Curling Irons and Game Shows

The next day in school I was really fidgety. I just couldn't concentrate in class, because I was so nervous about what Mr. Johnson's reaction would be. So many things could go wrong.

During lunch, we ate outside. My friends were talking about this new kid in our math class, but I was too preoccupied to pay attention. Troy noticed my unease and pulled me aside.

"Gabi, I know you're nervous about talking with your dad, but you need to relax! No amount of worrying is going to change how he reacts. Just trust me on this one, ok?"

"Troy, I try not to worry but I can't help it. So much could go wrong!" I wailed.

"Like what? Be realistic," he said calmly.

"Well, he could be overjoyed that he has a long lost daughter and try to take me away from my mom.," I explained.

"Gabs, your mom is a good mom to you. They would never give him full custody unless she was abusive or something."

I felt a little bit better.

"But…what if he's really mad that I was born and is out to get me for the rest of my life?"

"Think about it. Doesn't he seem like a decent man, from what you're seen of him?"

"Well, yeah," I admitted, "But even pedophiles seem 'decent' to people who don't know them too well."

Troy sighed.

"I give up. Nothing I can say will make you feel better. You'll just have to tough it out and wait until tonight."

All of a sudden something occurred to me. I realized that Troy was always the one comforting me, listening to me, helping me, being a shoulder for me to cry on. When was the last time he had come to me with a problem? I felt terrible. I was the one doing all the taking in this relationship and he was doing the giving. I decided to stop whining to him and try to work things out myself.

"Thanks Troy. So, uh, how are things going for you?"

"Um…good…"

"Anything you want to talk about with me?"

"You know about how I was the one who broke your curling iron, don't you? How did you find out? Did Chad tell you? Man, when I get my hands on him-"

"So it was you? How did you break my curling iron?"

"Why do you sound so surprised? Didn't Chad tell you?"

"No, I just found out now. And how exactly did you break my curling iron?"

"Oops. Well, you see, one day I was at you house and I was in the washroom and I saw your curling iron out on the counter. So I thought, 'Hmm, wonder how those things work?' so I turned it on and had just started testing it out when it slipped out of my hands and into the toilet."

I giggled.

"So that's why your hair looked so funny that day!" Troy turned red and I gave him a hug.

"It's ok," I whispered, "You look adorable even with messed-up hair."

When I got home, my mom wasn't there yet, so I paced the kitchen floor until she arrived. Needless to say, I was feeling a bit dizzy and was on the verge of a nervous breakdown by the time she arrived.

"Gabi, I still need to call your father to let him know I'm coming over. Just calm down! Have a seat on the couch and watch TV or something while I call him, ok?"

I sat down and started watching Who Wants to be a Millionaire. My mom walked over to the phone and dialed.

"Hello, may I please speak to Bill?" She tapped her foot impatiently.

"Oh hi Bill! It's me, Lisa."

"Yes, Lisa Montez. I know I haven't really been in contact with you, but I have a very important matter I need to discuss with you. Would you mind if I come over in maybe ten minutes or so?"

"Ok I'll see you then!"

She hung up.

"What did he say, what did he say?" I pleaded.

"We're going over to his place right now. He was very surprised to hear from me but he didn't sound mad. Come, let's get in the car."

I was already halfway out the door.

The drive to his house seemed to take hours, although I knew it was really only five minutes. I really wished that Troy was with me but I didn't want to be a burden to him. I sighed to myself. Why couldn't he pour his heart out to me and then I'd feel like we were in a balanced relationship? But I knew the answer. Life's not fair. Deal with it.

We drove up to my dad's house and mom stopped the car. We walked up the driveway and knocked on the door.

My dad opened it.

"Hi Lisa! It's so nice to see you! It's been too long! Come in, come in."

We both stepped inside. Then he noticed me.

"Lisa, how do you know Gabriella? Why is she here?"

My mom didn't say anything. Mr. J looked from me to my mom, me to my mom, looking very confused. Then he figured it out. The color drained out of his face. He was shocked. Then his expression changed. He looked very-

Well I didn't give you a cliffy last chapter so I thought I'd do one this time. Mwahaha. Anyways, thanks to all my reviewers and everyone please keep reviewing! I want to know what you want to see in the story. How do you want her dad to react? I have an idea about what I might do but your opinions count too.

Today was my first day of school and luckily I don't have any homework. Yet. Yippee! But once the homework starts coming, I won't be able to update as often. Just a warning!

Review!

-freakymathgirl