Two

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VOTE please!

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Spending half my Saturday packing and the other with the girls watching movies on the couch with pizza and junk food we didn't necessarily need, I fall asleep at almost midnight, cursing at myself for staying up so late.

Three hours later, the alarm yells in my ear, reminding me that I have no choice but to get up and board a plane to a place completely foreign to me.

A few knocks on my door later, my mother sticks her head inside, blinking a few times as she attempts to wake up too.

"Honey?" she calls softly. "Are you awake?"

"Yeah mom." I tell her, groaning and stretching.

"Alright, come on, we gotta leave in thirty minutes. It takes an hour to get to the airport. Your plane leaves at 5." she reminds me, not that I need a reminder.

"Okay." I sigh, forcing myself out of the bed, making it and going into my attached bathroom.

After using the toilet and brushing my teeth and hair, I throw the last things into my toiletry bag and place it inside the suitcase that carries a blanket and pillow that I use more than the others. The blanket is light but comfortable and the pillow is one that I use every night.

"Are all your bags ready?" Alejandro asks, entering the room after knocking.

"Uh, yeah, you can grab them, everything's right there." I tell him, pointing at the bags before reaching forward and grabbing my carry on. "Except this one."

He nods, grabbing two of the three and starting down the stairs with them.

My mother comes in a moment later, grabbing the last bag and carrying it down to help him.

As 3:30am rolls around, I climb into the passenger seat of the car after giving my step father a hug for the third time. My mother climbs in the driver's seat, putting the car in reverse and starting towards the airport.

"I know you're not too excited to be going, honey, but this'll be good for you. Maybe you need some time away from the girls too, y'know?" she says, trying to make a point.

"Yeah, sure." I reply, shrugging as I'm too tired to argue her point.

Arriving to the airport, my mother goes through security and luggage with me before we stand in the middle of the waiting area next to my boarding sight.

"Alright, I want you to text me when you get there. That way I know you're okay and that you found your dad. He'll be there to pick you up from the airport." she says, flattening my hair and placing my cheek in the palm of her hand. "I love you, okay?"

I nod. "I love you too."

"Okay, try to have some fun. And go easy on your dad. He's trying." she says.

I nod again, this time rolling my eyes.

She giggles, pulling my face close and kissing my cheek. "I love you baby."

"I love you too." I repeat, giving her a small smile and mumbling a bye as she walks away. Letting out a deep sigh, I plop down in one of the uncomfortable chairs, waiting until my flight is called.

After four and a half hours of attempting to sleep but having absolutely no luck, I climb off the plane with my carry on backpack sitting comfortably on my back. Immediately, I begin to look around, not sure if I'll even be able to recognize the man who helped create me.

"Hadlee!"

I turn at my name, noticing my father's facial features accompanied by some scruff I'm assuming he doesn't shave anymore. Biting my lips, I make my way towards him huffing a breath as he opens his arms for me. "Let's just go." I mumble, walking past him and towards the luggage pick up area.

Once getting the suitcases, my father takes two while I roll one behind me, making it to the car five minutes later and put my things in the back before climbing into our seats.

"It's really good to see you, Hadlee." he says, glancing over as he gets on the highway. "I mean, I know we haven't spoken in a long time but I'm excited to have you here."

I nod, staying silent with my lips pursed and my phone in my hands. I unlock it, wanting nothing more than for him to stop talking. I open my messages with my mother. I've made it. In the car with him now.

Before long, my phone vibrates in my hand, indicating a new message from my mother.

Good. Don't forget to give him a chance.. He's trying honey. Don't judge on what he's done in the past. People may not change but they grow.

I roll my eyes at my mother's small lecture, typing a short message and sending it while praying she'll drop the subject. Got it, mom. Thanks.

I wait a moment although after a moment, I understand that she knows I don't want to talk. Instead, I open my messages with Camila, sending one to let her know I had made it to my dad as well. Hey Cami, I'm here with my dad. He keeps telling me how excited he is...

Within a few seconds, my phone vibrates against the palm of my hand, letting me know she's surprisingly awake.

Maybe he is? I mean, I remember your dad. You're his little girl I'm sure he missed you.

I sigh at the message, typing back an answer and sending it before I can stop myself. If he really cared he wouldn't have cut contact with me in the first place.

A hand reaches over, pressing my hands down to my lap, causing me to immediately scoff at the action, turning my head to look out of the window instead.

