TWINSANITY

Chapter 11: Manipulation

KALISIA

After taking a long shower and thinking of how I wanted to ask dad about the prom, I think I was finally brave enough to do it. Whenever I would have to ask mom something that had to do with boys, I had to prepare to be yelled at. I always ended up feeling guilty and shitty after asking, but I still did it knowing it was going to piss her off.

I reached for the towel hanging on the bar out behind the shower curtain. The whole room was full of steam where I had taken the hottest shower. I thought maybe burning myself would make everything better. It didn't. I wrapped the towel around me, walked over to the mirror, and wiped it sideways with my hand to where I could see myself.

I didn't know who I was anymore. I went from a shy, broken girl to a wild, more broken girl. I felt free, which made me feel horrible. I missed my mom, but again I was glad she was gone.

What is wrong with me?

I grabbed the robe I had hanging up for me on the door and slid it on. Wow, it was so soft and it smelled for roses. I just melted into it. Dad must have stolen it from some fancy hotel.

This was it, I could hear him downstairs watching TV. I was going to go ask him if I could go to the prom with Devon Lochlan.

MR. CROSS

Kalisia was acting weird when we got home. I don't know how to be a dad. Should I ask her what's up? Do I leave her alone?

I think I'll just sit here and pretend to watch TV, I really don't want any confrontation. This house was so quiet and peaceful before she got here. I really messed up leaving her behind like that didn't I?

What a s**t dad I am.

“Dad, there's something I need to talk to you about.” I jumped. I didn't even hear her walking up behind me. Well, maybe she'll just think I'm into whatever is on TV. I looked up to see what was on, ‘The Golden Girls'. Oh lovely. I took a deep breath. What was this going to be about? I needed to prepare myself.

“Okay, sweetie, what is it?” My voice squeaked. Wow, why can I not talk to my own daughter?

“I got asked to the school dance next weekend, um, the prom.” Kalisia proclaimed.

Wait, WHAT?!

“Already?! By whom?” My voice went way heavier than I expected it to, causing her to jump. How horrible was Karen to this child? I calmed myself before continuing.

“You don't really know anyone here. It was your first day!”

“Um, his name is Devon Lochlan.”

Oh, hell no.

“Devon Lochlan!? No way; not that player?” I have heard some bad bad things about that kid, and his brother?! He's even worse. Pretty sure the kid is still in the juvenile detention center.

“Player? How do you even know that he's a player?”

I don't really know what to tell her. I don't want her to hate me. I'd like to get to know her better and have a noncontroversial household, so I kept it vague. “I'm a teacher. I hear things.”

I paused a moment. I can't let her go with him. “No. I FORBID it!”

“Are you serious right now?!” She screamed angrily.

Then the tears began. Oh great, I've upset her. That's the last thing I wanted. It's just the prom, it's not like she's marrying the kid.

“Are you really not going to let me go? Please daddy! It's nothing serious!”

I gasped. Did she just call me daddy? I was in shock.

“I just want to be a NORMAL teenager. Let me go, please!”

A normal teenager. She had to say those words. I was caving. I had to. I know how Karen was, and I know she didn't let Kalisia do much or have much of a life. I want that for her. I don't want her to not get to have a normal teenage life. “Fine, but I'm going to be chaperoning this dance.” I wasn't planning on it, but this will give me more time with Lisa, I mean Ms. Wheeler, anyways.

What happened next I did not expect to happen at all. Kalisia ran up and hugged onto me so tightly around my neck. This would be our first hug since she was a toddler.

“That's fine. Oh my gosh, thank you daddy! I love you!” She said I love you as well? It felt cold and meaningless. I think I just realized I'm being manipulated and used, but it's progress right?

“Yeah, yeah.” I said as I patted her back. “I love you, too!” I yelled back, but she was already running out of the living room back to her room. If that's all it took maybe ‘I’should have introduced her to Mr. Lochlan. That boy better be nice to her or I'll hurt him.

Just then, she came running back into the room. Did she forget something? She was acting kind of embarrassed.

“Um, dad. One more thing.”

“What's that?” I asked.

She took a deep breath and was awkwardly rubbing her crossed arms. “I need some money to buy a dress for the dance. I don't have anything here to wear.”

Ah, the girl has to have money for a dress. I'll just give her my credit card and let her splurge. “Of course sweetie. Here's my credit card. Spend as much as you need.” What would it hurt spoiling her a little?

“Oh my gosh! Thank you so much daddy.”

She said daddy again. I started to sniff a little from happiness. It's definitely progress. She ran at me and gave me another quick hug.

“Love you bye!” Then with that she was gone, again.