GreenView Heights
23/01/2016 11:30am
Kacee POV

Nerves had flooded my system. It had started last night and continued through to this morning. Rochelle had called me an hour ago to confirm that Mum and Dad were on their way. It was like the president was visiting. I hoped the commotion wouldn't bother my neighbours. I was up early, scrubbing the appartment from top to bottom.

Yesterday I'd nipped out and bought some biscuits and some expensive tea. I wanted to show that I was an adult and that I could be trusted. In all honesty, I probably came across as childish. Fifteen minutes passed and I opened my front door, slipping into the hallway. I rapped on John's door, but got no answer. I don't know why I was knocking. I just wanted to see him and that sounded even more pathetic.

"He's gone out." A voice said and I spun round.

Terrance was ambling up the hall with a grin plastered on his face. I guessed he'd seen us spending time together. I smiled to hide my disappointment.

"Oh, well, thanks Terrance." I mumbled, and the elderly man nodded.

"If I see him before you then I'll let him know you was pining for him." Terrance smirked.

My face went bright red and I hurriedly blurted out a load of excuses, ranging from I borrowed some sugar to some other unintelligable things. Terrance shook his head and chuckled. He carried on up the hallway, before pausing.

"You seem skittish, Kacee," He said. "Is everything all right?"

"My Dad's visiting today." I murmured, and he seemed to understand.

"Don't worry. I'm sure it's easy to say, but don't panic." He reassured me.

I opened my door and slipped back inside, pacing about the appartment. Fifteen more minutes dragged by and I went to the window just in time to see the limo pull up out front. This sent me into full blown panic. What was Dad thinking bringing the limo? From my view I could see people stopping and staring at it.

The doors opened and I could see the small figures of Mum, Rochelle, and finally my Dad. I stayed by the window until I saw them disappear. I waited for what felt like an eternity. My doorbell went and I rushed over, flinging open the door. Mum was the first to greet me. She was dressed in her favourite skirt suit with matching designer heels.

She flung her arms round me, peppering my face in kisses. Rochelle was next in. She nodded kindly and then my Dad appeared in the archway. My Dad looked every bit the congressman. He was wearing his Armani suit and Italian shoes. His hair was ashy blond and combed neatly. He never made a move to hug me, instead I moved aside to let him in.

"Your furniture looks lovely in here, darling," Mum gushed. "We made the right choice."

Rochelle was standing nearby, nodding along with Mum. Dad was exploring, taking in the appartment that his money payed for. I decided that wouldn't last much longer though, but getting a job was proving quite difficult.

"Tea?" I asked.

"Of course. You know how I like it." Mum smiled.

Rochelle came with me and helped. She seemed fairly relaxed, but stopped me from leaving with Mum's tea.

"Are you all right, Kacee?" She asked.

"Yeah, I just don't want to fight with Dad today." I whispered, and she smiled, grabbing hers and Dad's mugs.

I gave Mum her cup and set the plate of biscuits down. Dad had finally sat down. Rochelle and I sat on the couch with Mum.

"It's lovely, isn't it?" Mum said to Dad.

"It is a good choice for you, Kacee." He agreed, sipping his drink.

Mum seemed to sense the ice breaking and began chatting animatedly. Apparently there was another gala taking place in two weeks. I hated those things. Everyone put on airs and pretended to be someone they weren't. I certainly would not be attending.

"Kacee, I would appreciate it if you went to this particular gala." Dad said, and I nearly spat out my tea. He never usually wanted me to go. What gives?

"I don't normally go." I replied.

"True, but one of my supporters is going, very high up man and I want you to meet his son." Dad continued.

I set my mug down. It stung that Dad was just using me as part of his campaign trail. i glanced at my feet then looked at Mum. She looked helpless and I got the sense they'd been arguing about it.

"I don't really want to meet his son, plus I've met someone here." I said. I knew it was partially a lie, but Dad would never know.

"Really?" Mum butted in, looking ecstatic. It was a miracle to her that her bookish daughter was finally dating.

"I'm sure this boy here is very nice, Kacee, but the young man I want you to meet is the heir to a famous computer maker. He has a very bright future ahead of him, as do you. I don't want you hanging around with the wrong sort whilst living here." Dad shot back.

Rochelle bit her lip, not speaking. Mum looked furious, but she too, said nothing. She just wanted me to lead a normal life and so did I.

"John is not the wrong sort. He's a great guy." I seethed.

