Chapter Text
It started with my parents, who suddenly asked me to have a serious conversation with them at dinner time. I know that I need to be suspicious if they act like this. Because I just feel they throw a bomb in front of my face.
"YOU WHAT? WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY DIVORCE?!"
"We know that you would react this way," my father says calmly. "But, yes, we decided to divorce."
How can they say that calmly and happily while holding hands? It doesn't make sense to me how they announce it as great news for me. But I'm sure their decision really changed everything that would happen in my high school days.
"Oh my, they said that happily?" Sophie asks me as I finish explaining what happened last night. Sophie is my best friend and my chairmate at high school. I like to tell everything that happens in my life. I don't know what happens if I don't have her.
I munch my sandwich angrily, "It's even great when you know that they already filled the form! I couldn't believe they did that to me."
"I know that it's weird that they wanted to have a serious conversation," I grit my teeth and make a fist that squeezes my sandwich and the milk in the other hand. "It's crazy that it went like this."
"Aren't your parents' relationship just fine? They used to lovey-dovey when I visited your house," Sophie asks in confusion. "Didn't they also just get back from Hawaii?"
"HAWAI!!" I say even angrier. "That's the problem."
"Fahrenheights?" I asked while raising my voice. "Who the fuck is that? What kind of crazy scientist family you guys bump into?"
"That is the couple that were having vacation at Hawai too," my mom answers. "We met and suddenly we clicked."
"It's like a destiny. We fell in love at each other when we on the yatch," my dad added happily.
"F-fell in love?" I feel like my head going to explode. "IN LOVE??"
"We discussed and agreed to switched partners to each others," my dad said that followed with my mom agreements. I don't know what they eat in Hawai, but definitely something wrongs with their head. Because there is no sane person would suggest such a things like switching partners.
"Switching partners?" I asked in dibelief. "That's impossible."
"Maybe because it's never happened before," my mom commented.
"But it happened," my dad reponded.
My mom looked at my dad as she confessed, "Well, I mean we still love each other but sometimes I feel like our relationship is more like a siblings."
"Even before we got married it's closer to be said as a friend than a couple," my dad added that made my hear got dizzier.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN?" I refused to believe tht. "A marriage life doesn't need a full of sparkling love if both of you can maintain this harmonious life."
"Indeed," my mom agreed that I thought she got back to her sane state. "But we found love at the same time and we already had agreement."
"Yes, if it's just one-sided that means one of us are cheating," my dad agreed.
I grip my hair in frustation and got crashed out, "STOP IT BOTH OF YOU!!!"
They were silent for a moment before my mom tried to speak into me softly.
"Haelena..." she said. "When I saw the Fahrenheights, I felt a glimpse of life that I used to have before. It was a spark of flutter feeling that we used to feel and we got it from them."
She looked at me with her begging eyes, "So, please ... Can we have at least your permission?"
It boils my blood every time I remember the conversation last night. I crush my milk until the box is dishelved, "Whoever The Fahrenheights was, I will never forgive them!!!"
I groan as I keep crashing out in class, "I know that my parents are FREAK, but this is IMPOSSIBLE!!!"
Sophie only laughs beside me as she watches me crash out, "But your parents are kind of fun. I like them."
"Are you kidding me, Sophie...?"
"It's true, though, my parents would NEVER!" Sophie says. "They..."
Sophie suddenly looks away and sighs as she tells me about her parents, "They have a mistress. The reason they were divorcing was never about the economy or something that other couples might argue about. They just ... divorce and hurt their children's feelings."
"I'd better never marry someone like them," she adds.
I know that her family is messy, and she is also quite hard to open up to me about it. I never thought she would explain it today. Maybe my parents' problem triggers her about it. Well, it explains why she keeps rejecting all those boys whose asked her out.
"Sophie..." I say softly. "Is that why you keep avoiding boys?"
She chuckles, "Of course not. They're just not my type. I'm not that anti of men."
She giggles happily, which makes me regret that I got sympathy for her earlier. I checked my watch to see that it's already late.
"I need to go home," I say as I pack my belongings.
