Daddy's Girl

Chapter five - Happy Birthday

Lizzy's POV:

My birthday is in a week. I can't wait for it. I didn't invite any friends. No one knows when it is. Adam is the only person who talks with me the most in school. I didn't make him do it. I would like it if he goes away. Sometimes, he is annoying. I won't lie. The talk with him made me feel better. We are not that different. He lives only with his mom. I'm sure she is doing everything to make him have an ordinary life. It's not easy to raise a kid alone. Mom knows this the best. She is lucky that Noah appeared when I was little. He has helped me a lot. This is why I will call him my dad. It's not about whose DNA you have in your veins. This is about who raised you and took care of you. I don't know what Kevin wants from me, but he won't receive it. If we talk, he will keep saying how much he regrets what happened. I understand that, but it doesn't mean I will forgive him. At least he didn't cheat on my mom. He ended things before something has happened. For some reason, Noah believes that he is a good guy. I don't know what Kevin did to convince him of his theories. Sadly, my mom started trusting in them as well. I won't do that. It doesn't matter how many things he tries to tell me. I hope that we won't talk again anytime soon.

It's my birthday. Mom said she would do everything I said today. I will have my benefit from that. All I want is delicious food. No one can compare with my mom. The only guests who we'll have today are my grandparents. I didn't tell anyone else. Kevin is not invited. I bet he doesn't even know when my birthday is. Maybe that is better. I don't want to see him. Hopefully, my mom hasn't told him anything. I don't want him to ruin my day. One day, he will give up. At least, this is what I hope.

I'm in the kitchen. Mom went to pick up the cake. I told her not to buy anything special. I love sweets, but it doesn't mean she has to spend money on them. Ben is playing with Noah. Grandpa is already here. I want to ask him about grandma, but I'm afraid he won't tell me anything. She is not my biological one, but I still want to know what happened. I found him in the backyard. It's now or never. I sat next to him and smiled. This will be harder than I thought.

- Can I help you with something?

- No. I wanted to ask you something. Hopefully, you won't get offended.

- I won't. What is it?

- Where is grandma? You don't talk about her.

- Because I don't want to do it.

- Who left who?

- I left her.

- Why?

- She did something that left me no choice.

- Was it that bad?

- Yes. How much do you want to know?

- Everything.

- When you were a baby, my son thought you were his daughter. His girlfriend was pregnant as well.

- Really?

- Yes. Your grandma. She made him believe you were his biological daughter.

- But why? She was pregnant.

- Her baby was born dead.

- Oh, I see.

- Both of them convinced him for some time. When you started growing up, he noticed you didn't look like him or his girlfriend.

- How did he find out the truth?

- With a DNA test. Your mom was working as a maid in our house.

- She what?

- Didn't she tell you?

- No. I always thought her current job was the only one.

- Before that, she was a babysitter. He noticed that your mom could calm you down quickly. This is why he included her in the test.

- I think I know what happens next. - I said, chuckling

- Good.

- Grandma made a mistake, but you didn't have to let her go.

- What about your dad? He made a mistake, too.

- Kevin left my mom. It's different. Grandma didn't leave anyone.

- She wanted to go.

- What?

- What you heard. She walked away. I don't know where she is.

- Can't we find her?

- No, or at least I can't help you with that.

- I understand. Thank you, and I'm sorry if my questions bothered you.

- Don't worry. I know you want to see her.

- I would love to.

Grandpa and I talked for some time. Later, we went for lunch. Everyone was talking. This is what I wanted. I didn't want people to pay attention to me. I have a birthday, but this is every year. The food is delicious. Mom went to bring the cake. There was a knock on the door. Noah went to open it. I wanted to help my mom, but she didn't let me. The cake was supposed to be a surprise for me. I didn't say anything and sat down. Soon, she came. I want to eat all of it. I blew all of my candles and made a wish.

- Happy birthday, Lizzy. - someone said, and I turned around

- What are you doing here?

- I invited him. He deserves to be here. - my mom said

- No! Why would you do this?

- Because I want him here.

- Are you ok with this? - I asked, looking at Noah

- Yes. We are friends.

- I thought you loved me. - I said to my mom

- I do.

- It doesn't look like that.

- Lizzy, let's not argue now.

- Don't worry. I won't do anything to you. - Kevin said

- So what? I don't want you here.

- Lizzy! - my mom said

- No! He is not welcome. - I said and left

- Wait! - Noah said and walked after me

- Leave me alone.

- Lizzy, listen to me.

- I don't want to hear it. Both of you knew our relationship.

- He is your dad. You can't forbid him to see you.

- Yes, I can. This is what he deserves.

- He hurt your mom, not you.

- Why is everyone defending him? He made a mistake.

- I know, but he is trying to fix everything. Give him a chance.

- I can't. It's too late.

- No, it's not. He only wants you two to talk. That's it.

- For what? To tell me how much he is sorry for everything. This won't resolve the problem.

- It's not easy for him.

- Well, he should've thought about this.

- Lizzy.

- Leave me alone. I don't want to talk with you.

- Fine, I'll be inside.

- Good. - I said, and he left

- Where is Kevin? - I heard him asked

- He left. - my mom said

I spent the whole afternoon in my room. Mom tried to talk to me, but I didn't let her. I don't want everyone to talk about him. This man is no one to me. She might have forgiven him for what he did, but I won't. The only person I let for some time was Ben. I can't make him stay away from me. He is the only thing I have. For dinner, I went downstairs. My grandparents were still here.

- I think it's time for you to open the presents. - my mom said

- I'm first. - Ben said and gave me a drawing

- Did you make this? It's perfect. I love it. I'll put it on the fridge so everyone can see it.

- Yay! Thank you.

- This is from us. - my mom said

- A gift card. Thanks. I might update my wardrobe.

- It's our turn. This is from us. - granny said

- A sweater. Thank you. I needed a new one.

- You have to be warm all the time.

- For sure, I will be.

- This is from me. I didn't know what to get you. - grandpa said

- Thanks. I will use the diary.

- One last gift left you. Here you go. - my mom said

- You didn't have to buy me anything else. - I said and opened it

- It wasn't from me.

- Then from who? It's a heart necklace.

- It's from your dad.

- Noah?

- No, Kevin.

- I see. Well, I don't want it. - I said, put it in the box and throw it in the trash can

- Lizzy! What is going on with you today?

- I will go out.

- But it's late.

- I don't care. I will be with friends.

- You can invite them here.

- No, thanks. I don't want to be at home.

I texted Adam and told him where to meet me. We are not that close. Let's say I have no one else to talk with. I think we understand each other well. I went to one grocery store and bought chips and drinks. Later, I went to wait for him. I have no idea what to tell him, but it's better than being alone. He came after fifteen minutes. Adam didn't say anything and sat down. I gave him the chips and a drink. Sometimes, I wonder how he can be so calm. I will never be like that.

- I'm curious. Why am I here?

- No reason. I wanted to go out.

- And I was your only option?

- For now, yes.

- What is going on? You don't look much in the mood. Does it have something to do with your dad?

- How do you know?

- You two don't understand each other well.

- True. He came to my birthday.

- You have a birthday? Happy birthday!

- Thanks.

- I know you don't want to hear it, but he only wanted to see you.

- This doesn't matter. He even bought me a gift.

- See? He cares about you.

- I think he is stalking me.

- Why?

- I liked the gift he bought me at one store. No one knew about this. I haven't told anyone.

- Maybe he saw you on the street. I don't know.

- It can't be that. How does he know where I am?

- Why don't you ask him?

- No way! I won't talk to him. Ever again!

- Aren't you too cold with him? I don't talk with my dad, but that is because I don't know where he is. He might not be in this town.

- You haven't seen him?

- No. Mom either. We don't know anything about him. I don't know what I will tell him. Well, I would like to see him.

- Good for you.

- Your dad is trying. I know you are afraid, but I don't think he will leave you.

- Hold on. I never told you that.

- Why else would you be mad at him? He left your mom, not you.

- I hear this way too often.

- Maybe because it's true.

- I don't know. Can we talk about something else?

- Something like what?

- You.

- Me? Why?

- You hang out only with me. I'm starting to think that something is going on.

- Well, I can give you a birthday present if you want. - he said, chuckling

- No, thanks. I'll pass.

We stayed outside until midnight. Then, I made him walk me home. Adam is not the best at giving advice, but I like being around him. Who knows? He might be my friend. I won't have high hopes. You never know what might happen. For now, I won't do anything. I prefer to keep things the way they are. At least we have one thing in common. The difference is that I have a dad. He might not be my biological one, but he is with me. All the time. This is everything I need. Money and presents can't buy it. Nothing can't replace a parent. I hope that Kevin will leave me alone.