No Way Out | Teen Wolf & The Vampire Diaries

Chapter 9

The next morning, I learn that school has been cancelled for two days as the authorities attempt to locate Derek.

I try to cover up my puffy eyes by applying lots of mascara and dark eyeshadow. I tie my hair up into a messy bun and change into a cream turtleneck knit knee-length dress, black stockings, and Converse.

I pack a water bottle, a packet of mixed fruit and nuts, my History and Economics homework, a book, my journal, the set of pens Allison got me for my birthday, headphones, my iPod, my wallet, and my phone into a tote bag for the day.

I so desperately need to get out of this place. It's suffocating me. I sling the tote bag over my shoulder and open my windows to air my room out.

Planning to get breakfast at the local café, I open the front door quietly, hoping to avoid everyone.

"Nylah, sweetheart?" dad's voice calls, "Where are you going??"

I spin around. Mum and dad are standing in the entrance to the kitchen.

"Oh please, like you two care," I answer. I'm careful to keep my cool façade up even though my heart is aching.

Mum's nostrils flare as she gazes at me, furious. "Nylah Thea Argent, how dare you talk to us with such disrespect!?? And what on earth are you even talking about, anyway? You're making no sense."

My eyebrows raise. "That. That is the exact reaction I expected. I suppose you never noticed your subconscious bias towards Allison all these years, did you? Well, I did. And it hurts."

The shock on their faces confirm my thoughts.

"What? You thought I'd be able to handle last night better than Allison just because I've been exposed to it? You couldn't be more wrong. I'm not a machine, I'm a sixteen-year-old girl who needs her parents!!"

"This is nonsense!!" mum objects, her eyebrows furrowing more, "We have never treated you different!"

"You have!!" I cry out, tears welling in my eyes. "It's not that you've treated me poorly, you haven't. You've given me everything I've ever needed. It's just that you treat Allison differently... you're more protective of her. You have more regard for her feelings."

I exhale a shaky, frustrated breath, suddenly uncertain of whether I'm overdramatising everything.

"Nyla—" dad starts as he strides towards me, guilt etched all over his features.

"No," I say, holding my palm out to stop him from approaching any further. "No. No, dad. Don't. Please." He stops walking. I swallow heavily. "I'm tired, okay? I'm tired of everything." My voice wavers at this confession. "I'm going out."

I walk out the front door and shut it, sniffling as I make my way to the café.

***

Blissfully, I spend the whole day reading, studying, journalling, doing homework, and exploring the town, uninterrupted.

At 5 p.m., I walk home from the library and slink back into the house.

I prop my tote bag against my bookshelf and notice a bouquet of pink and yellow tulips in brown paper wrapping on my desk. My favourite.

A note is attached to it:

Nylah,

Nothing could ever compensate for how your mother and I made you feel, but I hope we can make a start.

Lots of love,
Dad

I take a shower before sinking into my bed, thinking intently about everything. Despite it being really early, I pass out quickly, exhausted from the events of the past couple of days.