Page 14 (1/2)

Chapter 1: Alyssa

Alyssa pulled into the driveway still s Cheer practice always oing to be the second best day of her life It was only second best, because tomorroas full of the proh school career crushing on Ryan Matthers he had finally asked her out! When he had asked her to be his date for dinner after toame, Alyssa had barely been able to contain the squeals of joy that threatened to bubble over fro into place

She sat in her car for a fewthe quiet of the sunset Once inside, the world would turn to a battlefield Alyssa would be forced to sit through dinner with her e three years ago had been the cause of ue Alyssa's life The problem was simple Cody wanted to act as if he was her father, and he wasn't Her father had died after a long battle with cancer six years ago and no one would ever take his place

Her stoet to bed on tiine and grabbed her backpack Its heavy weight reminded her of the math homework and the book report that was due on Monday She hadn't enjoyed school since her father died, but Alyssa forced herself to keep her grades up so she wouldn't be cut from the cheer squad The hours of her life it consumed, was a sht her overwhel joy

As she walked up the driveway, she thought about the promise she made to her father The preteen Alyssa had proe, and it was still in her plans She had already secured one scholarship to the state university and would receive others if she could keep her perfect grade point average up for the rest of the year Alyssa's ain that she would help her pay whatever the scholarships didn't, but with Cody in the picture she didn't trust her mother to keep the promise After all, hadn't she promised to love her father forever? Well, forever wasn't over and Cody sitting in her father's spot at the kitchen table provided proof that herher word

She took her backpack to her roo them at the dinner table

“You're late again,” Cody said

Alyssa shrugged, choosing not to answer hiht As she filled her plate, Alyssa tried to focus on how Ryan's eyes had lit up when she agreed to go on a date with hireat husband and she'd be a loyal wife She prayed he wouldn't leave her like her father had, but even if he did, she wouldn't remarry, especially to a jerk like Cody

“You didn't answer Cody, Alyssa,” herat her as she filled her plate with broccoli

“It is none of his concern why I a to stay calm and look nonchalant about the conversation that was unfolding

“We've been through this before, Alyssa,” her hed, “Cody worries about you just as much as I do”

“That's a nice sentihed and tried to focus on eating

Her sto its appeal Anger had always had a way of killing Alyssa's appetite

“Why can't you just come home on time?” Cody asked, “Don't you kno to pick up a phone and call if you're going to be late?”