"This early? Do you have plan?" Sophie asks.
"Yeah. I have an appointment to have dinner with the Fahrenheights," I explain. "I need to ruin their plan."
"Well, good luck!"
"Thanks!"
I just leave the class once I bump into Gideon. He is holding his racket and looks at me in confusion.
"You're going home already? Didn't you have a club activity today?" he asks.
"I can't," I say in regret. "I have a family dinner that I need to attend. Can you tell the captain about it for me?"
"Family dinner?" Gideon asks suspiciously. "That's unusual. You usually skip them. What happened?"
"I will tell you later," I say as I wave to him to leave.
This dinner is crucial for me, for my family situation, and also for my future. Even though my parents love to make things complicated, they are still my parents. I wouldn't let them have their way and get a divorce. I WOULD NEVER LET THEM!!
"Haelena, this is Mr. Eric Fahrenheight," Benjamin, or Ben, or I could say My dad introduced the Fahrenheights to me. Well, just like their family name, they look like scientists, as I expected. "And that is Mona, his wife."
They look like have the same age as my parents. They don't seem bad at all and look like genuine people. No one would ever notice that these people are the one who agrees to switching partner with my parents.
I give them a polite smile before asking my question, "I'm sorry, but are both of you really ... like REALLY ... wanted to switch partners and remarried?"
"Yes!" both answer it without any hesitation. They are proudly smiling with that statement that makes my reality crumble. I feel like the only sane person sitting at this table.
"Where's Caleb?" Eleanor, or Elle, my mom asks once we settle down at the table. Since there is still one seat empty.
"He said he is going to be late, just wait," Mona says.
"Caleb?" I ask my mom to understand the situation.
"Oh, that's the Fahrenheight' son. I believe he is the same age as you."
"A son?" I repeat to myself. I couldn't believe they have a son. I'm sure their son is against this crazy plan, too. It's great, that means I would fight these hags with him. We could ruin this crazy idea together—this is what children will do, and no child would defend their absurd behavior. I need him here immediately.
"Oh! he is here!"
I can hear Mona's voice greet him once he arrives. A handsome boy just came into the restaurant, looking good in his school uniform. He is so much taller for a boy around my age, and his hair is dark, his jaw and nose are really sharp, which I believe could cut a paper. Not to mention, his eyes ... damn .. I have never seen purple eyes that beautiful.
"I'm sorry, I'm late," he says as he takes a seat next to me. I was too stunned to realise how close he is, given how handsome he looks. I can't hear any more words of his conversation with his mother.
"Caleb, this is the Collamore. This is Benjamin Collamore and Eleanor Collamore," she introduces my family to him. "And that's their daughter Haelena Collamore."
"Nice to meet you," he greets us with a bright smile.
Oh gosh, that smile could break someone's heart in how captivating it was. He is so handsome that I might give a hand to sign a marriage proposal at this table rather than having my parents remarried. Or maybe I could consider their marriage, and we would have three married events at the same time. I wouldn't complain and be an obedient daughter for once.
For a moment, I was losing myself and got distracted by him. I shake my head to put myself together. I still need a purpose to ruin this crazy arrangement.
"Apologize, but I need to state that I am against your remarriage," I speak firmly as I state my purpose. "This is unacceptable and absurd. What would our family say about this—"
"Oh, it's fine," Ben cuts my sentence. I glare at my dad as he keeps talking to prove his point, "I thought they would be against this, but I guess they don't care much. They only say that it's our choice to do so."
"Yeah, mine too," Eric agrees, which irritates me.
"B-but what about other people?"
"What about them?" my mom interrupts. "Who cares about them? Our feelings in here are much more important than theirs."
I slam the table as I stand for myself, "WHAT ABOUT MY FEELINGS?? AND CALEB??
"YOU AS PARENTS COULDN'T BE RECKLESS AND PUT US AS CHILDREN—"
"I didn't object to their decision," Caleb says, which makes my heart drop. For the love of god, they keep cutting my objection, and now the only person who should be in my shoes is on their side. Fucking hell, I shouldn't have got stunned by this boy if he only talked shit like this. WHY IS NO ONE ON MY SIDE?!!
