Fuentes Life

I looked through the windscreen and a smile crossed my lips. I looked across to Alysha and she raised her eyebrows at me. I tapped my fingers on the dashboard and checked myself over in the mirror.
"We should wait." Alysha said.
"Yeah, we should." I grinned.
"You'll steal her thunder."
"Don't be stupid," I mocked. "Everyone knows I am only here to celebrate my fathers birthday."
"Is that why you've waited until Mike texted to say she's giving her speech."
"Right." I smiled widely.
"Who am I kidding? I almost hate her as much as you." Alysha laughed.
We got out of the car and I headed for the house. I opened up with my key and we walked through into the sitting room. Everyone was sitting or standing. I spotted Dad standing away from everyone while Emma had all the attention on her as she talked.
"Effy!" Jaime called across the room.
Everyone looked over and I smiled lightly. I watched Dad grin and he came over to me. "Effy, I thought you couldn't come!" Dad exclaimed relived.
"I couldn't miss out on this." I smiled and Dad pulled me in for a hug.
"I've missed you so much," he told me. "It hasn't been the same with you in LA."
Hasn't it? From what I heard they've been okay. Mike said he's been handling it better than he thought. He's been doing things he couldn't when I've been around. Going out. Drinking. Probably letting his devil girlfriend throw out all of my stuff.
"I've missed you too." I eventually said.
"How did you get here?"
"Alysha drove. I have a shoot down here and she's being my escort." I explained.
"A shoot?" Dad echoed.
"I've been doing some modelling work. Alysha's been coaching me ever since I went with her and they asked for my portfolio. It's all fully clothed, don't worry." I said.
"Wow, that's great!" Dad gasped. "Alysha's a great teacher."
"We're super close. With me sharing with her and everything." I explained.
"Effy." Emma said. She walked over and I felt someone touch my back. Alysha was standing behind me protectively, watching Emma.
"Sorry about the speech. But me coming in sort of shook everything up." I said smoothly.
"That's okay." she replied and smiled falsely at me.
"We're sorry we missed your birthday too." Alysha said. "How old were you again?"
"Alysha." Mike warned, coming to her side.
"I was twenty two."
"Lovely, I can't wait until I'm twenty two." I smiled.
"Only three more years, Ef." Alysha told me easily.
"I give up." I heard Mike mutter.
"Effy!" Tony called. I grinned and went over to him and Tony. I hugged them and they looked at me.
"You're looking even older." Jaime laughed.
"I'm getting older." I giggled.
"You chose the best time to come in." Tony said sarcastically.
"I know." I grinned.
"Alysha looks ready to put rat poison in Emma's soda."
"Soda," I mocked. "Who doesn't drink?"
"People who aren't legal like say you." Jaime reminded me.
"Shut it." I scrunched my face up at him.
"Can I have everyone's attention!" Mike suddenly called. I went to stand over my him and Alysha. Mike wrapped his arm around Alysha and she smiled. "You're pregnant!" Jess gasped.
"No!" Alysha rushed. "No, no, no."
"Oh, then that?" Jaime asked.
"Alysha is moving in with me." Mike told everyone.
"I'm moving to San Diego." Alysha added.
"That's great!" Dad exclaimed. He went to hug Mike and Alysha but then he came to me. I saw Emma hovering at his side like some kind of annoying bug before she disappeared. "And you?" Dad asked.
"I'm moving too." I said.
"You are!" Dad's face lit up.
"I'm moving back to San Diego." I said smugly and saw Emma across the room try to keep a straight face.
"That's so great! You don't know how much I've missed you!" Dad rushed. "Your room hasn't been touched and everything is just as it was before. I've been cleaning it for you. We can have a welcome home dinner. All your favourites and everyone can-"
"Stop!" I snapped. "I'm moving to San Diego. That doesn't mean I'm moving back home."
"Then where?"
"I'm staying with Alysha and Mike still. They said they want me. I can't move back in here." I said.
"But why?" Dad asked me desperately.
"You know why." I muttered and folded my arms across my chest.
"Effy," Dad sighed. He pulled me to the side away from Emma and everyone. "I need you home, baby. What can I do to make you stay?"
"Nothing." I looked down.
"Effy," he sighed. "This has gone on for long enough."
"But she's still here." I rushed.
"She isn't going anywhere."
"I thought you were different to-"
"To who?"
"Mom." I said simply.
"I am," Dad told me softly and cupped my face in his hands. "I just don't want to choose between you."
"Would you choose me?" I asked.
"Vic!" Emma came over, butting in.
"They're taking!" Alysha exclaimed. "Can't you see - you-!
"Babe." Mike had grabbed her. He was pulling her away now.
"I'm not staying here with her, not after what she said to me last time."
"Don't talk about her like she isn't even here." Dad sighed.
"Forget it!" I held my hands up. "I came, I tried. I'm gone." I turned away from him.
"Effy." Dad sighed.
"Alysha!" I yelled.
"What's wrong?" Alysha asked, coming over.
"I want to go." I muttered.
"Sure." she smiled. She looked up at Dad and shook her head.
"Effy!" he stopped in front of me. He held my shoulders roughly and looked into my eyes. "Please, I don't want to lose you again."
I looked him up and down. My eyes softened but then I saw Emma hovering over in the corner. Then I pushed Dad away and glared. "Too bad." I huffed and pulled Alysha outside with me.

Notes

Well hello! Who's missed this story? I know I have. What did you think? What will happen? Does anyone have any predictions? I'll try to update but I'm super busy with work, college and then the Keep Kind Project. I'll do what I can. How are you all? Tell me! Stay lovely! xoxo