I was in the middle of writing this when I suddenly thought of "Hot Gimmick". Then I started playing a lot of "Friday the 13th" the video game. I love it!

When I was young, my dad was the center of my whole world. He would always get himself into mischief. He couldn't help it, we were poor, so he had to make the best of our situation. He worked as an office clerk at a marketing company. He was the one supporting my mom and I for the remainder of the years. But he had a dream. When he was younger, he'd dreamt to someday go to Blackwell Academy. Due to his circumstances, he was never able to. He said, while he hoped to have me go one day in his stead, he didn't want to push that burden onto me. That was his mindset about six years ago, now.

Something in his head happened, we don't know exactly. It started slow, with headaches and forgetting small things. Then they progressed, forgetting his own last name, the house address. Until the peak of this disaster, when he forgot us entirely. He barely recognized my mom, thinking she looked like his beautiful wife. The worst was saved for me. I was only in 8th grade, just 14 years old. He didn't even know who I was. Everyday he would ask me the same questions, "Hello sweetie, are you lost?" "Where are your parents?" "I have a daughter your age, she is a cutie, hmm, I wonder where she went?"

We couldn't afford to keep him in our house, or to afford a nurse coming all the way over to help. My mom worked at home, but that didn't mean she wasn't busy. Eventually, we decided to take him to a mental home, where they could take proper care of him. This was when his mindset was changed. Instead of letting his daughter decide her future, he hoped she would go to Blackwell. At first I didn't want to, my mom didn't push it either. But I was so desperate for my dad to recognize me. All I wanted was for him to call my name like he used to. So instead of heading to North Arcadia High School, I went to Blackwell Academy with a scholarship. I was seperated from my friends, except for Jo. He knows my situation. He's almost like a childhood friend, except I first met him back in Middle school at the start of my dad's downfall.

My forehead tapped against the cool glass of the car window. We were about another hour away from the hospital. The cars sped past us, creating streams of line. I brought out my phone and snapped a photo. My mom was driving, we were taking turns driving. I had driven us all the way from North Arcadia to Hillsboro. Now she was driving all the way 'til we reach Portland. I yawn, my body becoming restless from sitting in the car for so long. The whole day was pretty uneventful. The staleness ended up making me think back to Thursday, when I went to Nathan's room again that night. Here it comes!

It was much later in the evening when Nathan texted me. I was already changed into my pajamas. Just because we had a "date" last night, didn't mean we were gonna do the same thing again. I went in no hurry to his room, actually dreading having to go back.

Hey its nate

Get yur ass here

He wrote. I didn't text back and left my room. I saw no one else on the floor, which came as a big relief. I knocked on the door; it took some tries before I heard some shuffling around until it was finally opened. Nathan stood on the other end, pajamas with earphones wrapped around his neck.

"So you were playing hooky this whole day?" I said as I walked in. He said something incoherent and I just ignored it. I had a bag with my clothes for the next day and laid it aside. Nathan didn't say anything and laid back on his bed, turning on the small radio next to his bedside, where the earphones were connected. I sat there in silence while he looked at his phone. Then finally waved my hand in front of him.

"What?" he asked grumpily. I pouted. I couldn't believe he was acting like this now.

"What do you mean what? You're the one who ordered me to come here," I admit I was a little more than harsh with my tone. He looked at me with slanted eyes. I leaned back in his chair and crossed my arms.

"You're the one who still came," he answered defensively, but he didn't have a tone of anger.

"Well, I thought you still needed me to do your homework." I didn't know why I was speaking in such a manner. Thinking back to it now, I think I was just antsy over what happened the night before.

"You finished all my homework for the week on Tuesday, there's nothing else for you to do," he answered in an aloof tone. I sighed. Then why am I here!? I screamed in my head. I reached in my pocket for a cigarette- leftover from the other night- and for my lighter. Opening the window I stuck my head out. After a few puffs, Nathan creeped up behind me, making my heart skip a beat. He took the butte from my hand and took a few puffs himself.

"So, now you're in a good mood?" I asked, still upset. He smirked but didn't answer. He took another hit before handing it back to me.

"Am I supposed to give you a prize?" he said, turning from the window and leaning on the sil, "I'm always in a bad mood." I turned to him, about to say something else, but swallowed my words.

"Then you're gonna be in a worse mood," I said instead. He glanced towards me, leaning in close.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means, I'm not gonna be here for the weekend,"

"Why?" He was furious, I could tell at least that. I took a deep breath before speaking. I didn't wanna lose my own temper as well.

"I have to go visit my dad, there's no way out of it. My mom already made the appointment." I was pouting again, he copied.

"So just come in the morning," he said calmly, taking the butt again and sticking his head out. I couldn't believe how easy it was, but I know better than to jump at his generosity. He definitely has some chores planned for me when I get back. We finished the cigarette pretty quickly. I lent him some others since he seemed keen to have more. Meanwhile I skimmed his library. He seemed to like a lot of classic films, but also had tastes of other more indie and obscure films. I snorted at the sight of "The Room". It looked pirated, but the fact that he had it in his collection was still hilarious to me. I think he heard my suspicious laughter and came over to investigate. When he saw the film in my hands, he snatched it and took out the dvd. I took a seat on his bed while he put the movie on.

