Chapter 19. A Harsh Change Of Scenery-2

"I want to ring Dad before we leave. I haven't spoken to him in a while." I eyeball him suspiciously, waiting for him to pass his cellphone to me, like he always does, pre-dialled with my father's number and ready for me to use. Instead, I'm given a plastic-like grin, forced and slightly maniacal. "Whatever you want, sweetheart." He murmurs robotically. ---- I deliberately made a ridiculous amount of noise, when I hauled my suitcase down the stairs. Hoping to find someone on my way out, I was unsuccessful. Dante came to my aid, like the gentleman he is, silent and brooding as he deposited my suitcase on the trunk and opened the passenger door for me. I wait in Dante's sports car, anxiously rapping my knuckles against the misty glass. Night has well and truly fallen, the dipped headlights providing the only security in this blanket of darkness. Dante doubled back to the house to grab something, while I hang around like a chump. Am I be