"Really? You think I care about that?"

I ask, beginning to unbutton my shirt at a fast pace and tossing it in the laundry basket.

"Yeah, I'll be there." I hang up the call, throwing my phone on the couch so it lands in the middle of the cushions.

I head to the bathroom, stripping off the rest of the clothing on my body and sliding the glass door open to the shower.

The water switches on as I step in. I tilt my head slightly to the right and let the water run down.

My eyes shut close and stop thinking for a moment, the water spewing out and completely soaking me. I run a hand through my now damp hair, reaching for the stupid vanilla scented shampoo which of course had to be the only one that'd been in the bathroom at this moment.

After a few minutes, I step out. The towel hanging low on my hips, I throw on a loose fitted black t-shirt and khaki pants.

I grab a book from the top of the shelf by my bed, grabbing the car keys, walking out the door and getting into the car.

It's so fucking hot outside.

I take out dark tinted sunglasses from the compartment beside my leg, setting the sunglasses on the bridge of my nose.

I start the car, driving out of the neighborhood my house is in and heading to the main road.

I don't technically like living in Los Angeles, it's a shitty city overall. People here are either working multiple jobs to stay alive or own half of the houses here.

There isn't an in between because of how much money is spent on a day to day basis.

I doubt any individual living here actually like the area, it's overcrowded, and the fucking traffic.

I'm headed to my dad's house, it's about twenty minutes from mine.

I moved out a couple months ago, it was difficult living under the same roof as someone who was rarely present in my life for more time than I could tolerate.

I'm not saying I'm completely happy, living by myself. Because I just haven't been. Just distracting myself with things until I become bored of them and focus on another hyper fixation.

Living alone is just more tolerable.

I get there, parking in front of the tall-ass building, which is his house. It has about four floors only for a few people to be living in it.

Of course there's servers, bartenders, etc but it's not like dad lives here most of the time.

He's always somewhere else, and I don't exactly like coming here. I really don't, I feel like I'm in this endless loophole over and over again when it comes to him.

It's constantly the same speaking to him, I don't think he's once smiled whenever he's with me.

I step into the main hallway, slipping my black converse off so I only had my socks on.

Making my way to my younger sister's room, I knock lightly on the stained glass door.

"Come in!" She attempts to yell but her voice is soft.

I push the heavy door open, and her eyes light up when she notices I'm inside. A small gasp leaving her lips. She's sitting on her bed with a notebook in her hands.

I walk to her bed, climbing the ladder a few steps and sitting next to her.

"Hi, Rose.", I say, glancing over at her drawing. A crayon pack to her left, color pencils and an eraser beside her.

Putting her supplies down and pulls me into a hug, her small hands resting on the back of my neck for a couple seconds before pulling away and resting on my lap.

I bring my head closer to her journal to see and she moves it farther away from me. "No, you don't get to see yet." She shakes her head.

I accept defeat, looking around the room, it's changed quite a lot. It's not that I haven't been here for that long, I just don't think I've looked anything.

The walls are a shade of light purple, with a dresser, closet and bed.

"Oh right, I forgot." I put my hand on my temple, pretending to appear confused. "I got you something." I remembered, taking out a brown gift bag and handing it to her.

She puts her hand inside, taking out the 72 pack of colored pencils from the bag that I had got her.

She glares at the colored pencils in awe, setting them down on the bed and hugging me again. "Thank you!" She thanked.

I jump down from the bunk bed, waving goodbye to Rose.

I open the door, walking to the living room area.

I wave to my dad, forming my lips into a line.

"You're here, finally." He shakes my hand, about a few minutes later, I sit across from him at the long dining table. Glancing down at the plate of pasta in front of me.

Usually I'm called because he announces something huge, I'm really fucking worried for what it is this time.

We didn't say a word to each other for the past few minutes, I'm waiting for him to speak first. The fuck does he want me to say?

"Ronan." He breaks the silence, making intense eye contact with me.

"We've been thinking about, everything." He begins.

I nod in response, not saying anything.

"We've been together for a while so I think that-"

I avoid eye contact, praying that he fucking changes the subject so we don't have to talk about this.

"Are you listening to me?" His voice raises higher.

Fuck no.

"Claire and I have been together for a couple years now, and I've been finalizing the date for-" I cut him off.

"The wedding." I finish his sentence, "Yeah, I suspected it."

I knew it was coming.

I'm going to be asked to go aren't I?

I stand up from the chair, clenching my jaw. "Okay." I stated in a sarcastic tone with no expression on my face whatsoever.

"If this is all you called me over for, I'd rather not be here. Yeah?"

"Ronan. This is no way to speak to your father-"

"I think I'll leave now, thanks." I walk down the staircase, leaving out the door.

I get into the car, slamming the door closed and setting the sunglasses on the bridge of my nose.

I drove off quickly, lighting a cigarette and putting it between my lips.

I'm not going to that wedding, of all weddings not that wedding for fucks sake.

It's not like it's my wedding so I'm not required to go.

Pulling over to the nearest beach, I park right in front. I got out and sat on top of the vehicle, staring at the sunset.

It's really fucking bright.

I glance over to the side, spotting a girl laying on her car and reading. She has dark brown medium length hair, and hazel eyes.

I then realize who it is, squinting my eyes to see better.

What is she doing here?

Fucking stalker.

She sits up, taking an earbud out of her ear and glancing down at her book. She pins her hair back, putting the book back in her tote bag.

She takes another book out, reading that one now.

She has on a cropped band t-shirt and dark washed jeans. She hasn't straightened her hair, which I don't see a lot of.

Usually it's pin straight but right now it isn't, it's messy. Like a how a little kid's hair is, its not exactly curly but it's wavy- how would you describe it?

It's like a mixture of both hair types.

It looks better that way.

I look like a creep right now. Maybe I shouldn't make it seem like I am.

Fuck we just made eye contact.

-

chapter ten !!! i love all of you so much