Living the Future

Chapter 23 - Let’s talk.

I woke up to weight pushing on my chest. I opened my eyes and saw Daisy’s smiling face on there. I grabbed my phone and looked at it and closed my eyes.

“It’s early.” I said.

“I know.” She felt my chest and I laid there. It was silent for a moment.

“I’m sorry.” I said really low.

“What’s that?” I heard her say.

“I’m sorry!” I said louder and Daisy giggle. I felt her move and she got closer to my face kissing my lips.

“I know, I got your flowers.” She smiled. I sat up and rubbed my eyes.

“Have to get ready for breakfast.” I said slowly pushing myself up. I walked to my dresser and got clothes. I walked back to the bed and threw them down. Daisy just watched as I put pants on and before I could put my shirt on, she crawled over kissing my chest. I laughed as she did.

“Stop it freak.” I said jokingly turning away and putting my shirt on. I looked at her as she quietly sat there. “Come on.” I said and she jumped up and followed me. We walked down to the dining room entering to it being mostly empty. My mom sat there looking at papers. She looked up and smiled.

“Good morning Josh, I see you made up with your friend.” She looked back at her paper as we sat down.

“Yep.” I said as we sat there quietly.

“Did he apologize?” My mom looked at Daisy putting the paper down.

“He did.” She said, but not in her cheery voice. My dad walked in and stopped behind me. He pat my shoulder.

“Josh I want to talk to you in my office after breakfast, before you see Declan.” My dad continued to his seat and looked at my mom.

“Did you read about Ironridge pack?” My dad said.

“I don’t understand any of this.” My mom said.

“We’ll talk about it in private.” My dad said as I watched him. I looked back at Daisy who looked somewhat sad. The doors opened and Lydia pulled Andy in with her laughing.

“Daisy!” Lydia said with a smile.

“Good morning Liddie.” She said with a weak smile.

“Josh didn’t apologize?” Lydia said as they walked to their seats.

“He did.” She said and food started to get served. I sat there watching her poke around her food.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Nothing.” She said taking a bite. We heard the door open and Henry walked in. He stopped when he saw Daisy and then smiled.

“Good morning.” He said to everyone and walked to the spot directly across from Daisy.

“Good morning Henry! How are you?” My dad called to him.

“I’m doing very well.” He said and I watched him until he glanced at me. I looked away and finished eating.

“I have to finish homework before school on Monday.” Lydia said.

“Yes, I have to meet my dad.” Andy said standing and holding his hand to help Lydia up.

“Will you tell your dad that we have a meeting at nine?” My mom said.

“Of course!” Andy smiled.

“Shall we Josh?” My dad stood and I got up. Daisy jumped up too and followed me closely. We got outside the door and my dad stopped. “Say good bye for now.” He said standing there. I looked at her.

“I’ll talk to you later?” She said and I hugged her.

“Yes.” I said and she smiled at me. I turned and my dad put his arm around me. He led me to his office and once we got inside, he closed the door and motion to a chair.

“Son, I heard about yesterday.” My dad said and leaned back in his chair.

“I figured.” I said slouching in my chair.

“You’re going back to eclipse for a week soon.” My dad stared at me.

“I know.” I said.

“Josh, what’s going on?” My dad asked.

“Nothing.” I quickly replied.

“Josh I’m not dumb. I know leaving eclipse was hard. I know leaving here to be there was hard for you.” My dad said and looked at me. “I know some of the kids there weren’t really nice to you and...” I cut him off.

“Is this your way of saying change is hard?” I said in a somewhat cold tone.

“Josh.” My dad watched me.

“It wasn’t that the kids weren’t nice to me. They were only nice for a reason other then being my friend. Most the girls wanted to meet Barion or the guys would tell every girl or guy that I was Prince Josh. Then people would ask for things! Only then did things start to turn.” I started to get angry. “Then you find out you can’t trust any of them. If anything…” I looked down. “All of them were fake. All of them sided to one side.” My dad watched me.

“So you’re taking your anger over what happen between you and the elite kids out on Daisy Shore?” My dad asked me.

“I’m not taking it out on her.” I said.

“So she cried for no reason, and acted like she was shut down all morning for what other reason?” My dad asked and I crossed my arms turning away. “Josh what’s really going on here? My dad asked and I stayed silent. “You acting like this can’t be just because you had a few fake friends. Everyone gets burned by someone every once and awhile. They don’t completely change over it.” I refused to look at him.

“I don’t want to talk anymore.” I said and my dad sighed.

“This isn’t about what you want Josh.” My dad in a way seem sincere.

“Because nothing is ever about what I want. My life is a series of what everyone else wants for me. No one really cares about me. Not my feelings, not what I want. If I disappeared tomorrow, it would be no big loss to you!” I laughed and stood walking out.

“Josh!” My dad yelled. “JOSH!” He called again and I started to run. With out mom’s barrier. He couldn’t stop me. I was already out the doors of the pack house and into the forest the next time I heard him yell my name.