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after the prank we all went home to get some sleep before actual school started.

i managed to sneak it without waking my dad and had a quick 3 hour nap before having to be up for school.

the school day was normal, i couldn't concentrate as i was too anxious about meeting my mom after school. unfortunately for me the day went fast and i found myself sat in a booth at mickey's waiting for her.

"hi sweetheart, are you okay?" mrs conway greeted me.

"hi casey, i'm okay, just waiting for my mom."

"oh so she's back then?"

"yeah, i'm here to chat to her."

"that's good sweetie, just shout if you need anything, i'll have charlie on speed dial if you need him."

"thank you casey," i said as she gave me a smile.

i sat in the booth, sipping on my chocolate milkshake. i checked my watch realising she was already 15 minutes late.

i was placing money to pay for my milkshake on the table just as she walked in and sat down.

"you're late," i spoke in a monotone voice.

"i know i'm sorry, i got caught up," she apologised.

"what do you want to talk about?" i asked her tapping my fingers on the table.

"about us. i want to be apart of your life again athena. i know i haven't been there and i'm sorry for that but i want to get to know my eldest daughter now, you mean so much to me."

"i clearly didn't mean that much to you when you left."

"you did sweetie, i was just scared."

"yeah well so was i mom, growing up without you was hard but dad was there! he filled in for you when you disappeared."

"i know i shouldn't have left, i'm so sorry but i want to make it up to you."

"okay, but you better not fuck it up otherwise i'm gone," i said to her.

"yes okay thank you. can i take you out now?" she asked.

"erm yeah sure."

"okay let's go to the music store, do you still love music?" she asked.

"yes i still love music," i laughed.

"okay then let's go," she said leading me out after paying for my milkshake.

we spent an hour in the music store, looking at new guitars, playing music and she even bought me new posters. we were finally getting along, but of course everything went down hill from there.

we walked out of the music shop laughing, i was about to thank her for the day when we were interrupted by a man with two girls walking up to us.

"mommy!" the little girl screamed running up to my mom, she had to be about 6 while the other girl looked only a bit younger than me.

"mom?" i questioned.

"athena, this is my husband and daughters," she quietly explained.

"what?" i questioned quietly.

"wait how old are you?" i questioned the oldest girl.

"13 nearly 14," she said.

"that's why you left! you cheated on dad! you were pregnant! you left us to have another family and you've came back cause you feel guilty! fuck you mom, i don't ever want to see you again!" i said to her as tears streamed down my face, throwing the posters she bought me at her feet.

"athena! athena!" sue continued to shout but i ran until my feet hurt and i found myself sat on a bench in the dark.

i placed my head in my hands as i sat on the bench, silent sobs escaping my mouth.

"athena?" a soft voice questioned.

adam.

"hey, hey, hey, are you okay? come here," he said pulling me into a hug causing me to sob more.

"come on let's get you home yeah?" he spoke softly pulling me off the bench and guided me home.

he took my keys off of me opening my front door and walked me to my bed where he tucked me in as bertie jumped on my bed and licked away my tears.

"thank you," i croaked out.

"it's okay athena, do you need anything before i go?"

"no it's okay, you've done enough just please lock the door on the way out," i asked him.

"yeah i can do that, call me if you need me," he said before he kissed my forehead and left me alone.

i stayed awake until 4am crying while hugging bertie, once my dad arrived home from his night shift he came and checked on me.

he saw my tear stained face and without any words exchanged he just laid next to me and stroked my hair until i fell asleep.

i woke up at around 1pm the next day, too tired and drained to care that i'd missed the JV and varsity scuffle this morning.

i left my dad to sleep while i got dressed so i could go to school and go speak to coach.

i placed my headphones on and headed straight to coaches office once i made it to school.

"come in!" coach shouted as i knocked on his door.

"hey coach, can i speak to you pleaee?"

"yes of course athena, come on in and take a seat."

"i want to talk to you about my position in hockey, i want my defensemen position back coach. i've worked so hard to get there and i want to come back. hockey is my life coach, it makes me feel like i can actually breath once i'm on the ice. i want it back coach. i need it back."

"you have it back athena. you've always had that position i just needed to test your attitude and you've reacted well, you'll be back after the next game we have, you'll be our secret weapon against JV and varsity considering the team ruined that this morning. how come you weren't there? i didn't see you."

"sorry coach just had a few rough weeks. my mom who i haven't seen for years randomly shows up and i've just found out she has another family."

"i'm sorry athena, you know you can always come here if you need anything," he said to me with a small smile.

"thank you coach."

"i'll put in this day for you to have study leave so it won't go down on your attendance," he said to me.

"you're a life saver coach thank you," i said with a smile as i left.

once i left school i made my way to hans shop to keep him company while i waited for school to end.