Chapter 3: Chapter 3
Mariah's POV
The rest of the day went by very quickly without any collisions with Natalie. Very soon after, I found myself sitting shotgun in Serena's car with Lina and Isaac in the backseat. We were jamming to 'Can't Stop The Feeling' and by we, I mean Lina and Serena.
LINA
'I got that sunshine in my pocket
Got that good soul in my feet
I feel that hot blood in my body when it drops
Ooohh
I can't take my eyes up off it
Moving so phenomenally
Room on lock the way we rock it
So don't stop'
Isaac and I were just smiling looking at the two dorks jamming out. Isaac was looking at Lina lovingly and that just warmed my heart.
SERENA
'And under the lights where everything goes
Nowhere to hide when I'm getting you close
When we move, well, you already know
So just imagine, just imagine, just imagine'
LINA & SERENA
'Nothing I can see but you when you dance, dance, dance
Feeling good, good, creeping up on you
So just dance, dance, dance, come on
All those things I shouldn't do
But you dance, dance, dance
Ain't nobody leaving soon, so keep dancing
I can't stop the feeling
So just dance, dance, dance
I can't stop the
So just dance, dance, dance, come on'
"OK. Here we are," said Serena turning down the radio and parking the car on the sidewalks.
They all turned to me and smiled. I couldn't bring myself to look at them, knowing I'll break down in tears. I know, very dramatic. I slowly looked up and smiled warmly at them with tears pricking my tears. They didn't say anything and I was thankful. I couldn't string together any words that could ease up the tension in this situation.
You might be thinking that I must be such a drama queen right now. Just putting words together in a sentence to gain sympathy. Well, dear human being, you wouldn't be thinking that if you knew what I've been through. Anyways, back to the matter at hand...
I didn't say anything and neither did they. I just hugged each of them, bid my goodbye and stepped out of the car. As I reached the front steps, I heard a car door open and close behind me. I turned around and found Isaac walking towards me. He wrapped an arm around my shoulder and started walking me towards the door. When we reached the door, he spun me around and drew me in his arms. That's when I lost it. I broke down in tears and clung to Isaac's black shirt.
"He's back and he'll want to finish what he started, you know that, right?" I informed him. I felt his arms tighten around me and he kept rubbing my back, specifically, my scar. A scar that I know nothing of except that I had gotten it when I was probably 5. To be honest, I don't remember much from before 5. Nothing at all. Nada. Zilch. I got a matching scar on my head.
I was brought out of my thoughts when I felt Isaac's lips on my temple. It was chaste but it was enough to calm my nerves.
"You'll be okay. We'll be there to protect you. I won't let him within a 100m radius of you. Hell, I won't even let him breathe the same air as you." He said still holding me.
I felt a little relieved that I had my friends to protect me. I just really wish that Chase was also here. But I still had that sinking feeling within me. I don't know if it'll ever disappear unless and until Ethan's existence is wiped off the face of the Earth.
Isaac held me tightly a while longer, pecked my cheek and made his way towards the car that was parked on my sidewalk the whole time.
I entered the house and heard music from the kitchen. It was Love Myself by BTS. BTS is one of my favourite KPOP bands. Most girls peg after One Direction (even though they have disbanded), Backstreet Boys (I LOVE THEM BY THE WAY) and CNCO (they're all cuties and good and all). But, no, I go after BTS. I am seriously obsessed with them. Their music helped me when I was going through a rough time in the beginning of high school. In fact, this song really motivated me.
"You show me I have reasons
I should love myself
Nae sum nae geureon gil jeonburo daphae
(My breath, the path I walked, it all answers for me)
Eojeui na oneuirui na naeirui na
(The me from yesterday, the me from today, the me for tomorrow)
(I'm learning how to love myself)
Ppajimepsi namgimeopsi modu da na
(Without missing a single part, without leaving a single gap, everything, of me)"
These two lines helps me a lot. I saw my mom baking custard pie and moving rhythmically to the song.
"Hey, Ma!" I said hugging my mom from behind. She shrieked, "Jesus, child, you scared the shit out of me. Don't you know not to sneak up on your mother like that?!" she said hitting me with the wooden spoon with every word.
"I know now," I said rubbing my now sore arm. Damn, the woman can hit. She noticed me rubbing my arm and snickered. "Good for you. I thought after last time, you would've learnt your lesson." She was referring to the time during last year's New Year's party when Chase, Isaac and I sneaked up on Mom and my cousin, Britney, who were baking cake. Isaac and Chase were lucky to be athletic because they were able to run away faster than you could say "Attack". While I got the spatula and whisk massaging my skin very roughly. I still got the bruises. Kidding!
"Anyways, what was that you wanted to tell me?" I asked getting an ice pack from the refrigerator for my now bruised arm.
"Why don't you first get the mail on the coffee table in the living room so we can sort it out?" she asked. I nodded, put down the ice pack on the kitchen counter and went into the living room to get the mail. It was not much. Just the telephone bill and the water bill with the electricity bill and a letter addressed to me from the US. Probably my dad but he usually just calls me. Letters are old fashioned. I gave the bills to mom and opened my letter. A small note fell out that read, "WE WANT THE OLD YOU BACK." I squinted my eyes in confusion. There was something else in the envelope. I pulled them out and froze. I looked at my mom for confirmation and she nodded with a smile. I looked back at what I was holding and then back at my mom.
I kept doing that until my mind finally processed the information. There I was holding in my hand—
FOUR FREAKING PLANE TICKETS TO FREAKING UNITED STATES OF FREAKING AMERICA.
I squealed so loudly. I think Santa Claus could hear me from the North Pole.
"Please tell me it's not a joke. Please. Please. Pleeeaaase." I begged my mom. My mom just giggled and shook her head sideways. "It's not. Your dad and I figured you should visit him for the Winter Break. I know you must be tired of seeing my ugly wrinkled face by now."
I gave her a small smile. "Even with a wrinkled face, you look absolutely gorgeous." I said hugging her. "More beautiful than Julia Roberts." I added.
"Thank you so much for this, Ma." I whispered as I held her tighter. She just patted my head affectionately as a way for saying 'You're Welcome'.
But then suddenly, it clicked. "Wait, why are there four tickets? Who else are going with us?" Now, I was utterly confused.
"WE are not going anywhere. YOU are, with the rest of the Four Stooges." she said. "Your father and I thought that you guys would want to enjoy yourselves without having to worry about the Senior Andersons." she added. "And before you say 'but', we've made our mind and nothing you do or say can change that. Now you get your pretty little butt upstairs in your room and pack your bags. Your flight is on Sunday, now get out." she rambled waving me out of the kitchen with the wooden spoon. I scurried out of the kitchen without a word, not wanting a repeat of earlier.
I marched my way up to my room. I was feeling very happy and excited. It has been a long time since I met dad face to face, us breathing the same air.
As I got to my room, I contemplated on how to tell the rest of the Four Stooges. 'The Four Stooges' was a name Chase made up for us. There was no actual meaning behind it, it was just a nickname for the four of us since junior year.
I looked for my earmuffs, just in case. I would like to keep my ear drums intact when I go to America.
Now, let the screaming contest begin!
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone