FATE

50. Bruno

BROOKE

The next few weeks after the visit to the hospital go by pretty quickly. Homework was done, tests were taken. Senior year js on it's way and after that, college- but I've never been one to get ahead of myself. I lookforward to the summer, dark green leaves and blooming flowers; vibrant trees and baby blue skies; no school, no work.

The atmosphere at Preston's during it's final week was oddly buoyant, a sense of freedom hanging in the air, so close that it was easy to taste. The seniors were graduating and it was evident when all I saw were posters on the wall and yearbook sale reminders but one thing stuck in my mind all through final week while my peers made plans to run for class office.

Summer with my Dad.

"Dad!", I nearly jump off the bed when his face appears on the screen.

He chuckles, "princess", his voice is coarse, just the way I remember it.

My father has a different family, his wife and my stepmother, Anne is the happiest woman I've ever met. She's a chef who runs a food blog and youtube channel where she posts the "prettiest delicacies" as Blake calls them. Blake and I warmed up to Anne pretty quickly, particularly because she fed us a lot but Blake wasn't as welcoming when it came to Thomas, our stepbrother.

"How are you?". My Dad asks.

"I'm fine, you hardly ever call", I complain, "I didn't get to come see you after the accident, thanks to mom but you didn't pick my calls either"

He clears his throat and looks away from the screen, "I'm so sorry Brooke. I took a lot of time resting when I got discharged and had to go to work immediately"

Of course he would make excuses, but I don't say that.

"How's work?", I change the topic.

He smiles appreciatively, "it hasn't killed me yet so it's fine"

"I called to remind you...", I grab a fistful of bed sheets in my hand, "...that I'm coming to stay with you this summer"

He raises his eyebrows in shock, but he drops it almost immediately, "I don't..."

"...think that's possible?"

I try to hide my reaction but I'm sure he catches it anyway, "Anne, Thomas and I are in Africa right now"

"Africa?"

He nods, "family vacation"

Family. I thought I was his family too.

"Okay", I say, "it's fine"

"Brooke"

"It's fine Dad", I force a smile, "I think I'll just stay here in Boston this summer"

"You can go spend some time with your mom"

"I can't believe you would even suggest that", my voice comes out a little louder and harsher than I intended.

His shoulders drop, "I'm sorry"

"I have to go", I say, "bye"

I hang up before he can say another word, and then I collapse on the bed. I release my grip on the sheets with a heavy sigh. I don't know how to describe what I feel right now but I'm pretty sure it's close to sadness.

I've picked my Dad over my Mom every single day since the divorce and I've loved him with my whole heart but lately, I can't help but feel like the only actual family I have is Blake- and it shouldn't be like that, it should be different.

But it's not.

I grab my phone and stare at the screen. Jonah hasn't texted me back since Friday and it was the last day of school. He was pretty happy about it, he said he was going to celebrate. I wonder how long celebrating takes.