Page 155 of Missed Notes (Rixon High 5)

It would have been easy to head straight up to my room and ignore him. But I was desperate for a drink and something to eat, so I sucked it up and went into the kitchen.

“How is she?” he asked.

“Do you care?”

I’d known when I’d texted her that Mom would tell him where I was and what had happened, but his sudden interest caught me off guard.

“Cole, Son…”

I started rifling through the refrigerator, looking for some leftovers. “They’re keeping her in overnight.”

“That’s some anemia.” His brow quirked up.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” My spine stiffened, not liking his tone.

“Are you sure she isn’t starving herself? You hear all kinds of stories these days and she’s a young girl. The pressures to stay thin and pretty are—”

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I spat, my body vibrating with anger.

He shot up off his stool and glowered at me. “Watch your mouth, Son.”

“Or what Dad? What are you going to do? Hit me?”

“Oh, for God’s sake, Cole.” He glowered. “Be reasonable. This girl has got you all twisted up inside when she’s clearly unstable. Is that really the type of girl you want to waste your time on? Someone who cares that much about her appearance to starve herself. That’s not—”

“Stop. Just stop,” I snapped, my chest heaving. “Sofia isn’t unstable. She isn’t starving herself or on a crash diet, Dad. She’s sick.”

The words landed like a bombshell.

“Sick? I don’t understand.”

“Of course you don’t. Because she couldn’t possibly be suffering, right? You’re so quick to judge. To fit everyone into your black and white view of the world. But things aren’t always black and white.”

“Cole, I—”

“The girl I love is sick, really sick, Dad, and you care more about how it affects me and your plans for me. You know, sometimes I wonder how it’s even possible I’m yours.”

Defeat rolled through me. He didn’t get it—he never would. He cared too much about work, about peoples’ perception of him and his family.

“Son, that’s not fair. I just want the best for you. I just want—”

“Newsflash,Curtis. We don’t always get what we want. I’m going to grab some stuff and go.”

“What the hell are you talking about? Go? Go where? It’s late and—”

“I can’t stay here tonight.” I headed for the door.

“Cole, Son, that’s—”

“Whatever you’re about to say, don’t bother. I don’t want to hear it.”

It felt good to walk away from him, but I knew if I walked out tonight, I might never find my way back.

And strangely, I was okay with that.

I didn’t waste any time, shoving some clean clothes and essentials into my duffel bag.

Pulling my cell phone out of my pocket, I opened my text chat to Aaron.

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