Coast to Coast by Melanie Ting

Coast to Coast by Melanie Ting

Author:Melanie Ting
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Melanie Ting


25

Daddy Dearest

Lily

* * *

Universe: two, Lily Larson: zero.

Now I have ex-boyfriend issues on two continents. Seriously, how many women can claim that? It’s a horrible claim to fame, but still.

Ever since New Year’s Eve, I’ve been going through the motions. I’m back at school, my courses are fine, and it’s good to see everybody again. I’d like to think that living in Sweden changed me and made me a better person. Unfortunately, my friends chalk up any changes in me to everything that happened with Jason. Which means I haven’t changed for the better.

I’ve spent way too many nights second-guessing myself. How did I go out with Jason for four months and never realize he was a total user? And calling Gabe was an act of desperation. I can’t run crying to him whenever something goes wrong in my life. We’re not getting back together, and my stupid issues are not his problem anymore.

When I get up for school and go into my bathroom, I have the lovely surprise of knowing I look like crap warmed over too.

“Fuck you very much, Life,” I say to the mirror.

My shower helps a little. I get dressed and go downstairs. My mother has her morning conveyer belt going: breakfast, lunches, packed knapsacks. However, Seb is the only one sitting at the kitchen counter. Yippee. Another great start to the day.

“Good morning, darling,” my mother says. “Would you like breakfast? Seb is having waffles.”

Seb mutters something, which I suspect is a compliment to the waffles but I can’t understand him.

“Try swallowing your food first,” I suggest.

“Lily!” My mother manages to inject my name with an extra message: my daughter would never be so rude.

“Sorry, Mom. You said he was one of the family. I’m treating him just like Alexander.” I pour myself a cup of coffee.

“I could make you a cappuccino instead,” my mother offers. She has a brand new espresso machine that she loves to use.

“I’m fine.” I fix up my cereal. Mercifully, there is no filmjölk here, but in every other way I wish I were still in Lund. I woke up happy every goddamn morning. Well, until Gabe broke up with me. Ugh, if bad things come in threes, I’m due for one more.

As I contemplate this horrible prospect, Seb winks at me across the counter. Gross. Can I not find peace in my own house? Maybe his presence in my life is the third bad thing.

I pour more coffee into my travel mug and grab an apple from the fruit bowl. But it’s a winter apple, so it’s not satisfyingly crisp. Nothing is going to make me happy today.

“I made a lunch for you.” My mother presents me with an environmentally-approved Neoprene lunch sack which is probably filled with unnecessary packaging.

“Thank you.” I jump up and stuff the lunch into my knapsack. Then I notice that Seb is checking out my ass. I really, really don’t have the energy for this. I’m ten minutes early, but I’m leaving anyway, just to get away from Hockey Boy.



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