2 THE SAME OLD ROUTINE...RIGHT?

Chapter 2

"What are you doing staring at me like I'm a ghost, aren't you going to give me a hug? Or maybe you didn't miss me at all?" he said with a teasing smile. "Of course I missed you, Mr Dan summers." Michaela said, going in for a hug. They pulled apart and went over to the couch. "So how have you been miss summers? How is school? Anything new happen?" Dan said with a suggestive tone and at once, Michaela knew what he meant. She laughed, "So much questions." She paused, exhaled and continued, "First, Dad, I have said, and really can't stress this point enough, Mateo and I are not going to suddenly fall in love and start dating. It is not going to happen," she said, stressing the 'not', then chuckled, "This is not some cliché romance movie. And school is school. There hasn't been any change on my part," she guestured to herself, "so there is no change on their part."

Dan frowned, "I don't know how I feel about everything you just said. I don't like that you are being bullied because of your size. There is nothing wrong with you, you're perfect, and if they can't see that then screw them." Michaela burst out laughing, "Thanks dad, but I'm pretty sure you are obligated to say that, so it doesn't count. And aren't you supposed to not use the words like 'screw them' in front of me?" "Oops. Well as long as you know that, I think its fine." He chuckled and then sighed, suddenly looking sad.

One look at his face was enough to tell Michaela what was coming next. He was going to apologize, and then promise her better, then hand her the souvenir he brought back. But then he never does keep his promises, at least not anymore. Not since her mom died. She braced herself just as he began. "Look, Teddy, I'm sorry for not being here, with you most of the time. And yes, I know I've probably done this more than I should have, but believe me this time. Im going to cut back on my travelling, and be here for you more, okay?"

Michaela though it funny how he didn't realize that those were the same words he always used. He always had a reason for his sudden returns, changes of heart, and apologies. The last time, it was because he witnessed a car crash, which killed the family inside instantly. The time before that, he almost had a fatal accident at work, which would have taken his life. She wondered what could have happened this time, but at the same time she didn't care and neither did it matter, as long as he keeps his promise, right?

"For the how many-eth time, it's okay," she smiled sweetly, then yawned. "I'm tired, so I'm going to head to bed first. Don't worry about dinner for me." "Okay. Wait, before you head up, I got something for you." He got up and ruffled around his back pack until he found what he was looking for. She had forgotten about the souvenir after the promise. "It's a little different from all the things I've brought back before. Apparently, it is an 8ball." He said, un-wrapping the item from a cloth in, and handed it to her. "it looks ancient, where did you find it?" "In the ruins of an abandoned town. It was buried in the ground. We found it whilst excavating. Creepy, right?" he smirked.

It did look creepy, and she could feel that it was really old, even though she hadn't taken it out of its box yet. "It is creepy. Thanks, dad." She said with a smile, "Goodnight." She called when she was halfway upstairs. After taking her bath, she picked up the creepy box and opened it. When she saw the actual 8ball, her first thought was that it looked creepier than the box, with a colour that looked like it was constantly changing in the light, and it actually came with some sort of a manual!.

After skimming through the old piece of paper, the only thing that stuck in her mind was that this magic 8ball made its predictions come true. "Whoever wrote this thing must have been high," She sighed. She stared at the ball a little longer, yawned and decided to humour herself. "Dear 8ball," with those two words, she could have sworn that the screen glowed a brighter purple than it was. She continued, "Will my dad keep his promise this time?" she instantly felt ridiculous, because she realized that a part of her, though tiny,

wanted it to be true. She shook the ball and waited. "Signs point to yes" came up on the screen, and unconciously she smiled. She suddenly felt sleepy, so she packaged the item back in its box, placed it on the shelf at the foot of her bed, and as soon as her head hit the pillow, she dozed off.

***************

"The contract has been made,

Your prediction has been heard,

I will collect what I am owed,

You cannot run, neither can you hide,

I will collect."

When Michaela woke up the next day, her head felt foggy. She could vaguely remember the words she had heard in what seemed like a dream. She shook her head. She hardly dreamt, and when she did, it was mostly rubbish anyways. After going through her usual routine, she grabbed her bag and

phone and headed downstairs for breakfast. She didn't have to check to know that her dad was already up. "Dad?" she called when she was halfway down the stairs but there was no answer. She suddenly heard his voice outside, so she went to the window to see what was going on.

She saw him collecting some bags, most likely his, from a truck. This had never happened before. Sure, he made his usual promises and everything, but he had never called for his entire luggage before. She felt a small glimmer of hope. Feeling suddenly light and happy, she went to the kitchen to make her breakfast. She had just finished eating, when her phone chimed. It was a text from Mateo.

"Hey M, so um….bad news."

"My car gave out this morning, so I can't pick you up."

"Didn't you just buy that car last year?"

"Piece of junk."

"How can I be sure that this isn't a plot to get me to exercise?"

"lol. I wouldn't do that to you."

"I love you as you are. (I'm winking rn btw)."

"Really sorry bout the car shit. See you at school."

She was still smiling when she put down her phone. "That is one suspicious smile, Teddy. Kids and their phones these days." Dan said with a shake of his head. She hadn't noticed when he came in, so she was startled. "Morning, Dad." She greeted, ignoring his first statement, "That is a very typical parent statement. Besides, phones make the world go round." She paused for a bit, then added, "Behind the scenes anyway." She snickered.

"Great job avoiding answering why you were smiling. Aren't you going to school? You're going to be late." "Oh, right!" she was going to be late if she didn't leave now. Then she remembered, "I saw that you called for all your things. Surprised me." She said as she picked up her bag. "I promised you, didn't i?" Dan said with an embarrassed smile, rubbing his neck. Michaela smiled, said goodbye and dashed out the door.

When she got to the bus station, she caught sight of the bus pulling out, and leaving. She was late. "Oh, shit," she muttered sourly.