“Where the hell have you been,” a voice asked from the dark living room at my left.

“Damn,” I muttered. My mom always seemed to catch me whenever I returned from a late night out. Did she honestly have nothing to do but wait for me to come back? I thought about it for a second. Nope, it was probably a choice between getting her nails done for the third time this week, reading some crappy magazine, or this. Unlike most people, my mom does nothing productive or at least exciting on Friday nights. Although if you were to ask her, she’d tell you about how much fun it is to her all the gossip from the employees down at the salon which she visits at least five times a week.

“Answer me,” mom demanded, rising from her chair to show herself more clearly. I frowned; she seemed a lot angrier than normal.

“What’s the matter? Catch dad making out with the secretary again,” I inquired to which she raised her hand and slapped me. Rubbing my cheek, I gave her a disgusted look. For the past year, yes people I said year, my dad has been cheating on her with some college intern/secretary at Kimz, a popular shoe company he created in 2000. They stopped keeping their relationship a secret about a month after they first started dating. My grandparents knew, all the employees knew, and my mom knew, too. That day, Dad had opened the door with Midori, the intern, clinging onto his waist, right in front of my mom and walked past her without saying a word. And you know what she did? She grabbed the car keys off the side table and went out to get a French manicure. Six months ago, dad kicked her out of the bedroom so Midori would have somewhere to sleep when they had one of their overnighters and mom was moved to the guest bedroom. Did my mom bother to complain? Nah. As long as she got the credit cards and her precious black Audi, she was content. I’ll never be able to forget her for not standing up for herself and just taking that shit.

“You have no right to speak to me that way Alexandria. I want you to go up to your room this instant,” she instructed, trembling with anger. Sometimes, it looked like she took out all her rage on me, but I didn’t care this time because she just fell into my plan unknowingly. Mom had just sent me away, completely forgetting about the reason why I was breaking my curfew. Climbing up the stairs, I thought back to my crazy night. Now, she’d never figure out that I’d spent the last five hours at some club in Chicago, smoking cigarettes and hanging out with a couple of twenty year olds who programmed their numbers into my cell before I left. I’d give it two or three days until I got a call Colin, the tall dirty blonde one, who was all over me when we were dancing.

When I got to the correct door, I turned the knob and went straight to the bed. All that dancing had worn me out and it was 4:54 in the morning. I collapsed on top of the silky covers, not bothering to pull them down and kept my black and white lace dress on. The only thing I managed to do was kick off my heels that had pretty much killed my feet.

---

I felt someone shaking me, trying to wake me up. Slowly, I lifted my eyes and stared at the intruder who was disrupting my beauty sleep.

“Wake-y. Wake-y, Andria,” she called, still shaking me. I cringed at Midori’s nickname for me. Even though I’ve discussed with her before how much I despise that name, she refuses to call me anything else. “I heard someone got in late last night and is getting their punishment this morning.” I rolled my eyes as she playfully pinched my cheeks. I swear she is the most annoying twenty-four year old on earth.

“Only two more years until I’m out of here. Only two more years,” I chanted quietly, attempting to control my nerves.

“What was that?”

I ignored her question. “I thought you promised you’d never come in here again.” Midori looked up at me with her innocent, green eyes.

“I don’t know what I ever did to you that makes you dislike me so.”

“Well, obviously, it couldn’t be the fact that you stole my father away from mom and completely ruined my life,” I said sarcastically.

“Well if that isn’t it, what did I do?” I checked to see if she was joking. She wasn’t. In a swift roll, I spun out of the bed and landed, ungracefully, on the opposite side of the bed. Midori clapped her hands at my artful performance and left the room, reminding me to come down in twenty minutes to hear what my punishment would be. Glad to have her of my personal space, I cut on the stereo with my iPod already docked and danced to my favorite song (Kelsey by Metro Station) as I pulled on some reasonable clothes.

