Chapter 5

• Ava p.o.v
• I didn't realize how much I've missed my Mom and siblings until now, the day passed by painfully slow, I've been waiting anxiously for this day. Now I'm sitting in the taxi, my feet bouncing off the floor eagerly as we move down the familiar street I've spent all my life on.
• The three hour ride from the University located in the main city of Seattle is already killing me, and this short ride from the bus stop to our house just seems to be taking forever. This is the time I regret ever deciding to school so far away from home, well, in my defence. I have to be far away because of a particular person.
• You know him, no need for a reminder.
• If I had my ways, I wouldn't be coming back to this place, but I'm missing the people that mean the world to me.
• Finally, the taxi pulled up in front of my home, the single story white building that stood proudly before me. Hurriedly paid the driver, I raced up the small stairs of the front yard of the house.
• The door swung open before I could reach it, revealing the most handsome young man ever, my brother pulled me into a bone crushing hug.
• Wow! guess I wasn't the only one missing them.
• “Hey sis” Alex greets warmly, unwrapping himself from the hug.
• “What's up kiddo” I ruffled his neatly combed brown hair.
• “Not my hair” he grumbles slapping my hand away fixing his hair. He is always careful and angry when it comes to anyone messes with his hair.
• “I'm most definitely not a kid, I'm seventeen” He claims, shooting his chest out to make him look taller and intimidating. I roll my eyes and shove him to the side, then proceed to walk inside. I heard Alex grumble about how I don't know how many girls are drooling because of him.
• He's good-looking for a seventeen years old, but I'm not going to tell him that to boost his already big ego.
• He's even towering over my 5'4 (1.63 m)completely, and has also gained some muscles to compliment his handsome face. I remember before going away to school, some girls from his school, both juniors and seniors wouldn't stop hanging around our home.
• Mom didn't notice though, or else she would have run for the hills. I chuckled softly and walked into the living area to find Grace watching one of her favourite cartoons, vamperina. She's too engrossed in the cartoon to even notice anything in her surrounding.
• Alex and I have being standing behind her for almost three minutes now, snickering at each other occasionally.
• “Boom” Alex's voice rang in the air followed by a fearful scream from Grace, she jumped too oblivious of our presence behind her. She turns around sharply, ready to defend herself. But then race to me the instant she realized I was here.
• “Ava” she squealed joyfully, I picked her up and spun around with giggling. How much I've missed this little beauty.
• Behind me, I hear Alex whining from our loud squealing and excessive hugging, as if he hadn't just almost crushed me a while ago.
• “You came Ava, I've missed you so much” Grace chokes out, swallowing a sob.
• “Hey, I'm here now, okay?” I cooed, running my hand up and down her back, soothing her. I walked to the sofa she had previously occupied and sat down with her still in my arms.
• “Where is Mom” I direct to Alex, his face sour at my question.
• “She's at work and won't be back until eight” Alex almost snapped, not at me, though. I know what's on his mind, Mom should be home taking care of us instead she was working late, now he's stuck with the responsibility of caring for Grace.
• All the credits go to my so-called Dad.
• Who is lurking around drinking and gambling away wasting his life in such unpleasant things, I wonder what he gained from all of that.
• I shook my head, throwing away the useless thought.
• “And Dad” Alex groaned pissed from my question, from the look on his face, he's barely hiding his irritation with Dad.
• “The usual” He spat with venom dripping from the words, disgust, and anger flashing through his eyes. Only God what he's thinking, I pray he doesn't grow up to hate Dad more.
• Suddenly, the front door burst open to reveal a very drunk dad, He staggered his way in, slamming the door lock in the process, startling both Grace and me. Meanwhile, Alex stood still unaffected by him, but one would be able to tell his anger has fueled up by the clenching and unclenching of his hands.
• He was about to walk pass us but halted and glanced my way then turned fully to me, of course I won't go unnoticed. I haven't been in the house for over two months, so it's unlikely I would go unnoticed.
• I groan mentally when his drunkful gaze remains on me, I brace myself prepared for the harsh words he will throw at me.
• But what happened next left me stunned.
• It's not what I've prepared for, more like the opposite of what I'm expecting, it's totally taking me off guard.
• I remain frozen on my spot, still not able to comprehend what just happened, if someone told me before that this would happen. I would have laughed at their faces, telling them to keep dreaming.
• The world's most impossible thing happening is dad pulling me into a hug and saying sorry, it made me almost think he's not my Dad.
• “I'm sorry, my child” His words made me more tense than earlier.
• What happened to the dad I left two months ago, why all of a sudden he is sorry, after all these years.
• Don't blame for being surprise because it's not every day my dad hugs me, heck he never did not any more so why now.
• And now he's sorry? What would that change.
• The damages have already been done, there is no need for all this sorry stuff.
• “I'm so sorry, please forgive me” and like that he passed out on my shoulder.
• Great.
• Now I have to drag him upstairs to his room, which In case is not an easy task. It's just like dragged sack of granite across the road, I shudder at the mere thought of climbing those stairs with him.
• I looked to Alex for help, but I met an empty spot, then the front door slam shot announcing his leave.
• Now I'm all myself.
• I don't know how, but I somehow managed to drag him up and lay him on his bed, I turned to leave, but he caught my hand.
• Then muttered two words before finally slipping into unconsciousness.
• “I'm sorry”
• Quit saying that, I groan inwardly.
• I shrugged his hand off and left, I went downstairs to find Grace continuing watching her cartoon, taking a seat beside her, I blew out an air of relief.
• The silence that has stretched between me and a very focus Grace was rudely disturbed by the slamming of the front door again.
• What's everyone slamming the door?
• “Ava Sophie Marcus” Mom March in towards us like a lightening, a scowl settling on her face with a mindless Alex trailing after her.
• “Why are you out from school” mom seethe, obviously irritated with me for leaving school when it's not a break or holiday.
• “Mom” I pouted like a kid, “I just missed you guys so much” that's not a total lie, I really do miss them.
• “That's not an excuse young lady” she hissed, here we go with her long lecture, she would make a good teacher if she wanted to.
• “Did you even take permission from your department head?” And ladies and gentlemen, that were the bulb go off.
• Crap. I didn't what would I tell her now and lying isn't an option. She would see through me and give me an earful about not rising a liar?
• I'm so dead.
• “You did not” Mom stated, taking my silence for a yes. “How could you be so irresponsible, Ava, I raised you better than that? Do you want to get yourself suspended or even worst, expelled?” I stayed silent, not to prolong the conversation so badly.
• “You're going back on Sunday” Mom declared , leaving no room for agreement. I opened my mouth to protest, but one look from shut me up.
• No need to offend her more.
• ***************************
• “Dad said he's sorry” I brought it up during dinner, dad hasn't said that word in such a long time and sure enough, he wasn't planning on doing so anytime soon. Something isn't right, and Mom knows about it. I just hope she would tell me.
• “Did he say anything else” she narrowed her eyes, but I'm guessing it's not from the beaming light that flooded the kitchen, her b