CHAPTER 10

I knocked softly on the door.

"Who is it?!" I smiled. Amber, no doubt. I missed her so much.

I said nothing in reply. I stood still as she unlocked the door.

"O.M.G!" Was all she said before hugging me.

"Hey Amber!" I said.

"I missed you..." She said. "A lot!"

"Awww." I said.

She helped me with my things as we entered the house.

"Where's mom?" I asked.

"Work!" She said. "She'll be back before dinner though."

"Alright!" I said. "I'll just go see Dad."

"Aren't you gonna settle in or something?" Amber asked.

"I'll be back soon." I said. "I promise."

"Alright, but be back before dinner."

"Okay, 'mom'." I said before closing the door behind me."

I went to the station. Half walking and half running. I was so excited that I will be seeing my dad again.

"Leo!" Someone called.

I turned around. "Officer Bond."

I shook his outstretched hand. Officer Bond is my father's friend. He had tried all he could to help my father out of jail but none of his efforts yielded any result.

"Your mom told me you were offered that scholarship." He said. "Congrats kid."

"Thanks." I said smiling proudly.

"You're here to see your dad, aren't you?" He said and I nodded. "I was with him a few hours ago myself. I'll get your appointment arranged in no time."

"Thanks officer." I said.

I sat on the bench and waited to be called on.

"You guys can't prove anything." A voice called. "He's innocent! He's fucking innocent!"

I sighed. The scenario was so familiar. It reminded me of myself when my dad was first arrested.

"Leo, com on." Officer Bond gestured for me to come.

I stood and followed him.

There he was. My dad looked older now. He had obvious grey on his hair and his eyes were kind of weak. I wished every other person could see his innocence.

"Hi Dad." I said smiling.

"Son!" He said. "You're back!"

"Yes Dad."

"So, what was it like?"

"First off, Dad..." I said. "How are you doing?"

"I'm great!" Even though, he didn't wear it on his face, I was so sure that confession was false.

I also understood that he wanted us to change the subject. "Westfield Academy is the best, Dad".

"Tell me about it."

"I have become so popular in school."

I went on telling him about my friends, my experiences, the BB team and the incoming competition.

"I'm proud of you." He said. For the first time in a long time, I could read that he was really happy and he was not making things up.

"There's also this girl I'm crushing on." I said.

"Oh?" My Dad said and forged a cough.

"Come on, Dad." I said.

"Sorry.... You were saying?"

"Her name is Sophie." I said. "She's so pretty... But when I told her how I feel, she turned me down."

"Ooh... That's a stinger!" Dad said.

"You have no idea, Dad." I said. "I decided not to try again so for now, girls go bye-bye."

"You shouldn't just let one girl's reaction make you punish your emotions." Dad said.

I nodded.

We talked for some time and finally it was time to go

"I love you, Dad."

"I love you too, Son."

As I went home, I was happy that I made my Dad happy once again.

As I walked closer to my house, I tried to picture what the holidays will be like. Thinking of it, it may not be all that bad.

I entered slowly.

"There's my baby." My mom said coming to hug me.

"I missed you, Mom."

"I missed you too." She said.

I noticed a man sitting on the couch in the living room and simply nodded. He nodded back then turned back to his phone.

"Leo, this is Dennis." She said. "Dennis, my son, Leo."

"Hi Leo." He said. "Whoa! You look so much like your father... I mean before he went to jail."

My smile turned into a frown.

It seemed my mom read my anger and unhappiness.

"Leo, why don't you go take a shower and come back downstairs for breakfast." She said.

I nodded and head upstairs. I met Amber on my way to my room and she was not so happy.

"What's up, Rose?"

"Oh... I didn't realise you were coming." She said then sniffled.

There were tears in her eyes. " Are you alright?"

She nodded. "I'll just get dinner ready."

I watched her leave. Something was not right.

I entered my room. It was still as I left it.

I played some music as I showered. That helped me ease off a little bit.

I wore comfy clothes since the heater was set up.

I hurried downstairs.

"Leo, come sit beside me." Dennis said.

I rolled my eyes and reluctantly agreed to sit beside him.

We ate dinner in silence.

After dinner, my mom cleared her throat.

"Kids, I have an announcement to make."

I furrowed my eyebrows in curiosity.

"Dennis and I are getting married."

"What?"

"I'm getting married to your mom, Leo." He said.

"This is so sick, Mom!"

I stood up and hurried upstairs slamming the door behind me.