Roxanne POV
"You're late"
I cringed. I hated those two words especially when put together in one sentence. Who knew that such a small sentence could be so annoying? Well, it is when my dad says it. And my teachers in school do… Stupid sentence.
I smiled anxiously as I looked up at my dad's eyes. "Um, yeah, about that. I was-"
"No excuses. Third time this week, Roxanne. When are you gonna learn to take your dragon training more seriously?" he asked me.
I had to oppose. "I do take it seriously!" Really, I do. It's just that… it's annoying sometimes. Of course, I'm not telling my dad that.
"You don't show it"
"But it's just that…" I tried to explain. I looked at Fu who just sitting there staring at the two of us. Lazy dog. I sighed. "The principal told me to go to show around this new girl at house. I had to go with her to her house." My voice was a bit annoyed when I said it.
"You knew when you were supposed to be here. You could have managed your time better"
Shoot. Dad always seemed to have a comeback for every excuse I make.
"I… forgot?" That was lame, I know.
My dad sighed. "Roxanne-"
"I know, I know. I'm sorry and it'll never happen again"
"You keep repeating that line and you're right, it never happens. I don't know why you had to add the again though" Fu said, grinning.
I glared at him. "Haha, real funny"
"I know, ain't it?" he replied, now laughing.
I scowled. Just he wait until I get my hands on him.
"Ok, that's enough" dad said. "I have another question to ask"
My eyes widened. Oh no.
"Why did the principal ask you to accompany the new girl anyway?"
I was hoping he wasn't going to ask that. I can't tell him I was late… again.
"Uh… I volunteered" I said.
"Didn't sound like it"
"I was handpicked?"
"Nice try. What did you do?"
Damn. Why is it that he could read me like a book? Oh yeah, he's my father and my only parent. He raised me and brought me up by himself since my mom left us when I was like, a year old or something. Guess that makes us real close, real extra close. Not that I minded, I loved my dad. And I loved being with him. It's just that he's too strict about this whole dragon thing. Sigh. Oh well, no use in hiding now.
"I was late." He was going to burst, I know it.
"Again?!"
And here we go.
"Roxanne, how many times have I told you-"
"This time, it wasn't my fault! I was supposed to make it in time when that new girl, Jasmine, bumped me and-"
"Wait a minute, what did you say?" dad interrupted me.
"I was supposed to make it in time?"
"No, about the new girl"
"Jasmine? She's this really annoying girl who keeps on-" I stopped, looking at my dad. He wasn't listening to me anymore. His brows were furrowed and he was frowning.
"Something wrong?" I asked. I turned to Fu who was staring at my dad with wide eyes. What was going on?
"It's nothing, Roxanne" dad finally said. "Come on, time to start training"
--
Jasmine POV
I entered my house together with Matt to find my mom sitting on one of the couches of the living room.
"Hi mom" I greeted.
She looked up and smiled. "Hi sweetheart." She spotted Matt. "New friend?"
I nodded. "This is Matt. He's in one of my classes. Matt, my mom"
"Hey" Matt said.
Mom smiled again and opened her mouth but at the moment, her cellphone rang. "Oh, excuse me" she said. She stood up and left the room.
"Is she always like that?" Matt asked me.
"If you mean being called on her cell for, like, a hundred times per day then yes, very much" I replied. I was used to her being so busy and all. Sometimes it was annoying but still, my mom and I are extra close. I mean, she's my only parent since I was a kid so how couldn't we be?
"Wanna get something to drink?" I inquired.
"Sure"
But we had barely left the room when mom came in, staring at me. "Jasmine, I'm sorry but you're going to have to cut short the time with your classmate, we have to go"
"Where?" I asked, curious.
"Later. Just change into… your outfit and get ready" mom said, looking at bit serious.
I blinked. That was a surprise. "Oh… ok"
Mom left the room.
"Oh, well…" I looked at Matt who smiled.
"It's cool. Guess I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Definitely"