Daddy's Girl

Chapter one - My family

Lizzy's POV:

Hello, my name is Lizzy. I live with my mom, my stepbrother, and stepdad. I don't call them like that. They are my real family. My biological dad left my mom when she was pregnant with me. I don't know how he could do it. She had to raise me alone. It was good that Noah was helping her. Before, I was calling him my dad. Since they told me the truth, it feels weird. He deserves me to call him like that because he raised me. I needed a father. Also, he is always next to me. When I got my period for the first time, he was at home. I had terrible cramps, and he went to buy me everything necessary. That's why Noah does the same for my mom. She loves him so much. He takes care of us. I am seventeen, soon to be eighteen. My brother Ben is ten. We spend a lot of time together. I love him more than anything. I can't live without him. If something happens to him, I will never forgive myself. This is my family. I won't replace them for anything in the world. I know who my biological dad is. This doesn't mean I want to see him. I won't forgive him for what he did to my mom. He had a reason to do it, but I don't care. This man left her when she needed him the most. I don't care about his job. That is not an excuse. I hope that he will never appear in my life.

I started my last year in high school two weeks ago. I can't believe that I'll graduate soon. I want my mom, dad, and brother to be there when the time comes. They are the only people who I want to see. Once, I found pictures of my parents. I don't understand why my mom still keeps them. She is with someone else. The woman is married. Maybe she still loves him. Hopefully, this is not true. It's not fair when it comes to Noah. He does everything for her.

I woke up and checked the time. It's too early for me to wake up. I stayed in bed for a while. Later, I went to get ready. One of the things I love to do is check on my brother. I woke him up, and we went for breakfast. My parents always wake up before us. I smelled pancakes. This is one of my favorite things to eat for breakfast. I tried to make them once, but I burned most of them. I'm not a good chef. This is why I don't cook. I only help my mom.

- Good morning. - I said

- To you, too. You are in a good mood. - my mom said

- Since when? I'm not in a good mood at all.

- It doesn't look like that to me.

- Then go to a doctor because you clearly can't see. - I said, and Noah laughed

- Very funny. Eat now. Otherwise, you will be late for school.

- I am never late.

- Don't forget that you have to take Ben with you.

- How can I? You remind me of this every morning.

- I'm only saying it.

- Yeah, yeah. Tell me something I don't know.

- I'll cook tonight.

- So? You do this every day.

- Then you say you are not in a good mood.

- Let's say that no one has ruined it yet.

- Why don't we have a peaceful breakfast? Ben, do you want maple syrup on your pancakes? - Noah asked

- Sure. I would love to.

- Here you go.

- Thanks. Lizzy, do you want some?

- No, I prefer mine raw. No toppings.

- But it makes them taste better.

- No, thanks.

- Can I walk from school alone? I'm ten.

- You can't. I'll come to take you.

- I don't want the other kids to laugh at me.

- Trust me. It's better if I pick you up instead of them.

- Maybe.

- Did you finish eating?

- No.

- Then hurry up. I don't want to be late.

- We have enough time.

- Time is never enough. I'll go and get ready. Call me when you finish eating.

- Sure.

- Lizzy, did something happen? I haven't seen you in a rush. - mom asked

- Everything is fine. You don't have to worry about me.

- I believe you.

Ben and I walked to his school first. I know he doesn't like it that I take him with me every day. My parents wanted me to let him go alone a year ago. The thing is that I said no. I can't leave him alone. If something happens to him, I will never forgive myself. I don't know why I love him so much. He is my little brother. Ben always comes to me if he has a problem. I waited for him to walk in and went to my school. I took what I needed from my locker and went to class.

- Class, sit down, please. Today, we'll talk about the consequences of the Second World War. You all know that this affected the economics of every country in the world. Mostly, it was the ones who lost the war. Who can tell me what were the consequences for them? In their opinion. What do you think has happened?

- Can I answer?

- Yes, Lizzy.

- I believe the money was the first thing each country lost. The weapons they used back then were expensive. Smaller countries based on their territory depend on the bigger ones. They were giving them support and resources. The other thing that was affected was the population. Many people died. Also, the development of each country was slowed down. It was for the ones who lost the war. Last but not least. The contracts that were signed weren't good for every country. There were some limitations and the money the countries which lost the war had to be paid to the winners.

- Good. That's a great answer. The countries that suffered the most from the war were the ones who lost it.

