Arabella Rivera My phone buzzed. I had been in my room, toweling my hair as I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I wasn't sure how long I had been standing there, gaping at the girl who looked like a total stranger. It was like I wasn't myself anymore. But wasn't sure if this was the better version or not. It all took a couple of hours to have my life turn to nothing but ruins. My so-called perfect family wasn't so perfect anymore. Sweeping or gluing the pieces back together was impossible now. And the look on mother's face said exactly that. My phone starts to ring and successfully draws me away from the mirror. I walked stark naked to my bed, wrapping the towel around me when I reached the bed and grasp my phone. Haiden. I swiped my thumb over the answer button quickly, biting my lip while I pull the phone to my ear. I had completely forgotten about my promise to call him as soon as I reach here. He must've been worried. "Bella!" His panicked voice pierced through the phone and assaulted my eardrums. I winced, pulling the phone away from my ear for a couple of seconds before pulling it back. "I know, I know. I'm sorry, I was busy digging through a few things. Completely got sidetracked." I whispered, looking at my door to make sure it was locked. I didn't want mother to know that Haiden knew as yet. She'd be embarrassed that father had been doing all those things behind her back and it took one teenage boy to set the alarm. A teenage boy she had not fancied for me before. "Aren't you supposed to be in class?" I asked. "Break time. I'm outside." Was he smoking now? I didn't want to ask him. Felt it wasn't my place to judge him for relapsing. "Were you crying? Bella, you better tell me what's going on right now or I swear to God I'm coming down there to find out myself." Haiden demands. I rolled my eyes. Did he have to know me so well that he could detect when I had been crying or not? "You're right, I had been crying earlier. I'm okay now so don't worry. Finding out your father isn't who he says he is, is shocking you know." I laughed uneasily, swiping my fingers through my damp hair.Haiden takes a few seconds to respond. "I'm so sorry Bella," He whispers seeming to truly feel bad about what was happening. I scoffed. "You don't have to be sorry about anything Haiden. You're not the one who's an asshole......I mean you were at some point though- "Bella." His warning tone made me grin. Chuckling lowly, I said. "Kidding." "You're okay though, right?" He asked, sounding deeply worried for my safety. Ironic since father had the target on him. "I'm fine Haiden. Just a little frustrated that I hadn't known about anything. It took her for telling me to even realize that the signs were always there. " I gritted, walking over to my closet. I couldn't help but feel stupid for ever trusting Gweneth. The betrayal was so raw to me that I could feel the pain of it all again. "Bella- My head snapped to my door when I heard the sound of tires. Did mother leave? "Hey Haiden, I'll call you back." I tried to keep the urgency out of my voice, not wanting to alarm him. I was certain he'd come barreling down the street if he so much as suspect anything amiss. "Make sure you actually call me this time." He demanded. I smiled, picturing his irritated features. How did I get so lucky? "I will." After saying goodbye and hanging up, I walked over to the window facing the front of the house. My breath catches in my throat when my eyes fall on the very familiar car that belonged to my father parked beside the curb. What the hell was he doing here? He was back so early? My heart stopped before starting to thud painfully in my ears. I quickly pull away from the window when the driver's door opens. Walking back over to my closet I quickly slip on some clothes. It was strange of him to come back from work so early. Him coming back so early can't be good. -"Where's Arabella?" His voice is strained, almost as if he was holding himself back from yelling. "She's uh, upstairs Mr. Rivera." Gertrude's voice spoke softly. I pressed my back to the wall I was hiding behind and peeked downstairs. I couldn't really see him from here. "And my wife?" He grunts, his shoes tapping on the tiles as he walked in further. "Upstairs too Mr. Rivera," Gertrude says with a hint of hatred. She must've remembered what I said about him and Gweneth. "Stay here until I call you down." Mother's soft voice washes past me. Embarrassed to be caught eavesdropping, she smiles reassuringly before gliding down the staircase. I didn't fail to notice that she had changed into a cotton dress which was not her usual attire. But I also hadn't failed to notice that her eyes were red which indicated that she had been crying. I peeked behind the wall when she was downstairs. "You're home early." I could hear it in her voice that she didn't want to speak to him. It almost felt like it was a chore to. "Arabella's principal called me," Father answered. Mr. Gibbern was such a backstabbing idiot. I had specifically told him to not call father, yet he did. "I told him to always inform me of how Arabella's doing in the school. He was disappointed in her actions today and I'm even more disappointed in her. Where is she?" He asked angrily. "It's all that delinquent fault. Arabella was never one to fight with anyone. She has completely changed and it's not for the better." He hisses. He was keeping tabs on me in the school? It takes a few stilling seconds for mother to respond, her voice going emotionless. " Did he tell you who she fought?" "Yes he did and that's exactly why I've come here. What has gotten into Arabella to have fought with Gwen? See what I've said Margie, she has turned into someone we can't- "Shut up." Mother snaps. My eyes widen, not expecting her to go from zero to a hundred so quickly. "Margie-Father begins to growl not liking his wife's sudden attitude that reeked of anger. "You have some nerve coming here acting like Arabella and Haiden are the problem. You're the problem here John, not them. You're the one who caused this by not keeping your dick in your pants and sleeping with a minor. A fucking minor, an underage girl John! You took advantage of a young underage girl you bastard! A girl that was your daughter's best friend. You're the fucking problem!" Mother blasted, her voice shaking through the thin walls.