The Broken Piano, PianoForTay [books to read for beginners .txt] 📗

I turned to Josh to see if I could read his expression. He looked right into my eyes.
"If you don't mind my asking, what do you mean you 'hope your life will get better?' What's wrong with your life?" he asked.
Wow. Bold one isn't he. No, no don't hold back Josh. "Well, my dad left my mom when he found out she was pregnant with me. He's selfish. Can you believe that, after he leaves my mom when he finds out she's pregnant, he tries to contact me years after? I mean-" I stopped. I was getting too carried away. I lowered my voice, "I mean nothing's the same anymore. As soon as I got old enough to understand what happened my mom stopped putting on a happy face for me. Now she mopes around all the time and sometimes sleeps till noon. I do all of the housework around there and put up with her crap at the same time. It's just hard to deal with, that's all. I don't even have anyone to talk about it with, except for you now, though. Listen I'm really sorry, this kind of got carried away."
"How old are you?" he asked.
Well I wasn't expecting that question at all. "I'm fifteen. You?"
"Sixteen," he said looking into my eyes, like he was trying to figure me out.
"Why didn't you take your car instead of the bus to school?"
"I'm repairing it. My truck is crap," since I didn't know what else to do, I just sat there nodding, grateful that he took the subject change.
He looked down and then back up. I'm pretty sure he didn't know he was batting his eyelashes. Talk about being starstruck. "You're different."
Oh great, he was going to back off sooner than I thought. He could probably tell that I was hurt and he said, "I mean in a good way. I like your perspectives; not like other people."
"Oh, well then thanks I guess..."
He nodded. "Do you wanna hang out sometime? Like maybe tonight?"
My mouth opened but nothing came out. Did this unbelievebly hot guy just ask me, the creepy girl, to "hang out" with him? A guy that I just met? And he expects me to agree?...Okay.
"Yes. Yeah that'd be great!" I smiled a little and he smiled back.
"Cool. Where do you want to meet?"
I looked down at my desk and back up at him. "Anywhere but my house," I smiled and he just looked at me.
"Okay, how about my house?"
I nodded and he turned around just as class was starting. My throat kept on threatening to close, so I sat there swallowing and hyperventaling.

Chapter 3
That night I was going to go over to Josh's house for dinner. I wouldn't call it a date or anything, but my mom sure did. She got all weirded out when I asked her if I could go.
"Hey mom."
"What do you want?" she asked. Her voice full of bitterness and hatred. I scowled.
"I just want to know if maybe I could go over to Josh's house at around five? He invited me over for dinner."
She looked at me and just stared. Then she started laughing. Not really laughing, more like cackling. Was it something I said?
"Wait, are you sure this Josh guy isn't a girl? What guy would ask you to go and eat dinner with him?"
I looked at my mom shocked and didn't say a word.
"Don't get me wrong baby girl, it's just that I know your not the most popular or prettiest girl around...." she trailed of and studied me. Slowly I turned around to go to my room.
Before I left, I said one thing, "I know you don't love me. That's okay though. I love you because you're still my mom, but I'm going. Things change mom, learn to except that." I trampled up the stairs hiding my tears, but before closing my door I looked back at her. I know she most likely won't remember this by tomorrow and that gave me more confidence to say that.
Her hand was over her mouth and her dark brown hair was in a tight bun. Lines creased her eyes with stress but her face was still young. Her pink lips were thin, but in a way, full. She was beautiful, but not when she acted like a....Well it rhymes with witch. I wasn't sorry for what I said to her. It was true. So with that, I slammed my door shut and started to get ready.

