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M҈i҈l҈e҈y҈

When I texted Holly to ask her if I could come to her house, she didn't reply.

Maybe she was angry with me for yesterday. But what could I do? My mother was breaking glass vases. And then I had to clean the shi.t she made. She even threw a vase at me causing glass pieces to get in my arm. Holly might've needed me, but I was just too caught up in my own shit.

I even tried to call her, but she didn't pick up my phone.

I'll go to her house.

I changed into denim shorts and a tank top and sneakers before running downstairs to find my mother lying on the couch like a drunk.

She was too unconscious to even see if I was going out.

I ignored her and went outside and waited to find a taxi in the Main Street. When I finally caught the attention of one, I told him the address to go to.

I still have my taxi money from Holly left. About $125. Could work with that shit for like a month or something.

As we reached, I handed the driver the money and got out of the cab. I walked towards their big bungalow, the fountain in front of their house flowing as usual. I rang the bell, I didn't want to barge in because if I did that it might just piss off Holly more.

Someone opened the door and came in front when I noticed that it was Luke - f.uck.

I still don't know how to behave after what happened the last time.

"Hey." I said nonchalantly.

I forgot to put my stupid lip gloss and my lips were probably chapped as shit. Oh my god, I'm going to blush now.

"Hi Miley. Actually, if Holly hasn't told you yet, she's grounded." He said and his lips formed into a frown. He looked really tense.

"She didn't. But, I can come in right?" I asked.

"No, I'm sorry but she's not allowed to see you until she works on her behaviour." Luke said.

"Oh.. actually I - well nevermind I'll just leave." I said before I turned around to go down the steps.

"Wait!" Luke yelled.

"Yeah?"

"You can't be with her, doesn't mean you can't talk to me. Want this handsome hunks company?!" Luke chimed and I couldn't control my laughter, it was cute.

"Okay okay, I'll keep you company."

"But not here, she'll know. Want to grab a bite with me?" Luke said before a glint appeared in his eyes.

I bit my lip. Is he asking me out on a date?

No you idiot, he has a wife and daughter, it's just a friendly lunch.

"O-Okay." I said my cheeks flushing yet again.

"Great! Can you wait out here please? I'll just some money and change my clothes." Luke said.

I nodded and walked outside of the main entry gate, and stood on the street surrounded my green trees. This was a really posh locality.

•

ʟᴜᴋᴇ

I hurriedly closed the door not wanting to keep my princess waiting. Yes, I was finally taking her out. This was going to be great.

I need some time to take off my mind off things at home too.

"Babe? Who was at the door?" Gillian's voice rung through my ears and I winced.

"Just the .. the mailman." I coughed.

She walked out of the room her face covered in a face mask. That's all she can do these days — focus on herself rather than me.

"Okay, What was the mail?"

"Just some trash, I threw it - um - outside, in the Dustibin. . Ofcourse," I chuckled. Goddamn I'm such a bad liar

"Oh okay, anyways, I'm serving lunch. Holly already made herself a bowl of ramen so she's not having it with us. I set our fo-"

Don't feel guilty Luke.

"Actually Gill, I'm going out for lunch with uh.. a colleague of mine. Dean? Uh you probably don't know him he's new. So, I'll eat this for dinner okay?" I said and my palms started getting sweaty.

Guilt

"Invite him over. My cookin isn't that bad, he's going to love it." Gillian said her eyes shining. She loves to impress my colleagues.

"Actually he's already there, so I'll see you later, I gotta rush." I said.

I didn't waste time and took the money on the dining table left for emergency purposes and walked out of the house, without changing.

I can't lie. Especially not to my wife.

I spotted Miley outside the main gate, next to the street.

She looked so beautiful in those casual clothes, her long legs were shining under the sun and they looked gorgeous.

"Wow, if that's what you call changing clothes," she smirked at me.

I shook my head, "I didn't want to keep you waiting, Miss."

She chuckled.

"Is it okay if we walk? The restaurant isn't far by." I said hoping to not make her uncomfortable.

"Sure, I love walking."

As we walked, I took my own time to admire her, her beautiful face, her gorgeous eyes, her full lips and oh how much I'd want to kiss them

"Why is Holly grounded?" She asked me, looking in my direction. A blush appeared on her cheeks probably because she realised I had been staring at her.

"Sorry. . . Uhm Holly's grounded because she was rude to her mother and I. She's lagging behind in her studies, and spending to much time with friends." I said.

"A.k.a me. I'm the only friend she has." Miley said before biting on her lip.

Fuck I'm getting horny over a 16 year old

"Aaand that's why you thought I shouldn't be with her." She completed before rolling her eyes.

"I'm sorry - are you hurt?" I asked because she definitely looked hurt.

"A little bit, I'm much less of a distraction than she is anyways. She's got some issues at her school." Miley said.

Before she could continue further she coughed slightly and her eyes widened.

At Holly's school?

"Miley? What happens at Holly's school?"

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have said that. I can't talk about it. I've made a promise to her." Miley said.

"Princess, she's my daughter. I have the right to know what's hurting her." I didn't even realise as the word princess fluently swept through my tongue. I really have to be more careful. I can't call her that ever in front of Gill or even Holly. It's our secret name.

"I know but I can't - "

"I won't tell her. I'll wait until she comes to us. Okay? Just tell me. I don't know what goes in her life." She sighed.

"Well... convincing enough. So even I don't know that much but from what I know, is that she gets bullied in the school at a minor level, like verbal bullying. People call her fat and ugly and none of the girls want to be friends with her. She gets sad and lonely sometimes. Then if anyone even becomes friends with her, it's all because of you . . . "

"Wait why because of me?" I interjected.

"Because they think you're hot and they wanna get closer to you, through Holly."

"Woah. Teenage girls these days," I said brushing off the comment.

And then it hit me - Miley is a teenage girl too and I probably sounded rude and she probabilities took offence.

"I'm sorry - I didn't -"

"It's okay. I understand, I'm an adult anyways right?" She chuckled it off and I was glad. It felt as if we were starting to understand each other more and more.

And yeah I was falling for her. Shame on me.

"That's actually sad, she's never told me that. We need to do something before this minor bullying becomes something serious," I said.

"Y-Yeah but I feel like she hasn't told me everything."

"Why?" I asked.

"Because she never mentioned why the other girls don't like her, or even guys. There has to be a reason. And I know Holly doesn't even look like a mean person and she is a 1000 Miles away from being one. Then I don't know what's the problem." She finished.

True. Holly has always had social skills problem and I've never thought about it until now.

"Do you think uhm that uh its a - it's a social disorder?" I muttered my hands shaking.

I couldn't imagine my baby girl facing any issue like this. She's my little girl after all. I have to look after her.

"No! I do not! I fear it's something else." She said.

"Oh there's the restaurant." I smiled at Miley pointing towards the restaurant.

Two things were on my list now:

1) find out what was up with Holly

2) find out what I'm going to do with my thoughts about Miley, pursue them, or leave them?

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