Daddy's Little Girl - Mel Afoa

　

He notices something is wrong when she walks through the door.
She is crying, the tears falling softly down her plump cheeks. Eyeliner and mascara smudges crowd her green eyes, black on her soft, creamy skin. As she runs up the stairs, her hands unconsciously wipe the fallen tears. Sniffing softly, her feet move one by one up the long stairs.
"Wait", he calls to her. She slowly comes to a halt, still wiping her cheeks.
"What do you want?", she cries.
"What is wrong, honey?", he asks, walking slowly towards her.
"Leave me, Dad!", she screams, before climbing the stairs again. He wonders whether he should follow, but decides to leave the teenager in peace. He forces himself to go back to the television, his mind wandering elsewhere. He didn't know how to help her, since her mother died in a car crash not long ago. The only child, she had come to see loneliness as her best friend. He thought he would go make dinner, and so he walked into the kitchen, sadness overcrowding his mind.

***

She knows she shouldn't have done it.
She knew she shouldn't have screamed at him. He didn't deserve it. He had suffered enough, after losing Mum. She would hate to put him through any pain. She should've wiped her tears before entering the house.
Looking out of the window was no use. No happiness to could be felt, could be sucked back into her life. There was just grey clouds in a dark grey blanket, the wind dancing in between the trees. Nothing was good anymore.Life had turned upside down when the rumour spread. Dad was right. Her closest friends can become her worst enemies. And that is what happened.
" Lydie?", his voice came from behind the door.
She slowly sat up, her small teddybear snuggled in between her arms. Looking at the door, she pondered whether to open it or not. Might as well, she thought. She could not attempt silent treatment at her own father.
"Come in", she replied.

***

He slowly opened the door, one hand on the handle, the other holding a cup of hot chocolate. He saw her sitting up on the bed, her eyes puffy and sore. Her face was a mess, and around her bed lay scrunched tissues. He could not help but feel sad underneath. He did not know the reason for her distress, and he was supposed to, after all, he was her only parent left. He went up to the bed, putting the hot chocolate mug onto the small bedside table.
"What is wrong Lydie?", he muttered slowly. "I want the truth".
"Nothing Daddy. Just issues at school", she replied, voice small.
"Teachers? Or is it that hopeless Polly I told you to stay clear of?".
She did not answer.
"Lydie, how many times have I told you, not to befriend that girl? You do realise all she wants is to manipulate you? You should be more responsible, and let her out of your mind. What has she done now?", he asked, furious in his mind at the girl who had made his little baby cry.
" No dad, she just spread rumours. I let her get to me.", she replied.
He slowly walked around her bed and sat next to her, hugging her in his embrace. He remembered how his wife always use to deal with the teenage problems. She was the real councillor, and yet she was gone with the wind.
" Honey, it's called smiling and waving", he said, kissing her on the forehead.
"Daddy, I am not a person who cries over stupid arguments. I let her get to me. She is probably partying in Barbados by now", she laughed, a single tear falling down her features.
" Who cares? Who is she anyway? You are more mature than her. You know that. Others know that. And you know what honey? You pissed her off. That shows she's pissed at herself, not you", he said wisely, looking deep into his daughter's eyes.
" You are strong Lydie, remember that".
He walked back to the door, peeking at the wondow. The sun had appeared out of the clouds, the grey blanket slowly going back to blue. He smiled at her slowly.
" You are more stronger than that, Use your strength to your ability", he muttered, before winking and closing the door.

***

She smiled at the door, proud that she had an angel for a father. He wasn't the best cook, he wasn't the best advisor, hell he wasn't even the best dad! But she knew that he was trying, trying to make life easier for her, trying to make easier for the both of them. And he was doing a great job.