That One Girl #Wattys2017

Chapter 9: FaceTime with Grandma

We had moved to New York to escape my old life, and while I didn't want my dad having to switch centers they were stubborn, saying they couldn't handle their sweet angel being misused like that. I had hugged them and we had a family night but when I got into bed, I still felt the guilt pooling in my stomach, strong enough for me not to fall sleep.

Now, as I was running on the pavement barefoot, pushing through the strangers who were swarming the sidewalk, I thought that the move amounted to nothing. I was still being 'misused', I still felt that familiar tug in my heart, the clogging of my throat, when I tried not to cry because of humiliation and embarrassment.

I felt the wetness of my cheek against the cold wind, but I raced the wind, not bothering to shout sorry to the people I pushed out of the way. I slowed down, walking with my head down as I let tears stain my cheeks, forgetting about the happiness and joy I had felt when I left for this supposedly wonderful dance.

I scoffed out loud, watching my feet climb the now familiar steps leading to my house. I did everything calmly, even though my head was a jumble,and my face definitely looked terrible, and my heart was in shambles. I was very sensitive which I hated about myself. The fact that I cried if someone else cried, or if someone embarrassed me.

When this happened to me for the first time, I thought they were just joking around, playfully teasing and taunting me, but it continued and soon enough it was part of my everyday routine. Rather sad when you think about it. Fortunately, though I didn't notice, my mom was in her room, and my dad was at work. It was 9 p.m. as I searched the fridge for ice cream. Of course, when I wanted some we didn't have any, so I settled for the family bag of Cheetos.

My room wasn't particularly messy, so I jumped onto my bed, grabbing my laptop on the way. I chose to not go onto any social media in case they uploaded the video on there...oh shit. They probably did. I clenched the bag of Cheetos but immediately stopped when I heard a crunch. I tore open the bag and reached my hand in.

Once I had stuffed a handful into my mouth and was chewing, I hesitantly logged onto Facebook. As I saw my news feed, the first thing that popped up was my startled face. How fucking beautiful is my face? Look at it, eyes wide, mouth open; beautiful. I didn't click on the video but scrolled down to see the comments.

lol, what a dumb-ass --Ava McDonald

Can someone actually be that stupid and naive?-- Millie Arrington

Such nice people we have in our generation.

I closed the tab and sighed dropping back onto the bed. I watched the ceiling, listening to the traffic on the city streets. The words repeated in my head; dumb-ass, naive, stupid. It wasn't the first time I had been called this obviously, everyone's been called stupid at least once,  serious or playful.

In fact, I wasn't sad anymore, I was annoyed and angry. Who the hell did these people think they were? Judging me because of one video that a popular jerk had posted. It's always funny when you're the one watching, not the victim. I used to watch in elementary school as kids made fun of others, not caring that the child was sobbing and embarrassed beyond belief.

After all, that's the point of bullying; make them embarrassed and cry like a baby.

I sat up, grabbing the last Harry Potter book I was re-reading. I clutched my bookmark as I got lost into the amazing world where you didn't need to learn math, forgetting the problems that were clouding my life. Reading had always helped me when I was upset, my mom used to tell all the guests how I would stop crying if my mom started reading a book when I was little.

I'd just smile and join in on the laughter, not caring because my mom wasn't trying to embarrass me, though that might not seem to be the case. Of course, that is the case with Shawn Evans.

People always listen to sad music if they're sad, happy music when they're happy, slow music when they're sleepy, and the list goes on. I'm the exact opposite, why would you want to become even more sad? If you listen to happy music, it'd make you happy faster than Adele can while singing "Hello, it's me."

I laid down to sleep, trying to forget my life and drown in nothingness.
***
The next day was thankfully a Saturday, so I woke up at 11:30 a.m. My mom had probably gone out with dad for grocery shopping. They did this every other Saturday, a tradition not ever broken.

I moaned and sunk my head deeper into my pillow, trying to go back to sleep. The silence annoyed me, droning on and on, my breathing sounding loud. I heard the jingle of keys and my parents' bantering as they entered the quiet house.

"Sweetheart, just let me carry it."

"Sweetheart, stop being sexist."

"How in the hell is that sexist?"

"It's sexist because you don't think I'm capable of carrying a bag of groceries!"

"I'm just trying to be chivalrous, alright?"

"Well, stop trying."

I heard my father gasp loudly and kiss her, my face changing into a grimace automatically at the sound. I admired how even after 16 years of marriage, it still seemed like they were in their 2nd year of marriage. Their bantering always amused me, especially when my dad decided he would cook and my mother fussed over everything he did.

I felt the pounding of their footsteps as they passed my room to go into theirs, smiling when I heard my mom telling my dad to, "shut it" since I was sleeping. I quietly moved around so I could get my phone.

11:41
Saturday, September 2nd

Whatever, I'll get up at 12. I clutched my phone to my chest, closing my eyes, about to fall-- brr brr brr

What the hell is this thing doing? I opened my eyes, groaning when I saw that my grandma was requesting to FaceTime me. Crap.

I quickly got out of the bed accepting the call and turned to the mirror, fixing my hair to look presentable. I picked up the phone, pasting a smile as I saw my grandma moving around the iPad.

"Grandma, stop. It's fine...Hi I can see you."

"Ah! There's my beautiful granddaughter. Look at you, you have bags under your eyes. Give it to your mother, I knew she wouldn't parent you right!" She ordered, pulling the iPad down so I could see nothing.

"She has parented me wonderfully grandma. Trust me, I'm getting A's and I don't say bad words." I reassured her, lying my ass off. I had 2 B's and I said some bad words.

"Well, that's true. How's your father? Is he still a sexist pig?" She sneered, looking away and shaking her head.

"He let Mom carry the grocery bags today morning."

"Oh, look at that he's learning. Good man your father." She smiled.

Damn, what the hell? One second sneering, next second smiling. Old people.

I laughed, and grinned at her. She smiled back and then hung up. No bye either... Can you feel the love tonight? I set my phone down and walked into the bathroom to brush my teeth.

Today was going to be a good day.
***
Sup? So, I'm not going to be able to upload a lot considering I have to finish my English project, study for my history test, and read on Wattpad. :P But, I will try to write after school before I do my homework, so I'm pretty sure you'll have the next chapter in 5 days or so.

See you my lovelies, share, vote and comment please! They make my heart happy ❤️