Had it been two in the afternoon, I might have been able to jump down the steps as I normally did but seeing as it was barely seven in the morning, I focused all my attention into making sure I didn’t trip over anything on my way down. Groggily, I walked over to the huge oversized kitchen and greeted Drakeson, our chef, who took a quick second to smile back at me and then returned to mixing ingredients in some bowl. Whatever he was making, it smelled delicious. I can’t wait ‘til breakfast, I thought.

As I got closer to the breakfast room where a huge oak table sat with a holding capacity of twelve people, I noticed three others had already arrived.

“Honey, sit down,” my dad requested. Already, I was eager to sprint out of the house and drive back to the clubs. I couldn’t bear being anywhere near my father; the only reason I stayed here was that it was a free bed and free food. Again, I prayed that time would magically speed up to my senior year when I could graduate and leave this place. I will admit that I’d miss Drakeson’s meals. Maybe I could get him to secretly send them to me…

“Alexandria, Chip asked you to sit down,” my mom said, snapping me back into reality. Frankly, I wouldn’t have minded zoning for a bit longer. I could already tell this was not going to be a happy, family conversation. I rested down on a chair across from Midori who was grinning stupidly. How she can be that pumped up on a Saturday morning is a wonder. This hasn’t been the first time I thought she might be the Energizer Bunny reincarnated.

“I heard you got back at 4:49 last night,” dad continued, glaring at me. I nodded; it wasn’t as if I could deny it. “What happened to our 11pm curfew?”

“What happened to your marriage vows with mom,” I asked. I waited for him to respond, but I only saw his face grow redder and redder. “Sorry dad, I was looking for ‘they both got broken.’ Feel free to try again next time, though.” Placing my hands on the table, I lifted myself up and headed toward the door, not bothering to look back at my father’s expression.

“I’m not finished young lady.”

“Too bad, I am.”

“Please, come back sweetie. We have something further to talk to you about,” my mom pleaded. I sighed and joined them back at the table.

“Okay, fine. I’m listening.” Some form of silent conversation interchanged between my parents before mom finally spoke up.

“We’ve-,” she began before dad interrupted her.

“We have a…present for you,” he finished. I raised my eyebrows.

“Well, if you get in a habit of awarding me every time I break curfew, I may have to make it an everyday thing. So…what’s this little gift of yours,” I asked. My mom was eyeing my dad. He sighed, paused to think, and continued.

“You’ll receive your present after lunch. Go get dressed up so your mother and I discuss a few minor changes in your…gift.”

Frowning, I left the room with Midori at my side. “I wonder if they are changing the gift wrap on your present,” Midori squealed in excitement. How she can get that worked up over some wrapping paper is a mystery.

“How did you graduate from college again,” I asked, genuinely curious.

She put a finger to her chin and thought. In the end, she gave up and said she couldn’t remember. “Andria, can I pretty please pick out your outfit,” she begged, tossing me one of her infamous puppy dog eyes.

“If you really want to,” I replied hesitantly. Although she had an outstanding taste in clothes, I was reluctant to have her back in my bedroom.

---

“You look so adorable, Ann,” Midori stated, watching me twirl around in a black, flared skirt with floral embroidery that I borrowed from her closet, a white tank top from my drawer, and a tight fitting pin-striped jacket that mom had given me last week. I decided to let that new nickname go since she had picked out this whole ensemble for me. As much as I hate to say it, she did an outstanding job.

“Thanks,” I responded. Without warning, she ran and hugged me real tight. Slowly, my back relaxed and I let her hold on for a while longer. “You know, sometimes, and I repeat sometimes, you’re not that bad. Or it could be that someone slipped me some pills last night.” Midori was smiling until the last part. Deciding not to take my last comment too seriously, she laughed it off.

“Let’s go back downstairs now. I can’t stand waiting for your surprise any longer.”

“Do you know what it is by chance?”

“Not a clue. Chip wouldn’t tell me.” She pouted for a bit before grabbing my hand and pulling me down the stairs. “I think I’m more excited about this than you are.”

