Be Careful Who You Trust Chapter 5.1

Chapter 5

“Katie! Downstairs!” My dad did not sound happy. I really couldn’t blame them for being upset with me but I wish I could just explain my reasons. Wouldn’t that be fun?

I groaned and peeked my eyes open. Nathan was right, it was seven-thirty. Of course they would wake me up early because this was the first form of punishment for going out last night. In all truth, I found this one to be the worst. Too bad Zander didn’t kill me.

I swung myself out of bed and sluggishly changed into a comfortable pair of leggings – which I made sure had pockets- and a red Elvis T-shirt. I stuck my phone in my pocket, just in case this whole thing went south and I had to leave. It never hurt to take precautions.

I looked at myself in the mirror and grimaced. Dad wouldn’t appreciate it if I showed up for a serious talk with my hair a mess and my make-up smeared. I quickly took off the smeared make-up with a wet Q-tip and brushed my hair out. I threw it in a quick braid so that Dad couldn’t use the “get your hair out of your face while I’m talking to you” thing. That was a favorite of his.

I walked down the stairs quietly, as if it would help ease their annoyance. I put my hand on my forehead, trying to stop it from spinning.

When I got to the living room, Mom and Dad were sitting on the two leather chairs directly across from the matching couch. That would be my spot. They loved this set up too. I think they liked how it made it feel more like an interrogation then a family chat. The only difference was that I didn’t care where I sat because I probably wouldn’t be listening anyways. If only they would allow me to bring a pair of headphones. That would be awesome.

As I walked in, Mom glanced behind her to look at me. Her pudgy nose was stuck high in the air and I could tell that she was going to be looking down it at me the whole time. She loved doing that. I don’t know what she liked about it but I guess it made her feel superior or something.

Dad just ignored me. He kept his gaze straight on the couch where I would sit. I took the hint and made my way past them and the coffee table to sit where they wanted me.

Once settled, Dad began, “Katie, your behavior lately isn’t acceptable. You are sixteen years old and still living under our roof. You think you can go gallivanting around with Nathan at all hours of the night and that we wouldn’t be a bit miffed about it. He is a deadbeat boy from that family. Your attitude towards the Bordens isn’t appreciated. We are your parents and you are not yet eighteen. In case your dead brain can’t get the message, you’re stuck with us until then and you will do as you are told.”

Straight to the point then.

How did he know I was with Nathan anyways? I guess he probably was watching out for me when I got home so he would have seen his car. Joy.

“Dad, why do you hate them so much? Yeah, I get it. You don’t like them but why do I have to have every thought and every feeling that you do? I may be your daughter but you can’t-”

I didn’t get a chance to finish before my Dad interrupted me, “I can do whatever I like. I am your Father, remember? And I don’t hate them. I don’t like them for the reason of last night. You were up all hours of the night with a boy. Alone for that matter. They are going to get you in trouble and I don’t need to have some child of yours to take care of.”

He really thought I was going to get myself pregnant? Thanks Dad.

“I’m not talking about last night because I get that, I really do. What I’m saying is that you won’t listen to me and you expect me to have every thought and every vendetta that you do. You’ve never had a problem with me hanging out with Jen or Austin or James. Why do you hate Nathan so much? What has he ever done to you?”

I could feel my anger start to spark as I went on. Dad didn’t look too impressed either. He was never patient and I knew that today was going to be the shittiest day of my life. Even more than yesterday and that’s saying something.

It was Mom that answered me, “Katie, don’t act like we haven’t given you a lot of leeway when it comes to that family. If it were up to me, you wouldn’t have anything to do with any of them. That girl is just as much of a bad example as her brother.” She nodded her head and crossed her legs.

I stood up, not able to take it anymore. I was about to say something when a pain so sharp throbbed in my mind making me fall back on the couch.

Zander crossed his legs and slouched his figure a little in the chair he was sitting in. He didn’t look very happy.

I gasped for air as the picture flew into my head. I could feel his sick, controlling demeanor from it and it made my head spin. I grabbed my head and tucked it in between my knees, trying to make the pressure ease a little.

I heard Mom scoff faintly, “Stop being so dramatic.” Her words were so distorted that I could barely even hear them.

I couldn’t answer her. My world was spinning around me and I felt a surge of nausea in my throat. I could hear my Mom talking with her disapproving voice but I couldn’t make out the words. It felt like my head was about to explode.

The picture and feeling disappeared just quickly as it had come. I sat there, leaning against the couch back and groaned. What just happened? It looked like Zander was in some sort of old, abandoned building. The windows had been boarded up and she remembered another presence there. She hadn’t seen who it was but she could feel them. She remembered the tense atmosphere when whoever it was walked in. Zander felt content but the other person was scared.

“Katie, enough! Your world isn’t ending!” Mom said, her voice taut with anger.

I breathed deeply, trying to give my lungs the necessary air to survive. They burned from lack of oxygen.

“Stop it! Please, just stop it!” I screamed. I couldn’t take their voices right now. Everything hurt and their voices were grating against my burning ears, sending sharp stabs into my mind.

They were both standing over me now. Dad raised his hand to strike me but I was done. I stood up quickly and grabbed his arm, twisting it behind his back. I threw all my weight into the move, making sure his arm would be sore for a while. If he knew what I was doing, he would have easily overpowered me but I had surprise to my advantage. Never before have I stood up to him. I would just take his abuse and cover up the bruises with long sleeves. I would make up some dumb excuse why I had a black eye.

Not today.