The Wallflower's Revenge

“No.” It was a firm answer. I was expecting this response but I guess it’s very painful hearing it directly from him. I looked down and sighed. I nodded as I put the chocolate bar in its place as we passed by the sweets section. “But dad…” I tried insisting. I walked with him, catching up on his fast-paced kind of walking. However, he ignored me as if he’s never heard someone talking. “I told you many times. The ones that you wanted to put inside our cart were all junk foods. I don’t want to spend a penny on something that’s not beneficial for our body.” “Seriously, dad?” I told him in a rising tone. I can’t believe him! Always! He never failed to disappoint me. “Yes, I am, missy. Now, get what’s right and hurry up. We still have a lot of things to do.” “But dad…” “No buts. You heard me, right?” “Y-Yes.” I sighed as I frowned while looking in his direction. He walked towards the other aisle getting what he wanted. He didn’t even try to ask for my opinion. Instead, he’s selecting all the foods he’s buying himself. If this is the case, then why did he ever let me go with him, anyway? He’s the only one that’s been choosing all the foods that we could possibly fill our pantry and fridge. He’s not even asking if  I like those things that he’s selecting or not. I glanced at the things he put inside the shopping trolley cart that I am pushing for him. Everything was either green, red and yellow...a rainbow of healthy foods. However, from the sight of it, I want to get sick all of a sudden. I sighed once again as I frowned. I looked at him standing erect beside me. He’s holding a box of milk but he’s reading all the nutritional value from its back. “Hmm…” I could hear the sound which vibrated through his lips. That familiar, intimidating sound that I hate to hear whenever he’s selecting even the food and breakfast that I will eat every morning. I scratched my head out of frustration. When his eyes shifted his gaze at me, I forced myself to smile. I know it was kind of awkward but at least, I’m trying. He smiled too, as he shifted back his gaze to what he’s reading. I badly wanted to go to the other aisles but I know his reaction will be if I do it. I rested my arms on the handle of the shopping trolley as I impatiently sighed. Whenever I go shopping with my father, it takes ages but what can I do? My mom is too busy with her job. I almost couldn’t remember her facial features anymore because I couldn't often see her as much as I could. When I looked up to my father, he smiled at me as he put that box of milk from the shopping trolley. I am pushing the trolley in front of me with a frown. When he turned his back, I rolled my eyes and sighed silently. Looking at what he placed inside, He put five boxes in total. Can you believe it? Who will drink soy and almond milk? Are those even milk in the first place? Yuck! I stomped my feet as I tailed him going to the snack aisle. There were Cheetos, Reeses, Lays, and other potato chips and my mouth is almost watering because of cravings. I looked at him again, hoping that he would pick one for me but then we ended up with dried fruits as snacks. I stomped my feet because of frustration because of what my dad is doing right now. “What’s wrong, Ley?” I don’t know if he’s being sarcastic or he’s not aware that I wanted potato chips instead of dried fruits. My goodness! “Dad, you know what? My nickname sounded like my favorite snack.” I said while grinning. This is another attempt if he will allow me to get the snack of my preference. “What?” Poor him, he has no idea of what I’m referring to, either. “You know...Ley sounds like ‘Lays’, right?” I said while pulling a bag of Lays behind me as I grinned in front of him. “Hmm…” He sounded that one again and it made me nervous.  “Look...Ley,” I pointed at myself. “And, Lays,” I almost pushed to him the biggest bag of Lays that I ever found. I looked into his eyes like a puppy or a kitten who wanted to be pitied by whoever would see me. He smiled at last and nodded. “Yihaaa! You’re the best dad ever!” I jumped for joy as I got the biggest Lays possible. I got my barbeque-flavored Lays but he selected the bag of Lays with a ‘65% less fat’ label on it. I wanted to whine but I’d rather not. He might put this snack back and leave me crying inside Walmart. We went outside with a bag full of groceries. I wasn’t very interested in the things he personally hand-picked for me. When he’s done with dumping everything from the backseat of the car, he immediately goes to the driver's seat and sits beside me. “I won’t tolerate it.” He said some words that left me in silence. I folded my arms as I looked in the other direction. “S-Sorry, dad. I just miss eating chips, that's all.” I heard his silent sigh beside me. I noticed that he’s very focused on the road while driving. I also held my chips as I started to open them. It’s a bit small from my desired size for a bag of chips. Hence, it’s better than nothing at all. “I noticed that you dared to want that bag of chips all of a sudden. What happened? Are you celebrating or something?” He smiled as he turned the steering wheel. His