"I can't believe you have a dvd copy of this train wreck," I said, unable to hold down my laughter. He looked to be in a better mood.

"You watched it before?" he asked, a cheery smile on him.

"Only once with a couple of friends. It totally sucked, though, there was a bunch of rowdy assholes in the crowd," I answered back, pouting as the movie started. We continued our conversation through the night while the movie played in the background. We talked a lot about our favorite things. Music, t.v, movies, games. It all culminated to talk about our families. While I dodged a few of his questions, he didn't give much in way of answers either. We ended up falling asleep on his bed, freezing from the cold. That's the only reason I can think of as to why we woke up huddled together. I was the first to wake up. Not wanting to change in front of him- asleep or not- I left to my room and changed there.

The Warren kid kept my car keys as he served as chauffeur for Jo, so I was left abandoned on the steps of Blackwell. Befriending some other seniors, I went out with them. They seemed a little intimidated at first, probably heard the rumor about me, but eventually warmed up to me. The day was uneventful, even if it was, I wouldn't have the enthusiasm to remember most of it. I went back to Nathan's room that night, he had his weekend homework for me. It was uneventful as the night before. We talked about our childhoods, he pestered me about coming from North Arcadia. Maybe he didn't see it , but there was such a thick line of contrast between us. I couldn't, and still can't, figure out why

I'm confiding in him so much. In these kinda situations, you'd think one would go to someone like Kate, or Jo, or perhaps with one of the seniors I met- given enough time, of course.

The thoughts rushed back to me like floodgates. Overwhelmed, I curled myself into a ball.

"Something bothering you?" My mom asked.

"What makes you think that?" i asked while i relaxed my posture. She gave me half smile with a quizzical brow.

"You haven't stopped fidgeting since I took over the wheel. If it's about my driving, I'm not so out of touch I'd crash the car," she answered humorously. I'm not in a playful mood. Having to visit my dad always depresses me. Instead I take a nap, or some form of it. The events of the other night came back again.

The movie had finished an hour earlier, the end credits lulling me to sleep. We were laying on his bed.

"How the fuck did you get in the school?" he suddenly asked. I went stiff from the question.. Why did it matter to him. It didn't look like he was gonna be

"Same as any other piss poor kid from North Arcadia," I answered sarcastically, it wasn't like it was a total lie. I decided to ask him about his family too, or at least what he was comfortable with revealing. He told me he had an older sister who was graduating from college this year and a stay at home mom. I don't remember him mention his dad, or at least, if he did, I wasn't listening. The rest of the conversation went stale until we both fell asleep.

I suddenly snap open my eyes after imagining myself back in his bed. Gods, it was so comfortable, maybe a little too soft for me, but I can't help but wonder why he has it like that. I didn't want to fall asleep again and went for my phone to text Jo. He texted back soon after, mentioning being on a date with his new girlfriend. I wonder how long those two will last. Jo wasn't exactly the type to keep the same girlfriend around for long. After another half hour, we arrived at the villa. It's small as it used to be a popular area for the pioneers back when. Now it's used to support people with disabilities and so on. My dad lives in one of the houses with a group of others, not like him, but in the same predicament. They're constantly visited by workers to help them with their daily tasks. I've been here since I was 14 years old. The people in the house change every other year, but my dad stays constant. We park the car and go up the walkway to the door. After knocking, the door is answered by one of the workers. He's a husky man with a bushy beard and man-bun. He recognizes my mom and I.

"Ah, Mrs. and Ms. Thorne! Your husband is in the living room, he's still watching his favorite t.v show," we walk past him into the living room. Just like he had mentioned, he's sitting there watching a late night talk show. I stay behind the sofa, letting my mom take the seat next to him. An older woman is on a table at the other side of the room, I decide to sit with her.

"Hi how are you?" I say while taking my seat, but keeping my sights on my parents. They start to talk and my dad brings on a bright smile.

"It's been a while darling," she says, "for a while there, I was worried you wouldn't come back after last time." I finally turn to her and notice the teacup.

"Are you reading your tea leaves?" I ask jokingly but as an attempt to change the subject. It works successfully enough.

"Heh, right. I'll leave the mystic reading to your mother," she glances over to them. My dad looks like a child listening to a story. I lay my cheek on my palm. It's better to observe than to actually experience it first hand. The last time was too much for me, but I know that mom will eventually want me to speak to him. My only viable excuse was that I was mentally preparing myself. Mom finally turned over to me, and that was my cue to go to them. The older woman whispered a, "Good luck," as I left the table.

"Hi," I say, my mom glares, "nice to meet you." I hold out my hand and he takes it with an amazed expression on him.

"Wow, you are quite the beautiful young lady!" he says, letting my hand go then, "My own daughter can't be, oh, three years younger than you." He turns to my mom, my heart starts pounding fast.

"What's your daughter like?" mom asks. He grins wider, getting much more excited.

