Unwelcome Feelings
The front doors of the school swung open as the final bell rang.
“Lala, we need to go—come on,” Melissa said, grabbing her wrist and pulling her through the crowded hallway.
Lala laughed softly. “Okay, okay… I’m coming.”
“You’re still coming to my house, right?”
“Yeah,” Lala nodded. “I said I would.”
Melissa’s house was quiet when they walked in, the familiar scent of cologne and clean linen filling the air.
“Dad! We’re home!” Melissa called out.
Todd stepped out from the kitchen, loosening his tie. “Hey, girls. How was school?”
“Good,” they both replied in sync.
He smiled, then looked at Melissa. “By the way, your mom wants you to call her.”
Melissa’s expression instantly hardened. “I can’t believe you still talk to her after what she did.”
The tension in the room thickened, but Lala stepped forward politely. “Hi, Mr. W—”
Todd chuckled lightly. “Girl, stop. It’s Todd… or Dad, if you’re here enough,” he said jokingly.
Lala smiled, unsure how to respond.
Later that evening, Todd stepped out briefly for work. When he returned, the house felt different—too quiet in some places, too loud in others.
Melissa’s bedroom door was shut.
Todd frowned. “Melissa?” he called, knocking. “Why is your door closed? You know the rules.”
No answer.
His jaw tightened, but he turned away, heading down the hall. A soft sound caught his attention—sniffling.
He pushed open the movie room door.
Lala sat curled up on the couch, tears slipping down her cheeks.
“Hey… hey,” Todd said, his voice softening immediately. “Lala, what’s wrong?”
She wiped her face quickly, embarrassed. “Nothing… I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine,” he said gently, sitting a careful distance away. “Talk to me.”
She hesitated, then whispered, “I’m just… tired of this. She always brings him over and leaves me alone.”
Todd exhaled slowly, glancing toward the hallway. “I’ll handle it.”
Lala shook her head. “No… it’s okay.”
There was a pause before she added quietly, “I don’t really have anywhere else anyway.”
Todd’s expression changed. “What do you mean?”
She looked down at her hands. “My parents… they drink. A lot. Sometimes… more than that.”
Silence filled the room.
Todd leaned forward slightly, his tone firm but kind. “Lala, you don’t have to deal with that alone. You can stay here. As long as you need. The guest room’s yours.”
Her eyes widened. “Really?”
“Really.”
Moments later, Todd walked back toward Melissa’s room and knocked once before opening the door.
“That’s enough. Lucas, time to go home.”
Lucas rolled his eyes, grabbing his jacket. “Dang, Lala. You gotta be jealous like that?”
“I’m not jealous!” Lala’s voice cracked from down the hall.
Melissa crossed her arms. “You always do this, Lala.”
“I just wanted to hang out,” Lala shot back.
The tension snapped like a wire pulled too tight.
Later that night, Lala hovered near the doorway of Melissa’s room.
“Can I just sleep in here tonight?”
Melissa didn’t even look up. “No.”
Todd’s voice cut in from behind. “That’s enough, Melissa. Be respectful.”
He turned to Lala. “Come on. I’ll get you set up.”
As the house settled into silence, Todd stood alone in his room, staring at nothing.
Something about tonight didn’t sit right with him.
The protectiveness he felt… it was stronger than it should’ve been.
He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated.
“This isn’t good,” he muttered under his breath.
But no matter how much he tried to shake it—
The feeling didn’t go away.
If you want, I can:
