The whole thing behind Akira's name is that it means light, and I liked how that played into her sweet attitude and the whole saying "Light of my life". Oh, and I got my first dose of the vaccine earlier this week and besides a sore arm, I have nothing to report. And how are you guys enjoying this story? Just curious.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Checkmate

Blossom tucked her hair back behind her ear, scribbling her homework down before her professor wiped the board clean. The bell rang out and her middle-aged professor's voice was barely audible over her peers chattering loudly. She mainly ignored the sounds, packing up her work.

"Hey, any of you spoke to Hugo lately?"

Blossom perked up at the question and turned her head to see a group of boys, chatting in the back. She couldn't remember any of them being that close with Hugo but then again, she hadn't really been all buddy-buddy with Hugo that last few years so they could easily be his best friends.

Pulling her backpack on, she attempted an escape but soon she felt a hand grasp her shoulder." Yo, Couffaine, you seen Hugo lately?" one of them asked.

Shrugging away from him, she frowned turning back. But she was genuinely surprised to see pure concern in all of their faces. Something she certainly hadn't expected.

"We know they had the baby, we're just wondering how they're doing," a boy with hair that needs a cut added on.

Blossom smiled, surprised that the school wasn't shunning them like it did before. At the time she and Lyric hadn't been talking much so she wasn't sure what people had said to them, but she knew there had been some glares and frowns shone in their directions."They're doing good,"

"We would've called but weren't sure if with the baby and stuff..." one dragged on.

Blossom shook her head."The baby's still in the hospital and I'm sure my sister and Hugo could use a conversation with some new faces."

Their professor's voice fumed up, telling them all to get a move on. Still surprised by their concern, Blossom walked slowly to her locker. It was strange not getting ready alongside her sister, or not seeing her throughout the day. She even missed seeing Hugo who tended to get on her nerves during their shared classes. It had only been a week since the school year had begun and she was already bored of it. Two more years of hell then she only had to figure what she was going to do with her life.

Everyone seemed to have some idea what they were going to do and last year she did. Continue practicing the piano, earn a scholarship to a prestigious college, and become a professional. But she now found herself second-guessing herself. That year had been the hardest of her life. Dealing with her own personal issues, family issues, her sister having a baby, her aborting a baby, her swindling a check from her grandma, and continuing to deal with the guy she hated more than anyone.

So much she had to continue to deal with, the very thought of playing the piano again wasn't the escape it used to be. There was so much she had to deal with. The check, helping her sister, keeping up with her piano lessons, keeping up the lie, and Morgan.

One thing at a time. She'd deal with one thing at a time. And today, that was going to be the check.

She'd thought about it more and decided to tell her dad. Either way, her mom was going to have a panic attack, she'd definitely handle it better if Luka were to tell her. Blossom slid her hands into her pockets, gently holding the piece of paper. Her dad wouldn't yell at her, but she still couldn't be sure what he'd do. The few times he'd mentioned her grandmother he always seemed angry, so she could only imagine his reaction when he found out she spent lunch with her.

"Bloss," Esther's voice echoed through her ear as she threw her arms over her."Me and Sadie are heading to her place to study, wanna join?"

The invite made her feel fuzzy, surprised either would consider her. Esther and she had never been very close and Sadie and she had only just begun speaking. She smiled weakly at the two, shaking her head. She wanted to tell them yes but knew she had to tell her dad before it was too late.

Blossom shook her head, clutching her bag to her chest."Sorry, I've got an extra piano lesson for our recital next week."

"That's three this week," Sadie said, the slightest hint of suspicion in her voice."Make sure you get some rest. My Mama always tells me tea helps to calm down."

Blossom nodded, smiling."Thanks, I'll do that." Before either could add on, she rejoined the sea of students, flooding out of the school doors. Scanning the street, her eyes finally fell on her dad's car, parked patiently for her. She jogged down the street, trying to avoid the incoming rain.

"How was your day?" he asked as she settled in beside him. Blossom was glad to see he hadn't picked Oliver up yet, giving her the perfect opportunity to tell him.

"It was fine," she said, shrugging. To be honest, she just didn't have anything to report. School as boring as ever and she couldn't recall a single thing worth sharing from her day.

Luka smiled at her."Only one week into the year and we're already at fine. They must be doing some pretty crazy stuff then."

Blossom laughed."More like the opposite. Nothing interesting going on." The rain poured down on the grey car in large sums. The sound of it hitting the roof echoed throughout and the wind whipped around them."Mom and Leer at the hospital?" she asked, remembering the date.

Luka nodded, running his fingers through his hair."Ya, I'm pretty sure they're running some tests so they won't be back till later tonight. So I thought the three of us could go grab some food somewhere and maybe catch a movie with your aunts,"

"Wait really?" she asked, blue eyes widening.

He smiled, stopping at the red light."It's been pretty crazy these past few months and with everything with the baby lately, your mom and I thought a night out of the house would do you both good. And I was talking to your Aunt Rose the other day and she said there was some new movie coming out she thought you'd both enjoy."

Blossom nodded, shocked at how excited she felt. She couldn't remember the last time she'd gone to the movies, let alone with her dad. Most of the time she ended up third-wheeling Lyric and Hugo and would end up leaving early to not be a bother. That had been over a year ago when she still bothered to tag along with the two of them. When they first got together she assumed it would be just for a few months and then her sister and best friend would just be friends. But it became clear that they were in it for the long run and didn't have the time for third-wheeling sisters.

Sadly that was when her resentment towards her sister and ex-best friend began. They were so happy with their little group of friends, it felt like she was being abandoned. She was well aware she could introduce herself to their new friends and try to squirm her way back into the group, but she hadn't even tried. All her life, it had been the three of them. No romance, just friends. But things couldn't be like that with them dating. She couldn't be that eight-year-old forcing Hugo to climb to the top of the jungle gym or asking him to share his ice cream.

She just never thought her resentment would lead her into a deep hole she couldn't escape. No matter how many lies she told, how many smiles she faked, and how many times she hid the pain, she was still stuck in the hole. To everyone, she was doing better, but with every day she fell deeper into that hole.

Her smile faded as she eyed her phone screen, looking over the tet messages. She hadn't wanted to give him her number but he never called and only texted when he wanted to see her."Sorry, Miss. Vince wanted me to come in again, just for a check,"

Luka eyed her, a frown in place." Is everything alright?" he asked.

Blossom forced a smile onto her face and nodded."Yup, it's just a check-in,"

Luka let out a sigh, shaking his head with the same frown." You and your mom are terrible liars," he said, rubbing her shoulder."Now, what's bothering you?"

Lots of things were bothering her. The thought of seeing her therapists and lying bother her. The thought of seeing Morgan bothered her. The thought of enduring another piano lesson bothered her. The thought of the check stashed in her pocket bothered her. Of course, most of those she couldn't share with him.

Luka rubbed her back, frowning towards the road."I don't like talking about my feelings either Bloss, but if something is bothering you, you need to tell us. This past year has been crazy and I know it's been hard on you, so I'm asking you to just tell me what's wrong so I can help."

She frowned. He sounded just like her therapist. She held nothing against Miss. Vince, but the woman tended to speak to her like she was five and that was another thing that tended to bother her. She suspected Miss Vince had been telling her parents ways to get her to open up and to try and start more conversations about feelings with her, and she hated that. Part of her wished they'd never found out about it all. Sure things would be a lot worse for her, but she wouldn't have to deal with being spoken to like a five-year-old.

"Can I quite piano?"

The question caught him off guard and it took a minute to register." Of course you can," he said, frowning towards her."Is everything alright? You haven't brought quitting up before."

Blossom shrugged, playing with the drawstrings of her sweatshirt."It just isn't fun anymore, that's all,"

"Okay, I'll talk to your teacher," he said, gripping the wheel."About seeing Miss. Vince, did you ask her, or did she put it together?"

"She put it together. I don't know why," Blossom said, playing with the check again. She should just tell him, rip the bandaid and get it over with."Hey dad," she said before he could ask more. blossom sucked in a breath before pulling the check out."I met with grandma,"

Luka noticed the check and nearly choked when he saw how much was written across it." How could she-" he paused, noticing the signature. He had been ready to question how his mom could afford that much, but the signature stuck out like a sore thumb. He pulled the car over to the side of the road and stared at her." You met with Tomoe?" he asked, his voice stern as he spoke.

Blossom nodded, handing him the check." About a week ago we met for lunch and she gave me that. It's all for you guys to use and is non-refundable." she said before he could interject.

Luka stared down at the check, rereading the signature over and over again."W-Why would you... how did you?"

"I know it might feel like the wrong thing but I made it clear neither of you requested I reach out to her and would never have asked yourself. And even if it feels wrong, you can't deny that will make things easier for both you and mom,"

The number written glared up at him and if it weren't coming from his "mother in law" he would probably be tearing up out of joy."You had no-" Luka cut himself off and Blossom closed her eyes momentarily, prepared to be grounded. But instead, her dad simply laughed and leaned back into his seat." How the hell are we going to tell your mom?" he asked with a smile that stunned her.

"Y-You're not mad?" she stuttered, confused by his cheery disposition.

"Why would I be?" he asked."Of course I kind of wish you had talked to me first but why should I care what Tomoe thinks? She's always hated me so asking for some money isn't going to make anything worse for her. I mean she deserves it, after everything she put your mom through. It's not like she has to be in your life so what's giving up some money? God knows she has more than enough. And you're right that this is going to help us a lot,"

Blossom smiled, surprised how well he took it."I'm glad,"

Luka smiled towards her, placing the check into his wallet." I know we haven't really hidden the fact paying off the hospital bills will be rough, but why did you think to do this and go this far?" he asked, staring at her."And please don't tell me you've quit piano just so we don't have to pay for it."

"What? No!" she screeched, shaking her head repeatedly."Piano did get boring and I wouldn't quit it for that" she assured him."And I just wanted to make it up to you guys."

"Make it up?"

"Ya, when everything happened with Lyric I was a jerk to her, and to you and mom. I just felt bad and that I had to help somehow," she said, surprised by the loving hug her father had pulled her into.

"Bloss, you don't have to feel bad or that you need to make up for stuff. We're your parents, we'll always be here for you, no matter what you do," he said, running his hand across her cheek, tucking her hair back. Blossoms simply smiled, unable to supply a good response to him.

She hated how quiet it was. It was never this quiet at home so why did it have to be so quiet there? There was constant noise in the halls, so why wouldn't that sound bleed into that room." I forgot my phone, I would've played some music if I'd remembered," she mumbled, looking down at her knees. She didn't like the hospital and seeing her dad hooked up to so many machines. She knew they were there to keep him alive, but she kept wondering when he'd be able to do that on his own.

Currently, there had been no change in his health and no signs of him waking up. It could be another week and another month, but she knew if it went on too long the doctors would suggest they take him off life support. The thought of that horrified her and she couldn't imagine her dad being gone. He had to survive, he had to.

If he were to die or they had to let go of him, she had no idea what they'd do. Emma shook her head. She couldn't think like that right now. Her dad was going to wake up. He was.

She tucked her long blonde hair back and frowned. She reached her hand out and gently held his." Daddy, please wake up," she whispered, voice choking as she spoke. She lied her head on the bed, listening to the almost silent sound of the many machines doing their job of keeping her dad alive.

Emma frowned, feeling a hand rest on her shoulder."We have to go, sweetie," Marinette whispered. Emma had practically cried, begging to come with her and Marinette had been relieved when Akira assured her she'd watch Louis while she was gone. Neither had seemed suspicious of who Akira was and easily bought that she was a distant cousin visiting.

"When's daddy going to wake up?" she asked, staring up at her mother with watery eyes.

Marinette smiled weakly, wiping her tears away."I'm not sure, but soon Daddy will be up. Please don't cry baby," Emma collapsed into her mother's arms, silently crying. Marinette rubbed her back, humming soothingly."He'll be up before you know it and you'll be whooping his butt at chess."

Emma laughed, nodding her head as Marinette continued to hold her close. He'd wake up. He had to.