"Oh, you'll love her!" he glances at me, then to mom, "She's such a good girl. She never brings trouble to this old man, haha," I want to leave, "I actually hope that she can one day go to Backwell Academy. Do you know that school, young lady? It's just off the coast of this small town called Arcadia Bay. I always wanted to go there myself, but sadly, we could never afford it. But I know she'll be able to get in, she's incredibly smart and-" Before he could finish the sentence, I was already storming off to the staircase.

"I'm tired," I say through my teeth, "I'll be upstairs sleeping." I don't wait for my mom to respond and go up the stairs. Once inside the room, the waterworks flood out. My throat feels coarse with hiccups escaping out of me. I make my way to the bed in the room, wrapping the pillow around me and scream.

I don't remember when I fell asleep, but when I open my eyes I see my mom and dad lying on the floor. It's kinda hard to see with the dark and my yes swollen from the crying I did. I roll away and close my eyes again. I'm not falling asleep again, I tired myself out earlier and now I'm full of energy, but I remain this way anyways.

On Friday the other day, Nathan went to his classes. The girls were less curious about the rumors, and good ol' Warren reported on his endeavor with Jo.

"He was really mean about it, I don't know the situation between you two but… you should probably call him or something," he hugged his shoulder, I shrugged.

"Eh, he'll get over it," I answered. He reached for something in his pocket and handed it to me.

"He also told me to give you this. And to leave a message," he cleared his throat, "Maddy, I need some space for this girl." He attempted to imitate Jo's voice. I snorted and opened up the note. It was just as the message said, he wanted to have some space between us for the new girl he likes. I didn't really care much, but I was happy for him. I looked back at the kid, and tilted my head, "Are you gonna start complaining about something?" He looked shocked and shook his head violently. I slanted my eyes, "Good, same thing on Monday?" He nodded and I left afterwards. After finishing my homework for the weekend, I went to his room again. Once inside, he was typing away in his computer, barely hearing my knocks before answering to my slams.

"The homework is on the bed," he said before going back to his desk. We didn't speak for the rest of the evening until he finished up and grabbed his keys.

"You hungry?" he asked in a slurred tone. I had been on my phone for the past hour after finishing his homework. He looked way too tire to be driving around.

"I'll go if I drive," I held out my hand for his keys. He pouted, but didn't fight. He dropped them in my hands and I led the way to the parking lot. This time around, we didn't encounter anyone else and merrily left to the Two Whales. At the diner, he couldn't stopped yawning until he drank a soda.

"If you're so sleepy, why didn't we just stay in your room?" I asked, frustrated with his constant yawning.

"Shut up, I was hungry," he laid his head on the table,, probably napping. We ate and left later, I took a quick smoke before we headed back to the dorms. Coming back, he collapsed into his bed but didn't immediately go to sleep.

"So at what time did you want me on monday?" I asked, waking him up from his half asleep self. He stirred and moaned, then answered.

"Make it an hour before class and I'll give you points for the lost weekend," he answered, mumbling a little.

"Aight," I answered aloofly. I rested my cheek in my palm over his desk, then ended up falling asleep like that. Surprisingly, I woke up in his bed, Nathan nowhere in sight. I left before he came back. I left early to my mom's house, getting back the keys borrowed by the beta- Warren.

My eyes open to have the sunlight catching my eyes. I sit up straight immediately. My parents aren't in their bed, or I assume they aren't. My eyes are swollen from my crying the night before. I get up and clean myself up the best I could. We arrived late last night but we didn't take much but our toiletries. After I finish up I head downstairs where the helper is asking breakfast, one of the other patients helping out. My dad sits on the table, already gulping down a cup of orange juice. He was the one where I got my sweet tooth from. I greet him in a formal way, unable to help it after yesterday. My mom sets a plate for me and I sit across from him. We eat and head out for a morning jog by the patients here. I keep a steady pace with my mom and dad, she's not as strong as I am.

"You're quite the runner Ms. Matilda. Are you perhaps in track and field or cross country?" he asks, me. I swallow the lump in my throat before answering.

"I used to be, in Middle School." I answer with a blank face before glancing at my mom and running ahead of them. I don't know where I'm running, just faraway. That's a good start. I keep the idea of running all the way back to Arcadia in the back of my mind. By the time I get there, it'll already be morning, I laugh a little and slow my pace as my legs start to give in. I decide to wait inside for everyone else, spending the rest of my time on my phone texting Jo. He doesn't text back much and it's up to me to keep a conversation going. He probably wants to be left alone with his new girlfriend. After a while after, I give up on Jo and play a game of jigsaw with the other patients. Including my dad. Thankfully he isn't insensitive enough to make some comment of a daughter he no longer has.

The day comes to it's end and my mom and I head back to Arcadia Bay. I don't wanna say I love the city, but it's always much easier to return to the nowhere coastal town than to leave it. This time around, my mom doesn't argue in letting me drive the whole way back.

While my mom goes to look over her agenda for the week, I take some time before bedtime to look through my finished homework, fixing any mistakes I might've made. I fall asleep, almost immediatey after finishing.