eyes were still focused on the road. I only looked at him and said nothing. I couldn’t help but smile. I'm feeling confident that my phone will be returned to me again. Dad didn’t know that I changed the name of my boyfriend, from Walter into Wilma in my contacts. Whatever cheesy text messages my boyfriend will send me, I am confident that my dad will not suspect that I already had a boyfriend. He will not suspect it anyway because Walter is just texting me. He just calls me whenever I’m telling him to call me. “Thanks, Dad, you’re the best!” I couldn't help but be excited as he handed my phone to me again. Even with gadgets, my dad is the strictest person in the world when it comes to discipline. “You will return your mobile phone to me tomorrow afternoon at five. Is that clear?” “It’s as clear as crystal, dad. I will remember it.” I smiled and got a hold of my phone again. I sent a text message to my “secret boyfriend” informing him about my “current” freedom again.  “Dad, I will just go to my room!” As soon as we got home and my dad parked the car in our garage, I went straight to my room to call my boyfriend right away. “I missed you.” I smiled as I looked around, making sure my father didn’t follow me up to my room. “I missed you too,” The other line answered back in a husky tone. I couldn’t help but giggle. Hearing his voice would often complete my day, most especially coming from Walter, my boyfriend since last year. He was one of the most popular boys in our school and I never thought I could make him mine despite dad being very strict. “Wow, you got your phone back, congratulations.” He chuckled while I couldn't help but frown because of what he said just now. “This is the result of having a strict father, hope you’re still bearing with me.” “Of course, as if I have a choice.” “I love you.” “I love you too. See you tomorrow at school.” I looked back again as I ended the call. The truth is, I was just keeping my voice low because I am afraid my dad could hear me. Knowing him being a strict father would often let me think that walls have ears indeed. I put my phone in my pocket and I stepped forward to my study table to open my notes and study my books for our lessons tomorrow. I have to also maintain my grades because of the scholarship I am on right now. I am in an exclusive school. My family could afford to send me to this kind of school because I am their only daughter. However, I wanted to prove to my parents that I am also trying my best for them to continuously be proud of me. I know it’s the least that I could do for them. The next morning, I was walking down the hall but my head was almost spinning because I had been searching for Walter somewhere. However, when I realized that he’s with his friends, I just avoided even his gaze because I know he will be the laughing stock of his friends if they will see me hanging out with him. I sighed as I looked at him from afar. Yes, he’s my boyfriend now but I could feel that he is still out of reach. I looked down as I gazed at my sneakers. I rubbed its tip against a rock nearby when some of my girl's bullies bumped into me, shoulder to shoulder that it hurts when they always do it. “Oopsie...we thought we saw a tree that’s walking.” Eveelia put one of her hands on her hips as she raised an eyebrow. Her two friends were beside her, laughing their hearts out. I closed my fist even more as I looked down as swallowed. I sighed as I tried to look her in the eyes. I feel insulted and resentful at her at the same time for what she did to me. Eveelia...nobody in school ever knew her. She’s a queen bee and the leader of the bullies. Once she sees you roaming around and she’s in the mood for a show, she will always give you what you deserve. “Hello, piece of junk…” She smiled as she opened her hands as if she wanted to do a handshake. “Are you sure you'll shake her hands? You said that she’s a piece of junk, right?” Another girl grinned as she looked at Eveelia. My heart started to race. This is the least of the situations that I expect to happen when I will be in school. I only like to study in peace. Now? I feel like I am doomed. “Yeah, but I am changing my mind. Now, I suddenly want to be friends with her.” “Why?” She looked at one of the girls that were tailing her with an icy stare. “Sorry, I am in a hurry. I have to leave now if you're all going to excuse me.” I interrupted them as I I tried to step forward, however, Eveelia grabbed my arm and made me stand in front of her. “Not so fast, okay?” She smiled. However, it seemed like she’s insulted by what I just did. I saw her looking at her friends chuckling because of what I did to her. “What do you want?” I bravely answered. Eveelia received a booing sound from all of her friends. I saw her clenching her fists as she frowned all of a sudden. “Hey, are you stronger now, huh?” Eveelia pushed me by forcing her hands forward to both of my shoulders. I fell, feeling my bum on the ground. I writhe in pain. “C’mon, girls. We are wasting our time here," I followed them with my gaze as I tried to get up. I felt like my day was already over because of that wicked witch.