5A/N: Just a little one shot I thought of after I watched a movie. This is probably what I'd do if my dad told me something like this. But you know, that's just me.
I pressed my foot down harder on the pedal, pushing the car to eighty. I eased on the gas as I saw my exit coming up. My fingers thrummed on the steering wheel, I couldn't stay still, and the anticipation was nerve wracking.
My gaze was fixed on the clock, which read 2:23 in bright blue numbers. My stare down with the clock was interrupted by a honk from the car behind me. I looked up at the stop light and realized it was green. I continued on down the road and turned onto my dad's street. I was coming from my mother's house, two towns away.
The week before my father had called me, asking me to come down to apartment; he and Regina had something they needed to tell us kids. I concentrated on the road and breathed slowly.
Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out.
I winced as the bottom of my car scraped the concrete of the drive in at the apartment parking lot. I pulled into a space and tore my seat belt off and yanked my keys out of the ignition. I threw the door open and accidentally bumped the car beside me. I didn't leave a dent or a scratch but it was enough to make the alarm go off. I looked to the left, the right, and then behind me, checking for any signs of the owner.
"Oops," I whispered. Grabbing my purse, I slammed my door shut and took off, pressing the button to lock my car up as I ran up the steps.
I pushed the door bell twice and slumped up against the wall beside the door. I let out a whoosh of air as I tried to catch my breath. As I heard the door unlocking, I stood up straight and pasted a smile on my face only to see my step brother, Liam.
"Oh," I said, not bothering to hide my disgust for him, "it's you."
I shoved the younger boy aside and stepped into the cool apartment. I heard Liam scoff behind me and close the door.
"I saw that," He said, walking up behind me.
"Saw what?" I asked innocently. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
The alarm had turned off a while ago but I was still slightly embarrassed. At seventeen I didn't have much money for damage costs if I jacked anybody's car up. I heard a bark before I saw the ugly looking Chihuahua. I looked down at it with a look of revulsion.
"Ew," I muttered under my breath. I shoved the yapping dog aside with my foot and went into the kitchen were I heard my father's voice.
"Hey Dad," I said.
"Addie-bear!" My father laughed out as he hugged me.
"Hey there, Addie," Regina said cheerfully. I felt my eye twitch.
"Regina," I deadpanned.
"You're just in time for dinner! I hope you like pork chops. Liam and Keri love 'em."
This time I couldn't help but scowl. I was vegetarian. I looked to my father, hoping maybe he would say something, but saw that he was too busy taking dishes to the table. I sighed, so much for eating something good.
My father sat at one end of the table and Regina at the other while Liam and Keri sat on one side and me at the other.
I watched as everyone bowed there heads and Regina led grace. This was definitely something my father never did when he was married to my mother. Before he had met Regina the word religion wasn't even in his vocabulary.
I didn't bother bowing my head or holding Regina's out stretched hand that was held towards me. When she finished her little prayer she immediately started asking me questions.
"So, Addie how's the Woodlands?" She asked, referring to the city my mother and I lived in.
"Peachy." I made a little mountain out of the corn since I could even eat it. Stupid allergies to corn.
"And how's Carol?" She asked about my mom.
"Fine." I shoved the glass of milk away, milk was a by product of animals.
"Any new friends?"
"I don't know." I smashed the peas until they were an icky green mess. Peas were just gross.
"And how are you doing?" She asked before sipping at her iced tea.
"Fine," I said, my voice heavy with irritation, and finally looked up at her.
She smiled, her teeth a brilliant white. I bet they're bleached. I narrowed my eyes at her and she raised her eyebrows.
"Something wrong, Addie-bear?" My father asked
"Yes," I said, gritting my teeth. I turned to face my dad.
"I'm a vegan."
"What? Oh! Oh, Addie-bear, I'm so sorry. I completely forgot!"
"I bet you did," I murmured under my breath.
"What was that?"
"I said, it's okay."
After countless apologies from Regina and dad both, dinner finally ended. We all went into the living room and Chico, the ignorant Chihuahua from hell was sitting on a gigantic dog bed. I sat quietly on the couch, my hands clasped together in my lap. My Barbie wannabe step sister was bouncing excitedly in the recliner and my step brother sat on the floor, his back against the couch.
I took a deep, shaky breath and held it until I felt dizzy, and then let it out. Sweeping back a piece of hair that had gotten caught in my lip gloss and I voiced the question that we were all thinking.
"What's going on?" My voice came out more calm than I expected it to.
Regina, my father's girlfriend of two years, grinned. She was a black haired beauty with full pink lips and mile long years. I hated her with a passion. She was disgustingly bubbly and always wanted to talk or shop. Chico was her dog. His head was too big for his body and he was constantly trying to trip me. I hated that dog too.
"Well, kids you all know how Regina and I have been dating for two years and living together for almost one and a half-" My father began.
"And we both love each other very much." Regina inserted.
"And so we've talked about it-"
"And we both think it's a terrific idea-" She interrupted again.
"And we've decided to get married!" My father finished with a grin. He pulled an engagement ring out of his pocket and slid it on to Regina's ring finer.
Keri jumped up and hugged her mother, both of the screaming in delight. I winced, they were really loud. Liam sat on the floor, but shook my dad's hand in congratulations. I watched the mini celebration angrily. How could he marry her? She had to be the most idiotic woman on the planet. Not once since I had met her had she said a singe intelligent thing.
And so, when my father held his arms out to me for a hug, I stood and swiped my purse off the couch. I stared at my father, my anger obvious on my face. He looked at me in confusion and took a step forward. I turned and walked to the door and opened it. Just as I was slamming it behind me I heard Regina's sickly sweet voice call out, "Oh! Addie's going to get us a present!"
I grinned in satisfaction at the loud slam of the door. I clomped down the stairs, nearly slipping down in my heels. I yanked my car door open and was greeted by a wave of heat. Sliding into the car, I shoved the key in the ignition and peeled out of the parking lot with the intent of never coming back.