After we kissed, we just stood there staring at each other."Will you be my girlfriend?" Chad asked again."I want to, but my dad…"He cut me off."We'll talk to him."
I froze. In that moment, Abigail, Emma, and Adam reached us."Mia, are you crazy? I was looking for you everywhere!" Abigail scolded.Adam gestured with his hands, signaling that we were in trouble. His phone started to ring, and he stepped aside to answer it. Meanwhile, Abigail continued her lecture.
"I'm sorry, Abigail. It won't happen again," Chad told her.
Adam approached us again, trembling, tears gathering in his eyes."I'm going home, okay? We'll talk later," he said, his voice breaking.
Emma held his hand and looked into his eyes."What happened, Adam?""It's nothing," he tried to pull his hand away."No. Stop hiding things from us," she insisted, gripping his hand tightly. "We're your friends, and we all have problems. If we don't share them, the weight will crush us."
Adam let out a sarcastic laugh. Emma's frustration grew, and she nearly shouted,"Oh, so you think I don't have problems? Who should go first?"
None of us understood what she meant. Emma looked on the verge of hysteria."I'll start," she said. "My parents are never home. I'm completely alone. My mom never tucked me into bed; everything I learned came from the house staff. And right now, they're in France taking pictures in front of the Eiffel Tower. They've been traveling for four months."
We stared at Emma, stunned.
Then Chad spoke."My dad left home when I was fifteen to live with his mistress, who is insane and constantly harms my family. And he cut all financial support over a year ago. We have to fend for ourselves just to eat."
I stayed quiet. My problems seemed tiny compared to theirs.
Abigail took a breath."I've been running from a narcissist for over five years."
I finally said something."The worst thing happening to me right now is bullying at school. I've been fainting… It feels like the Mia from two months ago was abducted. I don't even know who I am anymore."
Adam began to cry. It was a cry pulled straight from his soul."My father was murdered four years ago by some police officers. They said he resisted arrest, but I don't believe that. He was honest, hardworking… but he was Black. Witnesses said he didn't even understand what was happening. He was facing away from the police, talking on the phone. When he tried to put his phone in his pocket, they shot him. But a poor family from the outskirts has no voice. So we buried all suspicion along with my father."
He inhaled deeply before continuing."My brother lost control after that. Started using drugs very young. He keeps disappearing. And now, he's been missing for over twenty-four hours. I'm going to look for him."
When he finished, he looked relieved, as if a weight had been lifted. We all hugged him, emotional.
"I'm going with you," Chad said. "I have my mom's car. That might help.""Me too," Emma said.
I looked at Abigail."We have to talk to your dad," she said.
"I'll call him, but you guys go. If Mr. Luck doesn't mind, we'll go with the driver."
They left. Abigail called my dad, explained the situation, and he told us to go home. I was furious. He didn't seem to understand what my friend was going through.
At home, I stormed upstairs without looking at him."Hey! I know you're upset," he yelled, "but I couldn't let you go so far away without supervision."
"We weren't alone. We were with my friends," I shot back."A bunch of kids," he muttered.
I stared at him, stunned.Abigail stepped in. "I'm off work. Mia is your daughter, but nothing stops me from helping. I'm going to join them."She headed for the door.
"Wait," my father said. "I called some police friends of mine. As soon as they find the boy, they'll let me know."
I widened my eyes and looked at Abigail."I don't think Adam's family likes the police…" I whispered.
My dad frowned, confused."What do you mean?"
Abigail summarized Adam's story. My dad sat, visibly shaken."But my friends are trustworthy," he said softly. "They won't hurt him."
We waited anxiously. I showered, came down to dinner, but no one spoke. Worry filled the silence.
Then my dad's phone rang. He spoke briefly, then said:"Bring him here."
I stiffened. What was he planning? He hung up, called the driver, and told him to pick up Ruth and Adam and inform them that Pitter had been found.
After he hung up, Abigail asked,"But why bring him here? He's probably nervous.""If he's nervous, I'm even more so. I'm going to help that family," my dad replied.
I was stunned and worried.
Soon, police lights reflected on the walls. My father greeted the officers as they brought Pitter in, handcuffed and struggling.
"Calm down," my dad urged."Calm down? Who are you people? Let me go! These cuffs hurt! I'm not a criminal!" Pitter shouted.
My dad signaled for the officers to release him. When they did, Pitter tried to bolt toward the door, but they restrained him again.
My dad grabbed a paper from the table."Sign here. It's a term of responsibility. You're not being arrested."
I was confused."If I sign this, will you let me go?" Pitter asked, suspicious."When your mother arrives," my dad answered.
Pitter signed. My dad stored the document."You can go," he told the officers.
Pitter became restless."Is my mom coming soon?" he asked every few minutes.
