1The next morning, Willa woke from an uneasy sleep. All night she had tossed and turned, dreaming of Julius and Riley. She saw Riley pounce on Julius, over and over again. The same terrified scream filling the room every time. She actually felt relieved when she woke up to her phone reading six o'clock a.m. When she realized the window was closed, she smiled, thinking of how Julius wanted to protect her. Then, she made her way downstairs in a pink pajama shorts set that she didn't remember putting on.
"Good morning daddy, mother," she sand as she skipped into the kitchen.
"Good morning Princess," said her father with what could only be described as a father's adoration for his daughter.
"Daddy," she said, kissing him on the cheek, " Julius' family is going on spring holiday to their cabin and they have invited me. May I go?" she asked in the most innocent voice she could muster up. He immediately stiffened.
"When?"
"His parents say two days, so that we don't miss any school," she smiled sweetly.
"Julius' wants to get me familiarized with a forest so that if I ever get lost in one, I can survive." Her father chuckled at the thought of seeing his beautiful daughter in a forest.
"Daddy?" she smiled her sweet smile again, batting her big blue eyes this time. "Pleeeease,"
He hesitated, looking at her mother who from behind the paper said, "Yes, let the little whore bag tramp go to a cabin in the middle of the woods with her too old boyfriend,"
"You know what princess, you may go. Have a good time, take lots of pictures for me," he said smiling that terrified smile that said 'Please come back, it scares me when you go out with him' his eyes gave him away. She squealed and hugged him around the neck. She whispered in his ear, "I'll come home, I promise,"
"I know," he said, trying not to let his voice crack. "But one day, you are going to walk out of that door forever,"
"Praise that day!" came her mothers voice again.
"YOU
SHUT YOUR MOUTH!" his voice boomed, "she is my little
girl, and goddamn it, you are going to start treating her like it!"
Her mothers paper dropped, revealing her dropped jaw.
"Princess,
you should probably get to your room and get a head start on packing.
You have a lot to accomplish before you leave in the morning" her
father said without removing his arm from around her or looking away
from his wife.
"But Daddy," she started.
"No, just
get going princess," this time he looked at her and smiled.
"Thank
you, daddy,"
"You're welcome princess," he kissed her
forehead and sent her off to pack. She got back to her room and
picked up her phone, dialing Julius' number.
"Hello love,
how are you?" he answered smoothly.
"I'm just dandy, how
are you?" she smiled to herself as she stalled.
"Okay Ms.
Rosenly, please tell me you're stalling to drive me crazy because
you already know you can go with me, because I'm not going without
you. Not with that psycho stalker following you. No way," he said
matter of factly.
"Juls," her smile grew, "I'm going,"
"Really?" he asked astonished, "That's great, I'm so excited. We'll go fishing, make bonfires, lay under the stars, go swimming, oh it's going to be great!"
"Juls," she giggled, "I love you, do I need to bring anything special?"
"Just your gorgeous personality and a swimming suit."
"Okay," she said.
"Oh,
and Will,"
"Yes?"
"I love you too, I'll see you in the morning,"
Willa hung up her phone and walked down to the storage room to get her bags for the trip in the morning. She had to drag two medium sized traveling bags up the stairs to her room, and she used an old ballet duffel bag for matching shoes, accessories, and bathroom supplies. After three hours of matching outfits and finding the right accessories, she was done. Now, it was one o'clock, nineteen hours until she would leave. To waste some time, she went back downstairs to sit with her father. He was on a business call, but, as soon as she walked through the door he spoke into the phone,
"Oh, I will have to continue this call later. Good-bye." He said, not giving the person on the other line a chance to object. While he looked at his daughter, a smile played on his lips.
"You look like something is on your mind princess," he said, noticing her frown.
"I'm just excited and I have nothing to pass the time," she said with a bitter sweet look on her face.
"I know that it's tough, but you'll be gone first thing in the morning," he said with that 'please come home again' look again.
"Daddy, it's only a week. I don't want you to worry. I will call you every night. I'll take loads of pictures, and I'll be back before you know it," she smiled wholly.
He smiled, "Princess, I have a early business meeting in the morning. So, I won't be able to be here when you leave. I love you though," he said.
"Daddy,
let's go out for dinner tonight, just me and you," she pleaded.
"Okay, sure. Let's go to that Italian place you love so
much. I've never been there," he suggested.
