Whenever he comes home, refers to me as a third person. I hate it when he does that. He shows no love for me and it hurts. A lot. 

Whenever I see him, all my good childhood memories flood back into my mind. And then it hurts even more. He loves Ethan a lot. He always brings a lot of gifts for him and I am left empty-handed. I hate the way it hurts. I still love him.

**********

I don't know how much time went by. I was still in my room. All my tears had dried out. I heard a small knock on my door. 

"Nessa, you there?" I heard Ethan's concerned voice through the door. "Mom has called you for dinner." 

"I am not hungry. Leave me alone." I growled. 

He just agreed and went away. He understood that I need some time. He knows that my dad doesn't speak to me. And even though he doesn't know the reason, he always calms me down. 

I get up from my bed and go and wash my face. I change into some comfortable shorts and my blue t-shirt. I plop on my bed, take my pain killers, and drift off to sleep.

**********

Today is Monday. And I finally get to go to school. After the situation on Saturday, I didn't get out of my room much on Sunday. I knew that if I go down, my dad will ignore me. And I can not handle watching that. 

I stayed in my room, completed my missed assignments, and watched The Vampire Diaries for the whole day. And now I am finally ready to get back to school. The cuts on my stomach have not healed yet and there is still this protruding bandage on it. So I decided to wear something loose.

I got changed and went down for breakfast. As I entered the kitchen, I saw my dad sitting there, talking with mom. I just turned and walked towards the door. I'll buy something on the way.

"Where are you going without breakfast?" Ethan asked me. He has a very bad habit of stopping me whenever I head out for something.

"School?" I shrugged.

"Without breakfast?" He raised his eyebrows.

"Dad's sitting in the kitchen. So I am in no way interested in going there. I'll buy something on my way." I answered.

"Sure? You'll have to send me the picture of the bill as proof that you've bought something to eat." He ordered.

"Seriously Ethan! I am not five. And you know I can't live a second without eating so obviously I am not going anywhere without eating. I am not going to do anything that childish. So I am leaving before I eat you." I said and stepped out of the house.

**********

I reached school and parked my car. If you're wondering, then yes. I did buy a bacon sandwich for myself on the way. And I did not send a picture of the bill to Ethan. I got out of my car and saw Selena, walking towards my car.

"Hey. How are you?" She asked.

"Yeah. I'm fine. Thanks for your help that day. I could have been dead by now." I shrugged.

"Seriously. If again utter that stupid word, I'll kill you." She slapped me on my arm.

"No. You won't." I smirked as we walked to our lockers. Claire, Tessa and Abby came up to us.

"Hey, Nessa! How are you?" Claire was the first one to speak.

"Yeah, you had a bad fall," Tessa said.

"You deserved it. That's what you get for not inviting us for a sleepover." Abby playfully glared making us all chuckle.

"Yeah. I'm fine guys. I just can't believe that I missed school for four whole days. It's not even a month since school has started. And here I am. Missing school." I sighed.

"It's okay. Cheer up a little." Tessa said.

"Let's get to class," Selena suggested.

"Yeah. I can't wait for that." I chuckled as I and Selena made our way to our Chemistry class.

**********

Half the period was over and I was very happy to be back. That was until the class was interrupted by an announcement.

"Ms Vanessa Macbeth. Please report to the Principal's office. Now." I look at Lena with a confused expression. She is having the same expression on her face.

"See you later," I said to her as I packed my bag and left the classroom. As I was walking towards the office, I see something in moving in the corridor. Someone. I saw Stefan kissing Sarah's face. Mire like sucking her face. Eww.

"Get a room!" I mumbled as I walk past them. And they both stopped. No. Stefan stopped, which made Sarah angry and a smirk climbed it's way up to my face.

"Princess!" Stefan called for me. Not again.

"I don't have time for your stupidity Stefan. Continue sucking her face." I glared at him and moved out of there.

I reached the Principal's office and I knocked at the door.

"Come in." A voice comes from inside. I open the door to see Mr Henderson sitting there.

"Come, have a seat, Miss Macbeth." He said and I sit down.

"So I have heard that you were not well for a few days. How are you?" He asked.

"Yes sir. I tripped down the stairs. But now I am fine. Thank you for asking." I politely answered.

"Great. But that's not the reason I have called you today. You know that like every year, The girls and the boy's team have a homecoming soccer match." He said.

"I am aware of that sir. And we have already started the practice."

"The thing is that this year, the opponent school's team, the Campbell High School, has a problem. Their school's girl's team is not complete this year. Due to some personal problems, many of them have quit the team. So that means that the girls' team will not have an opponent-"

"-and we won't have a homecoming match." I completed his sentence. This was my last year and we are not playing.

"If that's all, can I get back to my class?" I asked him in a sad tone.

"Miss Macbeth. I know you are disappointed that you don't get to play but you can still participate in the homecoming by helping with the decoration. The decoration team might as well use a great hand like yours." He suggested.

"Of course, Sir. But it won't be the same as playing on the field for the school." I said that and walk out of his office.

As soon as I was outside, the bell rang. I started walking towards my locker to keep my books when I was suddenly pulled in a corner by a strong hand around my stomach. A very sharp pain rose in my stomach making me wince. The person realized that and loosened his hand.

"Princess, you are you okay?" Stefan asked. The pain in my stomach was still rising. And it was this idiot's fault.

"Will you stop doing that!?!" I shouted at him, gaining the whole school's attention. Great move Vanessa. Not helping, brain.

"Hey. Calm down, Princess. Are you okay?"

"My name is Vanessa. You are not allowed to call me that." I spat at him.

"Are you Ok? Why didn't you come to school for the past few days?" He asked in a concerned voice.

"It's none of your business. Stop acting as you care. So stop. Acting. Like. You. Care." I shouted at him. The rising pain in my stomach was feeding to my anger. His expression changed and I could see hurt in his eyes. But it is quickly replaced by anger.

"Look. I care, okay? How much ever cold-hearted person I may seem, there are a few people for whom I care. So stop talking to me like this." He shouted, the tone of his voice making me flinch. I started to feel some warm liquid around the cuts. Oh no.

I look down to see blood on my shirt. White shirt. Note to self- never wear a white shirt when you are hurt. I quickly hide it by my red jacket and start running towards the girl's washroom. I hear Stefan calls behind me. Did he mean what he said?

A/N:

Hey guys!

Hope you like the chapter...

What do think about the relationship Vanessa has with her father? 

And what do think Vanessa feels about not being able to play for the homecoming?

See you soon...