I approached him."I'm Mia. I'm Adam's friend."He shook my hand but avoided eye contact.
"Are you hungry?" Abigail asked.He shook his head.
We tried to distract him with conversation until Ruth and Adam finally arrived. Ruth rushed forward and wrapped him in a tight hug. She looked so worn, so tired. Adam stood stiff, not saying a word to his brother.
My dad introduced Ruth to Abigail and me. She smiled weakly, thanking him endlessly."Let's go, Mom," Adam said, wanting to leave.
"You should stay here tonight," my dad insisted."I don't want to be a burden," she whispered."You're not. Please stay. The driver will take you home tomorrow."
She agreed. Pitter's face showed clear annoyance, but he had no choice.
"Abigail, grab one of those new pajamas I bought. Give one to Pitter so he can shower."
He looked at his mother, silently begging to leave."Go on, sweetheart," she encouraged.
After Pitter went to shower, Ruth and Adam ate dinner.
"If he relapses or overdoses again, the best thing is rehab," my dad advised."He refuses," Ruth murmured."I already arranged it. Don't worry.""Great idea. He could stay locked up for eighty years," Adam muttered.
"Adam, don't say that. He's your brother and a good boy," Ruth scolded."I'm tired of the mess he brings into our lives.""Calm down," I said gently.
Pitter returned, clean and changed. He looked like a different person, and incredibly handsome. He resembled Adam so much. He barely touched his food and remained silent.
Later, we all went to bed.Adam knocked on my door."Hey. I can't sleep," he said."I figured. Sit, let's talk."
He sat on my bed, and we talked all night. For the first time, Adam seemed to be his true self. I fell asleep mid-conversation.
I woke to my dad in the room."Let's go to the beach. Last days of sunshine."I got so excited."I'm inviting Ruth and the boys!"
I hugged him."Thank you, Dad. What you're doing is so kind."
We headed out. Adam and I played Uno in the car. Pitter stayed silent, staring out the window. We stopped to buy swimwear.
Emma was already waiting at the beach."I invited Chad, but he's having lunch with his mom," she said, hugging me.
She hugged Pitter as if they were old friends, and he looked startled."So you're the famous Pitter? Nice to meet you," she said.He gave a shy smile.
The day was amazing. We even tried surfing. Pitter already knew how and was the only one who didn't swallow seawater.
At sunset, Emma begged to sleep over too. My dad agreed.
On the ride back, I sat with Pitter."Where did you learn to surf?" I asked."My dad taught me," he replied.
He only answered when asked, but I didn't care. I wanted to connect with him.
Back home, before going inside, he pleaded with his mother to leave."We'll go tomorrow," she said.He sighed in anger.
My dad pushed me into the pool."Saltwater is bad for your skin!" he joked.
"Throw him in too!" I teased, but Pitter declined.
"I'm thirsty," I said."I'll get you some juice," Abigail offered. Pitter helped carry bags inside.
My dad guided Ruth to the living room to rest.
"Hey, Mia."I turned around. It was Brandon and Jhenna."We came to see you," Brandon said.
I climbed out of the pool and shouted to Abigail for a robe. Jhenna asked where the bathroom was. I gave directions. She walked toward the hallway, still watching me, when Pitter bumped into her, spilling orange juice all over her.
"Wow, sorry," he said awkwardly."You didn't see me? I'm soaked!" she snapped."Oh please, look at yourself. You were the one walking sideways," he retorted."So now it's my fault?"
I rushed to calm them."Jhenna, go to the bathroom. I'll get you one of my shirts."
When we returned, Adam and Emma were already outside. Emma saw Jhenna and the mood shifted immediately.
After changing, my father arrived and frowned at the unexpected guests."A high school reunion? Brandon, Jhenna, sorry, but they have class tomorrow. Time to head out."
Brandon kissed my cheek goodbye, then left with Jhenna.
"Everyone inside. Wash up for dinner!" my dad called."Yes sir!" Adam joked with a mock salute."Very funny," my dad smirked. "Behave yourself. Emma's here. I'm watching you two."Emma frowned, confused. Ruth asked why he called Emma Adam's girlfriend.
I burst out laughing. Pitter scoffed,"That's new. Adam doesn't even like girls."
Adam threw a pillow at him. My dad laughed at the joke, realizing he'd been fooled.
I ran upstairs giggling. I tried calling Chad but got no answer. Emma soon joined me, teasing me as we got ready.
Later, while going back downstairs, I heard Chad's voice. My heart raced.My dad spotted me."Come here, Mia. Chad wants to talk to me about you. Let's go to my office."
I stared at Chad in disbelief as we followed my father. He closed the door behind us.
"What do you want to discuss about my daughter?" my father asked.
Chad inhaled deeply."I want to ask your permission to date Mia."
My soul left my body. My dad stared at him with an unreadable expression.