Page 97 of Ashes

I hate that I let her down. She’ll be so disappointed in me.

I had hoped she wouldn’t find out, but unfortunately for me, the school called home. Daddy K was already on the way to pick me up when principal Brewer called Mom.

Daddy R sent me a heads-up text telling me my mom was furious and would be waiting for me. True to his word, she is. She’s waiting at the door, and I’m unsure what her reaction will be.

Mom has made many visits to the school these last few years, especially these last few months. After Principal Brewer informed her I’d be suspended for two days, she’d tell me how important it is to get a good education, then we’d get to the car and go for Starbucks and pedicures.

Mom hates Principal Brewer. She knows the grumpy old man likes to pick on me and make something out of nothing, so she takes what he says with a grain of salt. He doesn't appreciate the fact I have three dads, and he's been very vocal about his opinions on our family, which is partly why Mom hates him.

Until now, it’s only been either one or two-day suspensions. I’ve never been in as much trouble as I am now, which is why I’m concerned about how she will act.

The car stops, and I gulp, staring at her through the window.

Daddy K gets out of the car, walks to Mom, and presses a kiss on her forehead; it’s as if that one action just visibly takes away all the anger she’s feeling. Her hands fall to her sides, and she looks up at her lover with a smile, kissing him on the lips.

He whispers something in her ear that makes her laugh, her dimples prominent.

I love when she laughs. She’s so beautiful and looks carefree in those moments. She carries a lot of invisible scars and has had a tough life, which is why I try and make things easy for her by getting good grades and doing what I’m told.

The only trouble I cause my parents is when it comes to my friends. Well, former friends. As of today, they can go straight to hell.

Finally getting the courage, I climb out of the car and walk toward my mom. “Good luck, princess,” Daddy K says with a chuckle, stepping inside the house.

“Seriously, Olivia Elizabeth? Expulsion?” Mom fumes, throwing her hands in the air. “What the hell happened?”

“It wasn’t my weed,” I defend, pulling my backpack straps over my shoulders.

“Whose was it?” She’s not suggesting anything; she’s genuinely asking. Mom always believes me because I never lie. I'm always honest, even when it's difficult.

“Becca’s. She put it in my locker right before Principal Brewer did locker checks. He got a tip that someone was smoking weed in the girl's bathroom, so she tried to hide it in my locker,” I explain, my shoulders sagging. Becca’s one of the two friends I have.Had.

Now, thanks to the stunt she pulled, she’s on my shit list and no longer my friend.

“I knew I never liked that girl.” Mom sighs, pulling me into her arms for a hug. I inhale her comforting scent—vanilla coconut. “She’s a little bitch,” she mumbles under her breath.

I pull back and look at her with a laugh. “Mom, you can’t call a seventeen-year-old a bitch.”

“Yes, I can. I just did.” She wraps her arm around my shoulders and leads me inside.

“Don’t worry, my sweet girl. We’ll find another school for you to go to. I’m tired of dealing with Principal Little Dick anyway.”

Daddy R walks into the living room with a smile on his face. “Hey, little warrior.” He pulls me in for a hug, kissing my forehead.

“I’ve got good news. You’ve been accepted into Bowler Academy and start Monday morning,” he says, wrapping an arm around Mom and me both.

I gulp and look at him with wide eyes.

Bowler Academy is the most prestigious private school in the state. Mom had tried to get me enrolled when I first started high school, but even with all the money my parents have, there’s still a mile-long waiting list that they couldn’t bypass.

“How?” My stomach fills with knots. I’m not sure how to feel. I’ve asked about being homeschooled in the past, but my parents always deny me, even though one of them is usually always home.

A lot has changed over the past four years after Daddy Eli died.

I’ve experienced losing two people I loved at a young age, and that’s enough to make any child feel a little jaded.

Sure, I’ve been to therapy, but I’ve never been the same after the death of my mom Rachel, and dad, Eli. I keep that part of me hidden and maintain a happy smiling face for my parents.

After Daddy Eli died, and Mom found out she was pregnant with Ollie, she made King, Rowen, and Ace get their shit together and go straight edge. She said she wouldn’t watch another man she loves die, and they were quick to bow down to her feet and quit doing illegal shit.

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