“I wouldn’t doubt it.”

“You’re turning sixteen in what…two months? Maybe they bought you a car.”

“Could be but I didn’t see any of them holding car keys.”

“Maybe it was a new cell phone?”

“Nope. They just gave me this new Smartphone which I know cost a whole lot more than some pocket change. It’s probably going to be something really small.”

“It’s summer. They could have gotten you a swim suit! I saw this cute, light grey tankini that would look great on you. I was going to give it to you as a back-to-school present, but maybe your parents beat it to me.” I smiled. Even though Midori can annoy the hell out of me and she was as smart as a rock, she’s one of the most generous, selfless people I know. Ick. Since when have I ever complemented her on anything? I’m not sure I like this whole ‘bonding/ lets all get along’ thing going on here. She’s part of the reason my family is all messed up, I reminded myself.

We were now standing outside of the breakfast room entrance. “Ready,” I asked. She nodded enthusiastically and gently pushed me inside.

“Alexandria, you look gorgeous,” my mom said, expressing her approval. Chip grunted in agreement.

“Midori helped me pick it out.”

“Well it looks lovely.” There was an agonizing silence that followed.

It was Midori who finally broke it.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t wait a moment longer. What’s this present that Ann had to get all dolled up to see,” she questioned. Mom was a bit surprised by Midori’s new nickname, but recovered quickly afterwards.

“Your…gift is behind these doors,” mom answered, pointing to the gigantic double doors to my left. I furrowed my eyebrows; I didn’t remember ever opening those doors before.

“Open it,” dad directed, becoming impatient as I stood gawking at the thing.

“Oh. Right,” I murmured, reaching towards the cold brass handles. I twisted them and gradually pulled it open. The door was heavier than I expected.

My eyes widened and my mouth dropped. I heard Midori aw in the background and my mom suck in her breath. A guy stood in front of me. He was about seven inches taller than me with really dark brown hair and caramel skin. Washed out jeans hung of his waist and he wore a red Ohio State tee. This college-aged guy could definitely have been on the cover of any teen magazine I’d seen.

“Nice to meet you, Alex,” the stranger greeted, downing a cute grin. Even his smile is hot. And Alex sounds so good coming out of his mouth.

“Nice. Meet. You,” I said, jumbling up everything. Isn’t that a beautiful first impression to make? Now he probably thinks I’m some idiot! “Um, I meant to say nice to meet you too. Sorry.” He smiled again and I sighed happily.

“Let me introduce you two,” my dad suggested, making the hottie advert his attention away from me. “Alexandria, this is Isaac. Isaac, this is my daughter, Alexandria.” I frowned. Isaac was not going to work; it didn’t fit him at all.

“Actually, I prefer being called me Zak,” he corrected. Now that’s better. “Sorry about calling you Alex earlier.”

“No, I don’t mind you calling me Alex,” I said, dismissing his apology.

My dad gave me a quizzical look. “You threatened to kill me when I called you Alex last week.”

“If you were to call me that, I would kill you,” I muttered. Zak must have overheard because I heard him snickering softly.

“Wait a second. I’m confused,” Midori said. Like that’s so hard to believe. “Is he the gift?”

“Midori actually has a valid point there. Where’s this gift that I had to dress up for,” I asked, turning back to stare at my dad.

“Zak is the…gift,” he answered.

“Now I’m the one confused.”

“Don’t worry about it, sweetie. Right now, why don’t you two try to get to know each other better? You can show him to the tennis court,” mom said.

“Is this some kind of parent arranged engagement thing going on because I heard those don’t work out too well,” I guessed, teasingly. “And frankly, I’m not sure I’m ready to be a wife yet.”

“No, you aren’t going to marry him. Your father and I just want you to be friends, at least, for the time being.”

“And after that?” I saw my dad smirk from the corner of my eyes.

“You’ll see,” he replied mischievously before leaving with mom and Midori.

“So…,” Zak began, looking at me uncertainly. “Tennis?”

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