Struck

The phone vibrated under my blankets. I rubbed my eyes then looked at the caller ID. It was Joe. I yawned then slowly flipped it open, stifling out a grunt.

"Renee?"

"Humph?"

"I'm sorry, did I wake you up?" he asked, sounding sorry.

I sat up yawning again. "Not quit. It's all right."

I stood up; opening the door to make sure Mason couldn't hear me.

"So when do you want to meet me then?"

"Uh…how about an hour from now?"

"Sure. Bye." He hung up, leaving me thoughtless.

I quickly got ready then went downstairs. I stopped next to Mason then tapped on his shoulder.

"Dad, I have to go do a school project at my chemistry's lab partner. The grade is worth sixty percent of my whole school average." I lied smoothly.

He grimaced at me, half believing. "All right, but I'm going to call each half hour and check up."

I paused, thinking. "Okay. Sure."

"Hey honey." Mary greeted me as she walked into the room.

I stared at her, not saying anything. There wasn't anything to say at all.

I opened the top cabinet, ignoring Mary and Mason as I poured some orange juice in my special cup.

"So, Renee, can you not wait until the wedding?" Mary asked, acting sweet and nice.

"Actually, I can wait." I replied harshly, not looking at Mary at all.

"Renee, be nice. Mary's been all but nice to you and look what you have to give back." Mason commanded.

I grunted in response then sat down to eat my Honey Bunches of Oats cereal.

"Renee, tell Mary you're sorry."

"No way will I be nice to her when she ever done to me was give me crap." I said, shoving a spoonful of cereal in my mouth.

"Renee." Mason warned, slamming down his binder.

Mary sighed, as if she even cared then said, "Don't worry dear. Some kids just aren't born right."

I stood up from my chair, walking up to Mary. "Don't act all innocent around my dad." I yelled at her, putting my hands into a fist.

"Renee! Don't you dare act like that!" Mason yelled, not even noticing Mary's grin.

"But…you know what? Fine! I'll just leave you two alone. Just get married, but leave me out of this. I'm going." I muttered through my gritted teeth, running out the house.

I turned on the car engine, quickly wiping my tears away. I hated Mary. I hate her. I coughed then turned the steering wheel. I could just kill her….or do anything to get out of this nightmare.

I drove past the huge forest, fiercely turning right, leading me to the Cober's Park.

I hopped out of the car, grabbing my tote along with me. I walked towards the swing, sitting down on the lowest one.

Today was a beautiful day, but I had a feeling it wouldn't be a good one.

I gasped as my swing got pushed and I was up in the air. As I went down again, I turned my head around to see who had pushed me. I smiled.

"Hey Joe!" I hollered at him, jumping off the swing.

"Hey." He said, grinning. Seconds later, the grin disappeared. "Renee…are you all right?"

"Yeah, I'm all right." I replied, scratching my arm. "Why?"

He leaned closer to me, examining my face. "Renee, have you been crying?" he asked, eyes concerned.

I turned my head away, wiping my eyes. "No. I don't cry." I murmured.

"Renee, don't lie. I can tell by you eyes. It's pink." Joe said, grabbing me, leading me to a bench.

"It's nothing you would care about." I told him, looking away from his eyes.

"Come on. Tell me. I'm listening." He sat down, and then pulled me down with him.

I pursed my lips, not saying anything.

"Please." He whispered.

"Well…" I paused, not knowing if I should continue. "My dad…he…nobody cares about me anymore." I took in a deep breath then looked at Joe. "You know how my mom died last year, right? Well now, my own dad would barely even…he's marring a woman whom I hate…and she…she's acting all nice when my dad is around then she treats me like a piece of dirt when we're alone."

"Renee…"

I ignored him, continuing. "My own dad doesn't even listen to me anymore, it's like I don't even exist I his life. It's like I'm not even his daughter. And if he actually loves me, then I wouldn't have to fight for his love or try to make him love me." I sniffled, and then wiped my tears. I had been crying the whole time. "I know there are thing worth fighting for, and love is at the top of the list, but shouldn't I already be loved by my dad?"

"Renee…I…I don't know what to say. There's…I'm sorry." He murmured, stroking my hand gently.

I coughed then released a soft cry.

"Renee, everyone's strong and fragile. Your life may have turndowns but you have to think about the positive. What about your future? It may be so good, you won't even remember this…" he trailed off, finding a word that would describe my situation.

"Pain." I said, finishing his sentence.

He shook his head, not agreeing. "Not pain, but…"

"I'm sorry Joe; I must have ruined your day."

He laughed, shaking his head. "Come on, let me cheer you up. Let's get some ice cream."

I wiped my eyes, grinning. "Thanks."

"And maybe we can eat the ice cream be the monkey statue." He joked.

I laughed, following him towards the ice cream stand.

"Can I have a chocolate mint ice cream and a…" he paused, letting me finish.

"Vanilla."

"Thank you." I said as he handed me an ice cream cone.

I walked back to the swings then sat down. Joe followed, sitting on the one next to me.

"Joe…why are you still here?" I asked, confused.

"What?"

"Well, I mean, it must have been really, and I mean really weird for you to watch me tell a boring story and tons of tears coming out of my eye."

"It was weird but no way can I leave without kissing you." He said, chuckling.

I gasped, hitting his arm. "Pig."

He laughed, and then stopped. "Renee, you dad and your stepmom…I'm really sorry. I'll do anything to help you."

I smiled, "There's really nothing you can do. I just wish for once in my life, someone can accept me for who I am."

"I'm that someone."

I nodded, getting up from the swing.

"Where are you going?" Joe asked, copying my every move.

"Can we…go to the carnival?" I asked, biting my lip.

"The carnival? I guess…but it's like a mile away from here and…"

"Then let's get on one of those paddle boats." I suggested, grinning widely.

"Okay." He said, sounding unsure.

"Great!" I grabbed his hand, running towards the river. "This is awesome!" I yelled, jumping up and down.

"That's weird, you were depressed and now you're hyper. I like you better hyper."

I laughed, jumping in the paddle boat. Joe joined me, handing me my ice cream cone.

"Today's a really nice day." Joe noted, looking up at the sky.

"Yeah." I agreed, my eyes carefully taking a swift glance across the sky. "Very beautiful."

He turned to look at me. "Like you." He whispered, leaning closer to me.

My heart skipped a beat. I didn't know what to do. My thoughts were empty.

"Joe…I…" I was clueless, frozen in one place.

A vibration caused me to jump up in surprise. It was my phone. I blushed, then flipped open the phone.

"Hello?"

"Renee, are you still studying?"

"Um…of course…dad." I wasn't sure if I should even call him dad anymore.

"May I speak to your partner?"

"Well, I don't know about that." I stared at Joe, and then turned away. "We're kinda…busy."

"Let me talk to your partner please." Mason demanded, using his cold voice.

I whimpered. "All right."

This was it. I'll be grounded for life. I quickly handed the phone to Joe. He gave me a confused look then answered the phone.

"Hello?"

I moved slightly, feeling uncomftorably about letting Joe in this. I leaned closer to Joe, trying to hear what Mason was saying through the phone.

"Yes sir."

I blinked. What were they saying?

"Yes sir. Okay. Bye. Nice taking to you." Joe finished, closing the phone.

"What did he say?" I asked loudly, grabbing my phone.

"Whoa, chill out Renee. It's fine."

"You mean you actually knew what he was talking about?" I heard him chuckle quietly.

"No. I just went along. What was he saying?" he cocked his head at me, with curious eyes.

"I was actually grounded because I threw a temper when I figured out he was marring Mary."

"Mary…a saint name for a devious devil." He chuckled then relaxed.

"Way worse than a devil." I muttered.

I yawned, stretching my arms out. I couldn't get enough sleep for the past two days. My eyelids grew heavier, until all I could see was the darkness, feeling nothing else but the soothing wind against my sensitive skin.

"Renee."

I moaned, shifting a bit.

"Renee…wake up, it was your idea in the first place, remember?" I could feel his soft peppermint breath against my ear, voice so soft.

My eyes fluttered open, taking a swift glance around me. "Joe? What…What happened?"

My eyelids felt heavier. I heard his soft chuckle against my neck. I widely opened them, to figure out that he was on…top of me.

"You fell asleep against my chest, and I didn't want to wake you up. You seem really tired."

"Ugh." I groaned, grabbing his hand for support to stand up. "Thanks."

He guided me towards the carnival entrance, since my legs felt so weak and wobbly.

"Have you been drinking?" he teased.

I grunted. "No. Very funny."

He grinned, seeming very pleased to be able to make me quit mad at him.

"Jerk." I punched him in the arm softly then pulled his jacket down.

"Hey!"

"Hey."

"So where do you want to go?" he asked, stopping to look at activities around him

"I don't know…oh! Let's take some pictures! I haven't took pictures in a long time." I grabbed his hand then pulled him with me.

"All right…"

"Hurry!" I yelled at him, going in the small photo booth.

I quickly grabbed a dollar bill out of by tote bag then put it in the machine.

"Smile!" I demanded, putting my arm around his shoulder.

I smiled wide, doing funny motions to Joe at each flash.

"You are so hyper for someone who's so small." Joe said, shaking his head in disapproval.

I giggled, looking at the photos.

He narrowed his eyebrows at me, staring as if I were some weird maniac.

"What? Maybe you shouldn't have gave me that ice cream." I told him, half giggling.

"I've been regretting that." He slowly said, tugging on my hair.

"Too bad. What are we going to do now?" I asked him, putting half the photos in my tote bag and the other half to Joe.

"Your choice. I've never been a fan of carnivals"

"Ooh, let's get a balloon!"

"Why?"

"Because I want one!" I told him, trying to act smart.

"All right, but are you sure--"

"Yes! Hurry!" I yanked him along with me, probably, gripping on his jacket too hard.

"Renee…wait…let's rest a bit."

"Weakling."

"Who are you calling weak? I've been paddling on that boat while you were off sleeping."

"So? I wouldn't be tired. I mean I wouldn't." I said, teasing him.

"Maybe we should do a wrestling match or something…yes, how about that?"

"Actually, I was just kidding." I said quickly, waving my hands at him.

He walked towards me.

"No! No!" I screeched loudly, knowing what he was going to do.

I dodged his arms, and then quickly ran away, yelling. I ran into a forest outside the carnival, stopping next to a tree. There was silence, nothing else but the sound of my breathing.

"Joe w--"

I let out a loud screech as Joe's arms grabbed me up, putting me over his shoulder.

"Joe!!" I yelled, kicking my feet.

"Chill Renee." He calmly said, holding on to my feet.

"Where are you taking me?"

"Oh, nothing in particular." He replied, walking faster now.

I gasped as I saw what I was looking at. "Joe!! I'm going to kill you! I swear!" I yelled at him, hitting his back.

My screams were cut off as he threw me in, and my thoughts were blank from shock.