- Money was the loss. Every income that the countries made was used in the war.

- Yes, that is correct. Many resources were used. Thank you, Lizzy. I will write you a mark in my notebook.

- Thanks.

- Now, who can tell me the winners and losers of the war?

- Me.

- Thanks, Lizzy, but I want to talk with someone else. It's not a difficult question.

- I know it.

- Lizzy, please. I gave you the word a minute ago.

- Fine. I won't say anything.

- Good.

After school, I went to take Ben. He was waiting for me. His classes are less than mine. On the way home, I saw my dad. Kevin. I don't want to talk with him. I continued walking, pretending that I didn't see him. It's better if we don't talk to each other. I will never forgive him for what he did to my mom. I was walking with Ben when I bumped into someone. You have to be kidding me. I tried to walk by him, but he didn't let me.

- You can't run away from me.

- Let me go. You have no right to do this to me.

- Yes, I have. I'm your father.

- No, you are an excuse of a father.

- What did you say?

- What you heard. You are not my dad.

- That is not true, and you know it.

- Then where were you? Tell me. Why did you leave my mom to deal alone with me?

- I had no choice.

- Not that again. Stop with the lies. You would've never left her if she had been important to you.

- It's not like that.

- Then how is it? Tell me. Dad.

- Lizzy.

- No, I don't want to listen to you. It's over. You only keep lying to me. Noah might not be my biological father, but at least he cares about me. You don't even do that.

- You can't talk to me like that when you don't know anything.

- I can because you will never tell me the truth. I don't trust you anymore. You keep lying and hiding things from us.

- Because I want to keep you safe.

- From what? No one is going after me.

- Not yet. You never know what can happen.

- Forget it. I don't want to listen to you.

- Please, can we talk? Calmer.

- No, we can't. Ben and I have to go home.

- Can I come?

- No. You won't come to my house.

- The house belongs to your parents.

- But I live in it.

- This doesn't matter. All I want is for you to listen to me.

- But I don't. Please, leave me alone.

- Lizzy.

- No! - I said and left

Ben and I walked home. He went to his room to write his homework. I wanted to do the same, but I couldn't concentrate. I don't know why he keeps talking to me. After I finished my schoolwork, I took a nap. This might help me forget about him. Kevin appeared in my mind, calling for help. I can't do it. Soon, I woke up and flinched. Noah was in my room. I didn't expect him to be here. Part of me wants to tell him about what happened. The other one prefers to keep it for itself.

- Are you ok? You look scared.

- I'm fine. How are you?

- I'm good. Dinner is ready. Will you come?

- Yes, give me five minutes.

- Lizzy, what is going on?

- I don't know. I had a bad dream.

- Was it only that? I think you are not telling me everything.

- I saw Kevin today.

- You mean your dad.

- No, I mean Kevin. You are my dad.

- Ok, I won't argue with you. What happened?

- He wanted to talk with me.

- And?

- Nothing. I didn't want to listen to him. He is no one.

- Lizzy, you can't treat him like that. No matter if you like it or not, he is your dad.

- No, he is an excuse for that.

- Lizzy! That was not nice.

- What is going on here? I told you to call her ten minutes ago. - my mom said

- We had to talk about something.

- Is there a problem?

- Tell her.

- I have nothing to say. - I said

- She saw Kevin today and pushed him away.

- Lizzy, we have talked about it. I know you don't like him, but he is your dad. I won't keep him away from you.

- Because you don't want to.

- No, because it's not right.

- Who said it?

- Me. I said it. Please, let him talk. He won't hurt you.

- But he will leave. Just like he did with you.

- What?

- Don't think that I don't know. He will get close to me for some time. Then he will leave.

- That won't happen.

- You don't know him.

- I know him better than you. I moved on, and you should do it, too.

- I won't do anything.

- Lizzy.

- Let's go. I'm hungry.

Nothing else was said. I don't want to talk about Kevin. I have no idea why my mom keeps defending him. She should be the hurt one. Instead, I am. Well, my mom got married again and has another kid. That is more than enough for her. I can't take it so easy. It hurts me. He probably didn't mean to do it, but he did it. I can't forgive him for that. When I was little, I didn't care. That is because I had no idea who he was. Since my parents told me everything, I started hating on him. He is no one. I don't care what his job is. It's not an excuse. I hope that I don't have to talk to him again.