"As I said I'm sure he is. Most of the youths around here seem great, but most of them are thugs, Kacee." Dad replied.

"He's not a thug. Why do you always try and control me?" I yelled.

"I'm just doing what's best for you." Dad said, calmly. He never became angry.

"No, you've always tried to control me." I fired back.

Dad drained his cup and stood, motioning for Mum and Rochelle to stand too. He frog-marched them to the door and ushered them out, before turning to face me.

"Kacee, I would urge you to reconsider the gala and to cut ties with the young man you're dating." He said, simply, then left.

I slammed the door and slumped down against it, sobbing into my knees like a child. How dare he order me around. I stayed on the floor for about ten minutes, toying with the plush carpet. Eventually, I got up and made myself a sweet cup of tea and perched on the couch, sipping it in silence. Someone tapped at my door and I stood, setting the cup down.

I unlocked the door, hoping it wasn't Dad coming back for round two of the arguments. Instead, I was face-to-face with Terrance. He looked deeply concerned about me. He'd obviously heard the door being slammed and I felt so guilty about being such a nuisance.

"I just came to check on you," He said. "Also your boy's back."

"Thanks, Terrance, and I'm fine. We just argued." I murmured.

Terrance sighed and patted my shoulder. He left and I glanced at the door opposite my own. Should I really bother John? It seemed rude. He probably didn't want me on his porch, wailing like a banshee. Nevertheless, I shut my own door and walked over, tapping lightly on the wood. I waited for a few minutes then I heard movement.

The door flew open and I was so happy to see John. He looked bewildered by my presence. Probably becasue my face was red and my eyes were puffy.

"Hey, you all right?" He asked.

"No, not really. My Dad visited and-" I paused then. "I'm sorry I shouldn't be bothering you."

Before I could make a hasty retreat though, he grabbed my arm, pulling me into a hug. My eyes widened in shock and I could hear my heart palpitate in my ears. My face was burning.

"Why don't you come in." He said.

I swallowed my nerves and nodded. This would be the first time I saw inside his appartment. John let go and I trailed after him. His appartment wasn't much different to my own, just darker. He disappeared into the kitchen and I was left in the lounge. I glanced around at the walls. There were some framed movie posters and across the way I noticed a large shelf.

I stepped over and frowned. There were no drawers or shelves on it. Instead there were slits in the panelling and I reached out, pressing one of the buttons. The panel slid open and my eyes widened even more. Guns. Two of them. They shone in the dull light of the room. I pushed the panel back, deciding to pretend I hadn't noticed.

John reappered with two mugs of coffee and I rearranged my face into an uneasy smile. Why did he have guns? Did he like to go hunting? Where would you hunt in New York? I sat down on the couch.

"So, this is the first time I've been in here." I murmured.

"I don't invite many people in." He shrugged.

"But I'm special?" I smiled.

"Yeah, it's not everyday a girl cries on my doorstep so you're pretty special." He replied.

"I wasn't crying." I shot back.

"You look like one of those blow-fish." He laughed, puffing his cheeks out.

"How rude." I said, giggling.

"I meant it as a compliment." He said.

I sighed and took a sip of my coffee, wondering if he'd ask about my Dad. I suppose I'd have to tell him now, given that he'd seen me crying.

"So, your dad?" He asked.

"Yeah, he's always tried to control me. Nothing is ever good enough for him." I replied.

It still hurt. i didn't want to go to that stupid gala and I didn't care whether I sounded petulant.

"Has he always been like that?" John asked.

"Yeah, but he's gotten worse since his campaign started." I murmured, and glanced up at him.

Those brown eyes flitted with some unknown emotion and I suddenly felt a little nervous as though I'd revealed something I shouldn't have.

"So, is he a mayor, or something." He asked.

"No, my Dad's running for congress. You might have heard of him. His name's Kenneth Hanley." I replied.

His reaction was muted and I really hoped any mention of my Dad hadn't scared him off.

"I think you should go." He said, meeting my eyes.

"Did I do something wrong?" I murmured, staring at the floor.

"No, love." He replied, but didn't even look at me.

I set the mug down and left then, feeling a little confused by the cold reaction. I turned to say goodbye, but he was already gone. This time I cried more. I shut the door and slid down, burying my head on my knees. My Dad had managed to scare off a guy without even being here. Dad would be so happy. Now I could meet his friend's son.

I managed to drag myself to the couch and stayed there the entire day, watching terrible B-movies and eating ice cream.

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