Chapter 4 – Chelsea
After practice, Taylor and I each head off to our different classes. She’s a literature major whereas I’m more of a science nerd. After class we meet up to go to lunch together as we almost always do.
“My Greek myths class was so boring,” she says, untying her ponytail holder and letting her thick, brown hair flow loose. “And I’m starving.”
“Me too,” I agree. “But first I have to stop by my dad’s office.”
“Why?” Taylor groans, scrunching up her nose.
She and my dad get along well enough, but she knows that he and I are prone to fight, and she likes to stay away from the conflict if she can help it.
“Because I know he’s there strategizing for the next game,” I tell her, feeling sorry for my dad for having a losing team when he always works so hard to make them better.
Calton isn’t a strong division school for football so it just doesn’t attract the good players. It’s not his fault, but he takes it personally.
“And I have to ask him about the party.”
“Oh yeah,” Taylor says. “But can’t you do that later, maybe? Like, at home?”
I just roll my eyes and keep walking towards my dad’s office. I know he likes Taylor and thinks she’s a good influence on me. So I want her there with me.
It’s ironic, because she didn’t grow up with such a strict father like him— in fact, her dad left when she was young, leaving her mother to raise her. Her mom was busy working to provide for Taylor and her siblings as a single parent, so she wasn’t around to be as over-protective as my dad was. I have a brother, but it’s different with daughters.
As a result, Taylor is much more experienced with guys and with life in general than I am, but my dad still thinks I’m the bad one and she’s the good one. It works for me in times such as these, though, so I just go with it.
When we arrive at my dad’s office, I put on my best “Daddy, please” face before asking him my pressing question.
“Hi girls,” he says, looking up from a playbook.
Then, he looks at the clock with a worried face. “Don’t you have class?”
“No, Dad,” I tell him reassuringly. “That was last semester. We have lunch first now.”
“Oh okay.”
His face relaxes, which makes me hopeful. I blurt out my question, before I get too afraid to ask him.
“Dad, Taylor and I would like to know if we can use the lake house for a little congratulatory party for the squad, after our competition next weekend.”
“A party?” he asks, and I can tell he’s about to say no right away.
“Chelsea doesn’t really mean ‘party party,’” Taylor jumps in, saving me. “Just a small get together to celebrate the kick-off of the new season.”
My dad squints an eye at us, not overly impressed.
“It’s also a getting to know you party for the new recruits,” Taylor quickly adds, and I wish I could give her a kiss on the cheek. She always knows just what to say to get him to give in. “We thought some bonding time would be nice.”
“I see.”
My dad sighs. He shoots me that look that says he’s about to give in to me even though he doesn’t really want to.
Yes.
I love my dad, and being Daddy’s little girl can definitely have its advantages, even though I wish he weren’t so overly protective of me all the time. I’m glad he’s been here for me after Mom passed away. It was the hardest thing that either of us have ever gone through, so at least we have each other.
“I suppose it’ll be all right,” he says. “On the condition that none of my players are present, of course.”
“Of course,” Taylor instantly confirms, and I flash back to memories of middle school, when we’d cross our fingers behind our backs during times such as these.
“That’s good,” Dad continues. “And don’t try to pull one over on me, because I’ll be on the other side of the lake at my usual fishing spot, so I plan on dropping by.”
“Sure, Daddy,” I say, leaning over his desk to give him a peck on the cheek. “Thank you! I can’t believe you said yes. Last year you said no.”
“But I told you to ask me again this year, didn’t I?”
“Yes.”
“Look, Sweetheart,” my dad says, leaning back in his chair and looking at me as if he’s not sure he wants to say anything further. “I know you’ve grown up a lot and that I can trust you. I’m proud of you.”
“Really?” I ask, suddenly feeling guilty for knowing that I want to invite the new player to this party, against my dad’s rules.
“Really. You’ve been through alot and you just keep keeping on. That takes real determination. I know how hard you’ve worked to get your team to this point.”
I nod.
“I’m glad that at least you realize that, Dad. Lots of people think cheerleaders are ditzy and shallow. But it’s a tough sport.”
“I know it is, honey. I’ve seen the long hours you put into planning and choreographing the routines. I know you and Taylor are good leaders of the squad. So I think you deserve a celebratory party. And I wish you all the best in this upcoming year. You too Taylor, of course.”
“Awww, thanks Dad,” I tell him.
Taylor chimes in with her thanks as well. I try to choke back tears. My dad isn’t usually the sentimental type, and what he said means a lot to me.
Taylor saves me once again by saying, “Well Mr. Thompson, we’d better get to lunch so we’ll be on time for class.”
“Have a good afternoon, Taylor,” he says, returning to his studies of the playbook. “You too, Sweetie.”
I’m torn between a confusing mix of feelings. I’m grateful for my dad’s kind words, but I’m also really excited to invite the new football player to the party my dad has forbidden him to attend.
I don’t know whether it’s the secrecy that’s causing my rush of adrenaline, or the thought of seeing the new guy again. I just know that I need to get that accomplished as soon as I possibly can, for the sake of my mental health. Because he’s all I can think about and it’s driving me crazy.