Thread: All to Herself (Ethereal & Father Figure)

As strange as it sounded, Casey adored her father's touch. She loved the way it felt when he hugged her, warm and safe. Or when he would rub her back or stroke her hair. She nearly always found herself leaning into his touch when he offered it, but this time, she reacted in a much different manor. Her body stiffened as he pulled her in close to him, her teeth slightly clenched as he spoke. You should feel bad , she thought to herself, though she didn't express her anger aloud. Instead, she allowed the angered look on her face to soften, displaying a more pitiful, sad demeanor as she looked up at her father. He would see a flash of disappointment in her eyes, though it almost seemed as though she was trying to hide the dejection she briefly displayed as she offered him a rather sad smile, one that didn't reach her eyes as it normally did when she looked at him. No plans. she lied. I was just going to put this in the car since I keep forgetting it so much lately. she continued, motioning to her purse that was hanging over her shoulder, which seemed to be the main indicator that she was leaving in the first place. It was surprising how easily the words left her lips, flowing with ease as though she was actually speaking the truth. Whether or not he actually believed her, she at least sounded convincing. She wasn't overly dressed, and had minimal makeup on, so she certainly could have passed as having planned to stay in for the evening. It made her curious whether or not he would buy into what she was saying. Lying was something that he did not approve of, and because of that reason alone, she never did it. In a way, it made her feel bad for lying to him so easily, especially over something so seemingly insignificant. But I guess I should try and find something to do now, so I don't have to be alone again. she added, deciding it couldn't do anymore damage to play into the fib a little more. It was as though she wanted him to feel guilty. The obviously fake smile she had offered him disappeared entirely, and she quickly glanced away as though she was attempting to hide the hurt in his eyes. If no one had known better, it would have looked as though she was trying to manipulate him, and in a way, she was. Already, she had lied, but yet the emotions she was experiencing were very much real. She felt hurt, saddened, betrayed. The worst part of it though, was knowing how unnatural her feelings were. Perhaps, they were natural to a point, yet the intensity at which she felt them was not normal. At first, she hadn't realized this, but only recently did she find herself noticing how over the top she was becoming with her jealousy. Earlier that week, she'd vented her frustrations to one of her friends during a coffee date after their first day back to school. For as long as she could remember, her father had made her breakfast every morning before school, even once she had gotten into high school. The first day of school was always more extravagant than the others. He made all of her favorite breakfast foods, way more than she could ever eat, and took a picture that would be framed next to the one from the previous year. That morning when she came downstairs, not only was there no breakfast, there was no dad. She was nearly in tears when she relayed the story to her friend, who seemed to think Casey was a bit dramatic about the whole thing, though she seemed to understand to a point. -------------------------------------------------- I get it Casey. I mean, it sucked when my dad first started dating my stepmom, but I got over it. Seeing the disapproving look on her face in response, the girl continued. But honestly, you're closer with your dad than I ever was with mine...and your dad hasn't really ever dated, has he? she asked, and Casey shook her head in response as she sipped on her iced coffee with pouty lips. Well, yeah, then thats totally hard to get used to. But ya know, he probably gets lonely. Especially if he hasn't dated in such a long time. Why would he get lonely if he has me? Casey finally spoke up, and her friend busted out laughing in response, though it was clear that she didn't seem to understand what she was getting at. It was only when the girl made a sexual gesture that she seemed to grasp what she had meant in the first place, her cheeks flushing at the thought. She truthfully hadn't thought about her father having sexual needs before then, and while that should have made it easier for her to accept his frequent departures, she still felt just as bothered. Realistically, she knew she couldn't fulfill those needs that her father surely had, but yet, she still felt jealous at the thought of him needing another female to satisfy him. -------------------------------------------------- The idea filled her mind again that evening as she stood awkwardly beside her father, imagining him going off with some random woman. Her lips pursed at the thought, and she attempted to force the image out of her head. I, um...have fun.. she finally spoke up after a brief moment of silence, offering another half assed smile before snaking out of her father's grasp and hurrying down the hall.