"Hadlee, listen, I've talked to your mother. I know you're not happy to be joining us for the summer. And I would be lying if I said I didn't know why. I know I hurt you when I cut contact with you and your brother. But when your brother moved in with me, I realized that I was wrong to do what I did. That's why I talked to your mom about you coming this summer. I want to work on our relationship. Now, I still have work and all but I want to make time for you too. So, please, Hadlee, give me a chance. Give this a chance." he says, practically begging.

I shrug. "Okay."

"Just remember, I am still your father. I'm in charge. And I can assure you that the attitude you have now towards me will not be accepted." he says, his voice becoming more stern... almost like it was when I was little.

"Okay." I say shortly, still not in the mood to talk.

I really just want to be in Texas with my friends right now anyway.

"Oh, and can you at least try with Annabell and be nice to your little brother. He was so excited when I told him you were coming." he informs me.

"I'm not gonna be a bitch to them dad. Don't worry." I tell him, looking out of the window.

"Language Hadlee." he says, his tone warning.

"Mom let's me-"

"Your mother allows you to use foul language as long as it is not towards her and Alejandro. The same rule applies here. Foul language is not accepted towards me or Annabell." he claims.

"I didn't curse towards you, dad, I said I wasn't going to be a bitch. That's technically cursing towards myself." I say, rolling my eyes.

He lets out a breath, obviously becoming irritated as he swerves the car to the side of the road, facing me. "Is this how it's gonna be Hadlee?"

I don't answer, instead continuing to look out the window and into the thick trees surrounding the area.

"I already told you, Hadlee. I asked your mother to send you so that we can have a relationship again. So that I can try to make up for the time that I cut you out of my life for selfish reasons." he informs me, his voice stern yet shaky, almost broken. "I don't want to spend this entire summer arguing with you Hadlee. You're here now. This is happening. You might as well try."

I remain quite, unsure of how to respond to his small speech.

After a moment, he takes the hint, sighing heavily and starting to drive towards his home.

Although he is partially right, I'd never allow myself to admit that to him. To give him that sense of power that I try so hard to keep from anyone around me. But he's right. I am here for the summer and I might as well try. I just don't want to try with him. He doesn't deserve it.

I look down to my phone in my hands, remembering my phone had gone off and Camila had responded yet again.

Come on Lee, don't be too hard on him.

I roll my eyes at the message, locking my phone and huffing out a breath, staring out at the dreary day in Stratford, Ontario.

Arriving to my father's home almost twenty minutes later, he parks in the driveway, seemingly right after a blue minivan where a little boy jumps out of the backseat, running towards the door and then pouting back towards the van.

A woman with blonde hair rounds the car, grabbing a couple grocery bags and her purse out of the back seat and smiling in his direction when my father exits our vehicle and the attention is turned to him.

(Hadlee's Father's Home: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=KTqdw4vcDkE&utm_source=4 | Copy & Paste the link to see the gorgeous house. Hadlee's is the upstairs bedroom *decorated differently soon* )

I'm assuming that's Annabell.

"She seems upset." she tells him, glancing at me.

"Yeah, she's not too happy to be here." he gruffly responds, opening the back of the car while I slowly climb out of the passenger seat, throwing my backpack on my shoulder and moving to the back of the car.

"Don't worry about it." he tells me softly. "I'll get you the bags."

I lick my lips, nodding silently and allowing him to grab two of the three bags. Instead of making him come back out, I grab the third, shutting the trunk afterwards and making him furrow his brows at me as I round to the front of the car. "What?"

"I told you I'd get it." he states, confused.

"It's one bag. I'm not handicapped I can grab at least one bag." I inform him, walking past and finding myself at the front door in no time. I gulp down a lump in my throat, pushing the door open and fumbling to get the bag into the entrance hallway.

"Got it?" a sweet voice asks, making me turn forwards and see Annabell sending me a small almost sympathetic smile.

"Um, yeah." I nod, my face probably blank as could be. I let go of the bag, licking my lips before holding out my hand. "I'm Hadlee."

She smiles, this time more genuine. "I know. I've heard a lot about you, Hadlee. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I'm Annabell."

I nod. "It's really nice to meet you too."

She grins as my father fumbles in behind me with the two other suitcases.

"Reece!" my father calls, making the young boy run around the corner and look up at him.

"Yes daddy?"

"This is your sister." my father speaks, gesturing towards me.

"Hi Reece." I say, looking down and grinning at him.

"Hi!" he says excitedly, jumping. "Will you play with me?!"

"Umm-"

"Let's let Hadlee get settled in first honey. Maybe she'll play with you later." Annabell says, cutting me off and ruffling his hair.

"Okay!" he says, running off.

"Sorry, I would play with him I'm just really tired." I inform her.

"It's fine. I know it's probably been a long day for you. Maybe try to take a nap before dinner? It should be around six." she informs me, a polite smile playing on the corner of her lips.

I nod. "Yeah, okay."

"Come on, I'll show you your room." my father says, pulling the two suitcases behind him as he climbs the stairs, me following after him with mine. "Here you are."

I step into the room before him, licking my lips and glancing at the plain walls and bed.

"I know it's pretty blank but Annabell offered to take you out this week to get some things to decorate. She took off tomorrow and Tuesday in case you wanted her help." he informs me, setting my suitcases inside. "The sheets for your bed are there. There's blankets in the closet until you get a comforter and everything."

I nod. "Okay, thanks."

He nods, letting the awkward silence lather us before excusing himself and making sure to tell me to ask if I need anything.

I shut the bedroom door, looking around and opening my closet to see it's a walk in. Small, but still a walk in. I then open another door, noticing I have my own bathroom and inwardly thanking my father for giving me one.

I wonder why Maverick doesn't have this room.

I shrug the thought away, deciding to try and get some sleep before dinner that'll be another five hours from now.

Who knows? Maybe I'll get five hours and finally catch up on how much sleep I lost last night.

Opening the one suitcase, I grab my pillow and favorite blanket before putting the sheets on the bed, followed by the things I brought from home. I then grab my charger, plugging it into the wall and setting my phone on the white bedside table, closing my eyes and curling into a ball.

Sleep and you don't have to worry about not being at home.

Blinking my eyes open as I'm shaken softly, I turn are rub the sleep away, seeing my father not a moment later.

"Dinner's ready." he informs me, rubbing my arm once more gently and leaving the room to allow me to get myself up.

I sigh, staring at the ceiling for a moment and forcing myself out of the surprisingly comfortable bed.

Soon, I find myself downstairs after redoing my messy bun and wiping the small amount of mascara that had found its way under my eyes away. Sitting myself at an empty seat, I glance around as everyone starts to eat.

"Where's Mav?" I ask.

"Oh, he's not home for dinner very often." Annabell informs me, smiling softly.

I furrow my brows, confused as to what she means. "Why? Doesn't he live here?"

My father chuckles. "Of course he does. He just doesn't spend much time here other than sleeping. He works a lot. Crazy hours. And when he's not working he's hanging out with his friends."

"I miss Maverick!" Reece comments.

"I'll pass that on." Annabell winks to him, making him giggle and continue eating.

"So, what does he do?" I ask, chewing on a piece of pasta I had shoved into my mouth.

"A lot of different things." my father shrugs.

Why won't they just tell me?

Something's going on here.

Regardless, I let go of the topic, eating the rest of my dinner in silence and offering to help Annabell with the dishes afterwards. She allows me to, having me dry after she washes them.

Soon enough, they went to bed and Reece was of course asleep as well.

Unlike how I'd hoped, my nap keeps me up a while, the time reaching eleven thirty before I even realize.

Almost as if eleven thirty was on cue, the front door opens and shuts.

Getting up in a hurry, I rush over to the door and swing it open, quietly making my way down my stairs and looking as he heads towards I'm assuming his room. "You're not even going to say hi?"

"Jesus, Hadlee." he breathes, jumping and turning around to look at me. "I thought you weren't coming until next week."

I shake my head. "Nope. Today."

He sighs, scratching the back of his neck. "Well, hi. Shouldn't you be in bed? It's late."

"I'm not twelve, Maverick. I stay up." I shrug, leaning against the wall next to me. "Plus I took a nap when I got here."

He chuckles. "Yeah, but you're not twelve."

I give him a look. "Teenagers take naps all the time."

"Well, I didn't and I'm exhausted so..." he sighs. "Goodnight."

I nod, letting him enter his room and shut the door before rolling my eyes and entering mine again. I shut the door as well, going over to my bed and scrolling on my phone before turning off the lights and forcing myself to sleep. 

***

Happy Tuesday!

Thanks for reading the new chapter!

please vote and leave a comment if you will;)

QUESTIONS:

1. Where do you think Mav is?

2. What was your least favorite and favorite parts?

3. What do you think/hope will happen next?

much love,

shan:)