4 | OK

We debated going to a different place, but McDonald's is what I wanted all along so, I managed to convince him into going. We drove silently to McDonald's — Pulling up through the drive-thru,

"Welcome to McDonald's, what would you like to order?" we heard a sweet voice say over the intercom.

"Hey, can I get a quarter-pounder hamburger? And large fries." Josh said altogether.

"What are you getting Zoey?"

I turned towards him to lightly come closer to his face, trying to be close enough so the girl could hear my order — I could see him flinch from my peripheral vision. Reacting to how close I was to his face.

I smiled softly, "I'll have the chicken sandwich and medium fries, with a small sprite."

He turned to look at me "I never pegged you as McDonald's deadly sprite kind of girl."

"What?" I chuckled in shock, "But it's good"

"Whatever you say," He shrugged it off, "shit tastes like acid," he mumbled under his breath, but loud enough for me to hear him.

He pulled up to the window for us to pay.

The nice brunette looked at us with a friendly smile, "that'll be twenty in total."

I quickly grabbed my wallet from my back pocket and handed it over to her. I smiled triumphantly. "Got to be quicker than that."

He looks at me defeated "next time I'm paying." I nodded, liking the sound of a possible next time.

We started talking, getting into small details of our lives. He reserved most of the important emotional stuff. Talking to him is actually refreshing.

I finally gathered the strength to ask him the question that's been burning down my throat, "Josh, where were you actually going this morning?"

He took a bite of his fries acting as if he didn't hear what I said.

"Josh?"

He finally looked up, his eyes boring into mine. "Moving stuff into my new apartment."

Shit! How could you forget he is a senior. Indicating he's 18? My subconscious scolded me.

"You move out?" I said softly.

"Why?" I continued.

He maneuvered his body in the seat to face me, "You're a noisy little thing, aren't you?" He mused.

I dropped his gaze, preventing myself from musing the conversation.

"Why were you so off today Zoey?" He said in a serious tone.

Just like he didn't answer. I didn't answer. I just lowered my head back to my sandwich, taking a huge bite.

He looks at me looking intrigued, at how much I'm taking at once, and how fast I eat.

I noticed he was looking, and I quickly stopped.

He shakes his head as he chuckled, "don't stop on my account, you're clearly hungry."

I continue to eat. Adding some fries on my bugger.

"Where'd you learn how to do that?"

I smiled knowing this is one of my food tricks. "My dad," I answered proudly.

I remembered when he showed me how good a burger can be the second you use fries as a topping. I was so amazed by the taste I remember binging burgers for weeks.

Shit! My dad! I quickly looked at the time noticing school was over and it was 4:40 PM. My dad is probably so worried right now. I furiously demanded him to drive me back home. Surprisingly he just did what I asked him to do without putting up a fight.

He dropped me off. I thanked him because I didn't realize that I didn't eat anything yesterday. He was also a nice person to talk to, his company definitely kept my mind off things.

I walked inside the house to find my dad talking to the police. I've never done anything like this before, so he must have thought something bad happened. I watched him point toward me saying "There she is." He pulled me into a tight hug. I couldn't say anything.

Shit now you're in trouble... my subconscious said.

I watched my dad dismiss the police thanking him for coming. Then he pulled out a chair in front of me. Now I realized this is the last thing I wanted to do right now. I watched him calmly take a deep breath before he spoke.

I beat him to it. "I know I should let you know that I was going to stay out."

"I was going to call, but my phone was dead." That was a lie.

Before he could say anything. My mom approached him rubbing his shoulder, "Hun, it was just a mistake. I'm sure she won't do it again." Looking down at me as if she just did me a favor.

I looked at her in disgust.

"What the hell?" I shouted at my dad.

"Why is she touching you dad? You're not back with her are you?" My questions were not getting answered, and that frustrates me.

"She cheated on you dad! She walked out on us...Never called. Never visit." My dad quickly stood up.

"You will not speak about your mother that way!" I lift my hands in the air in surrender. Letting out raspy "OK."

That's the first time he yelled at me that way. I was at a loss for words so I decided to walk away. Quickly stopping at my mom's shoulder.

I whispered. "You're dead to me,"

Surprisingly she responded by whispering to me "OK." with that evil grin on her face.

I went to my room. I refuse to cry in front of her. No, she doesn't get to see me cry. I pulled out a little homework out of my backpack just to distract myself from doing what I really want. Cry. Until I had no tears left, but I can't. Or I won't. I buried myself in all my homework, most of them are a week early.

After doing all my homework, I pulled out my phone and texted the group chat.

Me: guys can we have a sleepover? I really need to rant.

Renae: Finally bitch. I'm in.

Ted: not at my house though.

Jenny: yaaayy!! Then at my house after school? I quickly typed a firm yes. After hearing my name called, to come down for dinner.

I couldn't skip dinner either way I still had to attend.

I gathered my braids up, and pulled my hair into a quick bun, while I slipped into some more comfortable clothes. I walked downstairs and the smell of all my favorite foods hit me. My mom bribed my love throughout half of my childhood, safe to say I'm not surprised she's doing it again. I chuckled and whispered to her in the kitchen.

"All the food in the world is not going to make up for what you did. OK" before she answers I took a seat using one of the furthest chairs away. I was shocked at how quick they were acting like everything was fine.

I poked my food. My appetite was long gone now. I looked at my dad, "can I please stay at Jenny's tomorrow night for a sleepover" before even thinking about it he was quick to dismiss the idea — my mom was quick to reach for his arm and whispered something to him, making him change his answer.

"Fine, but no sneaking out" I quickly agreed. Just the thought of not being here tomorrow night makes me happy.

I don't care how much she tries. How much she helps.

She's dead to me.