I went out into the courtyard for lunch and sat down next to Bailey, pooped.
"I'm so tired. How long til we can leave school?"
"An hour." She replied as I whined.
"Hey, no whining!" She scolded.
"I'm sorry, ok! I just... I just want to go home. I got to discuss something with my parents. I heard them arguing the other day about mom's online store. Something about moving to California. I just hope I can fix this." Bailey looks sympathetic and nods. I think she's like me. A strange feeling that everything can't be fixed...

~An hour later~

I return home exhausted from school, it appears neither of my parents are home. Great! I say to myself as I grab a snack and start my homework.

~45 minutes later~

I hear the door open and finish the last of my math homework to see who it is.
"Hey, sweetie!" Mom says with a smile, looking up at me from downstairs.
"Hey. Whatcha got there?"
"Our dinner and other groceries. Want to help me?"
"Sure." I say coming downstairs, careful not to slip on the stairs from my black socks. It was interesting. If there was Mom and I shared, it was a love for cooking and food. I leaned against the counter, awaiting her instructions as she put the groceries away.
"Didn't change out of your 'school clothes' I see?" She commented, side glancing at my outfit.
"Yeah. I just forgot about it because I was so tired." Mom nodded silently, grabbing the food for dinner.
"I swear, you where the same thing everyday!" Mom says looking down at the food smiling. I glance down at my outfit.
"Doesn't everyone in this town?"
"Touché." She replies with a small smirk.
"So, can we start cooking?" Her smile and eyes brighten as she nods, and we get started.

~Time skip~

"Hello? Addy, Zoella?!"
"We're in here, dad!" I reply, waiting for the timer to end for dinner as mom chops up vegetables.
"Hello you two! How are my two beautiful girls today?" Dad says, kissing the top of mom's head, getting no reaction, which surprised me. She's usually smile or something along those lines, but, no... not today. Dad, feeling a little dejected, then turned to me.
"Got any homework that you need me to you with?" Dad asks and I shake my head.
"Good." He replied, kissing my forehead as I beam.
"Hey, by the way, where were you?"
"Football practice. It's our first game of the season, we gotta prepare, Zoe!" Dad says in a joking manner which makes me chuckle.
"Dear, the timer's gone off." Mom deadpans. Confusing me even more. O...kay then? I take the food out and place it on our dining table and beam at my parents who are both now smiling. Thank god that's over! I think in relief that my mom is back to being her cheery self.
"Oh wait! I forgot something upstairs, I'll be right back!!" I say with a smile, carefully running upstairs.

Was it wrong of me to use that excuse just to try and figure out what was happening with my parents? Probably, but at least it wasn't a total lie. I did need to get something!

"Addy, talk to me. What's wrong?"
"I don't know. My husband isn't supportive of the idea of moving!" Mom quips sarcastically.
"Addy, you know I don't-"
"No, Zed! That's exactly what you-" She sighed to compose herself.
"Zed, I love you. And you love me. Why can't we just put this behind us? Why can't we just go to California and see what happens?" Mom asks, her voice full of compassion this time.
"I... I don't know if it's a good idea." Dad replies hesitantly. I hear mom's footsteps go towards the living room.
"Addy, what are you doing? What about dinner?"
"I'm not hungry, thank you, Zed!!!" Mom yells, and I quickly rush to my room to find my thing before dad sees me.

I came downstairs seeing dad leaning his arms on one of our dining room chairs.
"Dad? You ok?" He turns to face me.
"You didn't hear that did you?"
"Hear what?" I lied, my heart practically leaping out of my chest.
"Well... never mind. It's not important, let's just eat, Zoe." Dad said with a small smile masking his pain.
"What about Mom?" I ask already knowing the answer.
"She's," he hesitated to answer looking over to the living room, "not hungry." I nod slowly and we sit down to eat. I decided to not ask my parents that day. It was far too tense and awkward to ask.

Author's Notes

I think I'll make this longer than five chapters like I originally planned. I might have to drag it out longer for the sake of character development and story. Hope you enjoy! I also wish school didn't have to come tomorrow :(
Bye!
BatgirlGeek❤️