Chapter 4
Surprisingly, my mom actually offered to drive me over even though it was only a couple of blocks. I said yes and we hopped in the car. While in the car, the radio was turned down low and my mom hadn't said one word the whole ride over to Josh's house. Once we stopped by his driveway, I stalled a bit. I was nervous. So I unbuckled my seatbelt and smoothed out my hair, raking my fingers through my bangs. Then I twisted my hair a bit for some volume. I then smoothed out my red shirt to match my hair. The shirt cut off at the stomach, so I added a black undershirt. It was the nicest t-shirt I could find. I brushed some lint off my grey skinny jeans and looked at my lime green Converse. Hopefully his parents would approve of me.
Wait, this wasn't a date though. Just a one time thing, then it's over. Yeah, okay so nothing to worry about.
I looked at my mom. Her eyes were on the road ahead, just waiting for me to get out so she could leave. I opened the door and jumped out for her. No more stalling now. I grabbed the handle to shut the door, but her voice stopped me from doing so.
"I do love you, you know," she said. Her voice was for once, absolutely serious. And steady.
Slowly I turned to look at her. Her eyes were still on the road, but I knew she was waiting for me to do something. I knew my face betrayed nothing, but inside I was completely shocked. I couldn't comprehend what she had just said....What?
Not saying a word, I shut the door. She zoomed off and I was left standing there, trying to absorb the curveball she threw at me. Finally I worked up the nerve to move. I walked up to the door and knocked.
Josh opens the door to reveal an impressive house. It has red walls and seems very cozy feeling. Josh welcomed me in and commented on my outfit, "Very nice outfit." I could tell he was trying to make me feel more comfortable and I tried to gladly accept it.
"This was the nicest shirt I could find. I'm sorry," I smiled hoping that I was dressed okay.
"Trust me, my parents wouldn't care at all and besides you look great."
Thankful that I passed inspection, we went to the dinner table where he introduced me to his mom and dad. "Mom, Dad, this is Erica," he swung his hand towards me and I waved.
"Hi," I said. His mom smiled.
"Well aren't you a doll. Hello there. My name's Samantha. Glad you could make it for dinner," she was gorgeous. She had chestnut hair and an elegant figure. Instead of green eyes like her son, she had gorgeous, piercing light-blue eyes that were soft and filled with laughter. She was the kind of person that you loved immediatly.
"And my name is Richard. It's good to meet ya," he stuck his hand out and I shook it. His voice boomed around the house and the combination of Josh's parents was almost comical. His mom, small and skinny in stature compared to his stocky, big in stature father.
I smiled, and I could feel it was a real genuine smile. "It's really great to meet both of you. Thank you so much for letting me come."
They both smiled again and we all sat down for dinner. This is the first time I notice all the food and how hungry I sm. There was mashed patatoes, green beans, corn, chicken, salad, steak, and so much more. It was enough to feed an enitire army. This is amazing.
For the first time in my life, I felt like I actually belonged. His parents gladly welcomed me into his family and were the kindest they could ever be. I could tell that his mom and dad were very, very close. They loved each other so. I didn't even hear them argue once!
Josh had a very close relationship with his parents as well. He didn't have any siblings though. This was the kind of family I wanted. A close, and happy one.
We laughed and talked all through dinner and once we were done, I thanked them and even offered to help them clean up a little- not being a suck-up but out of gratitude and because they gave me everything I ever wanted in my whole life. To feel loved and be part of a family.
When I offered they said no and I thanked them a million times for everything. Josh came up to me and asked, "You want to go for a walk?"
"Sure."
"Hey mom! Erica and I are going for a walk."
His mom turned around from washing the dishes. "Okay then. Erica if you need a ride home, Josh will have no problem taking you home, okay?" I wonder if Josh told them about my home life.
I nodded and thanked her once again for everything. "You fixed your truck?" Josh led me out the door and we started to walk down the sidewalk.
He nodded. "Finally."
He lived at the very end of a cul-de-sac. Beyond the cul-de-sac was a grassy field and some woods. In the woods there was a trail, and that's where he took me. I didn't know what to think because woods kind of creep me out, but for some reason, I feel safe with him.
We walk in the cool, crisp air for a while in silence. He finally speaks up.
"I had a great time tonight. I'm glad you came. My parents really like you I can tell."
I looked at him. His head was down watching the trail as he walked and the moon