Chapter 2
1192 Words
Chapter 2
It had been one week since she had been grounded. She enjoyed the silence at first but now, she couldn’t take it anymore.
He had taken away her phone and her books so she basically just stared at the ceiling all day. That was her price to pay for being the daughter of a principal.
Her dad hadn’t said anything about letting her out because the tension between them hadn’t dssolved. The door opened at that moment and her dad walked in. She immediately acted as if she wasn’t happy to see him and then turned her head away from him to face the wall.
“Hey” he started “I’m sorry.”
Annie didn’t answer. Truthfully, she was disappointed in her dad. The way he had disappointed her by treating her differently and listening to all the rumors that had been going on about her without trying to truly confirm if they were true.
Her mum’s death had begun the change in his attitude towards her and anything that involved her. It was like the day her mum died had marked the end of his care and love for her. It wasn’t like he was neglecting her. No, he still provided for her and gave her all she needed in love.
She didn't know how she was going to present the matter before him so she just let things be and hoped for the best.
“Annie-“
“It’s okay dad, really. “ She turned to face him “It’s fine.”
She sat upright on her bed and he came to sit beside her. The air between them was awkward and Annie loved her dad so much to throw a fit about their relationship. She understood that he was dealing with a lot, being a single parent and all.
“You’re ungrounded. You’re free to go.” He said quietly.
Annie didn’t move nor did the news excite her as much as she thought that it would. Instead, she placed her hand on his and intertwined their fingers.
“Have you found a school?” That question didn’t come from the depth of her.
He shook his head. “No, not yet. All the schools in the area have heard about you. You’re like my mini superstar.”
They both laughed about it and settled into silence.
“I’m sorry for the trouble.”
He snorted. “Nah, it’s nothing. That’s why I”m your dad.”
He stood up from the bed and ruffled her hair.
“Don’t worry about that though. I finally found the perfect school for you. I’m sure you’ll love it there.”He said from the doorway and then left.
Annie was shocked and confused. A very deep frown crawled on her face and she stood up to chase after her father.
“Dad, what do you mean by that? I thought you said no school in the area accepted me?”
He turned around to face her. “Yes, actually. But there’s always my school.”
Every expression drained from her face and she gave him the most dead look she could muster. Her heart began beating faster and it was like she was losing strength in her legs.
“Dad, what are you saying? You know I can’t go to your school. Those people are there.” She was raising her voice a bit but she didn’t care. Anything to pass her point.
“Annie, please don’t start again. After all this time, I thought you would have outgrown your fear. Listen, in this situation, we don’t have a choice. We’re desperate. It’s our last hope.”
Annie was already shaking her head as he was talking. He knew that she wasn’t going to like his decision but he had no choice.
“Dad please. I’ll go and live with Aunt Kathy in Delaware ifii have to. I can’t attend that school, dad.”
He could see the fear and desperation that appeared on her face and that was when he truly became worried.
“What’s going on, Annie? I thought it was just a phase when you said you hated wolves. Everybody is used to them, you practically grew up with these people.”
“No dad” Annie felt suffocated. “They put me through hell in middle school. Because my school was dominated by wolves, they literally preyed on the humans. They bullied us and did all kinds of demeaning things to us.
It wasn’t easy for me but I survived that. So trust me when I say that I’m not going to put myself in that situation again.”
Her dad smiled and went to sit beside her.
“Annie , I understand what you said. You know, I never told you how my childhood was. I went through the same thing as well, middle school was hell for me too but..kids would be kids.
Things happen, Annie and we have to move on from there. Besides, things have changed and people have grown up. Trust me, these kids that I teach, they’re different.
The reason I didn’t enroll you in that school all this while was because of your fear but I didn’t know it was this bad. Everything will be fine, Annie.”
Annie just stared at her dad. That was the first time he was opening up to her in a long time. Her dad wasn’t really emotional. His words kind of gave her reassurance, besides it shouldn’t be that bad having your dad as principal.
“Dad, what if things don’t work out? What if they already know about me and all those things that people say about me?”
“Then, it’s their loss. I know my daughter and I know that you are not all those things that they call you. It’s going to be fine. Besides, you being a human makes you more special. The kids, there’s a party they organize for every new human that comes into the school so it’s your opportunity to make new friends.”
She felt her dad was just trying to make her feel better so she just gave him a smile. It wasn’t like she had much of a choice. She knew that she couldn’t stay at home and she knew that her father would rather let her stay at home than let her go to her Aunt Kathy’s house
She was her mother’s sister and they had become estranged after her death.
“Okay dad, I’ll try. Hopefully, the principal at this school won’t expel me like the rest.” She joked.
“Well, if my student misbehaves, I don’t think I can help it.”
“Dad! You would really expel me? I changed my mind, I’m going to run away.”
Her father laughed. “Well, I guess I can overlook your behavior a couple of times.”
“Thanks dad. I’ll be in my room.”’
“Okay. School starts tomorrow, bright and early. I’ll drive you.”
As Annie walked back up to her room, she decided to be optimistic and open minded.
- Writer