"WHAT? YOUR PARENTS HAVE A CRAZY IDEA TO REMARRIED AND YOU'RE FINE WITH IT??" I shout in disbelief.
He looks at me like I'm the crazy one here, "Well, it's their choice as long as they were happy with it."
I can't close my mouth at how ridiculous he sounds. He innocently points out my untouched soup just to remind me that the soup is no longer warm and I need to eat it. While I'm arguing with myself to pull his hair out to put his brain in the right state of mind. This boy is SOOOO WEIRD, like what kind of child would be fine with this messy situation of family? Did his head get damaged on the way here?
"So, only Haelena who object this plan, right?" my mom says. "Well, Haelena, maybe it's because you just met them. You will love them once you get to know them."
"Yes, I'm sure you will love them," my dad agrees, which hurts my feelings. How can they be so reckless with my feelings? I feel like I'm losing already, since no one is defending me. I couldn't help but shed a tear in there. I don't care if they are watching me, how pathetic I look.
"What about me?" I murmur in between my tears. "If they are divorcing and remarried. What about me? Whose parent should I follow?
"I know that my mom and dad are indifferent. They always spoil me with affection and never raise their voice to me," I sob. "Even though they can't cook at all, not a morning person. Over consumerism and not dependable.
"B-but they are still my parents! I can't imagine a life without them," I shout as my tears keep falling. I know that I look like a mess in here, but damn, this family is messier than I look.
The table became silent, and I felt embarrassed for once. I wipe my tears away when my dad speaks to me softly.
"Thank you for speaking to us, we understand your concern, so we..." he looks at my mom, as if wanting her to continue his sentence.
Elle sighs, "So we decided to rent a big house for six of us to live in!"
Are you kidding me?! LIVING TOGETHER?!
"The partners changed doesn't mean the relationship between parents and the child changed too. You still our daughter," my mom adds.
"Haelena and Caleb can still use the dads' surname, nothing has changed," Mona explains as if it were a great idea.
I feel like I'm choking; I can't expect it to become more complicated. "So, you're telling me even though you're divorcing ... we still live together?"
"Yeah, EXACTLY!"
Oh god, my head gets dizzy, and I want to vomit so bad hearing this. What kind of weird fetish do they have that having your past partner and your current partner in the same roof is a GREAT IDEA?!
"So, Haelena ... do you still object to this decision?"
"OF COURSE!" I shout again. I raise my voice with full of rage inside my chest. "I WOULD NEVER—"
Wait a minute ... oh fucking hell...
Four of them were looking at me with big puppy eyes, begging and looking sad. They make me feel like I'm the most evil person at the table because I'm against their plan. Ridiculous, how can they do that to me? And why I feel GUILTY about it.
"So, you agree?" Caleb asks as he keeps eating silently in his seat. I guess he notices my difficulty with my mind. I feel angry that he looks so calm with the situation, but also I can't help but feel guilty with this grown ass who just had their second puberty.
I sigh, "Okay, fine!"
Suddenly, they bring out confetti and celebrate it like they know really well that I'm going to agree to this crazy shit at the end of the day. I can't wait to get home and scream on my pillow because they played me so badly.
I can't believe that this is really happening. Their crazy plan really works well—they were divorcing but haven't remarried. I heard that it took time for them to fill out the marriage form after divorcing. Well, I can't understand and don't give a single shit about it. I'm still thinking how weird this house looks, four hags and two minor in the same roof. Weird, no one has convinced me otherwise.
"Ouch!" I complain when Caleb kicks me away cause I block his way to his room.
"Can you help us and bring your stuff to your room?" he nags. "Don't be such a burden already."
It's not even a day, yet I live with them, but I can't handle it already. And I know since the first time that their son has such an annoying ass. It wasn't a second after I put my belongings in my room and took a breath, he already dragged me out for a grocery shop with him.
I keep walking behind him on the way home. The sound of him chewing gum beside me already irritates me, so I need a space. However, he slowed his pace to walk beside me instead.
"I thought you would kill yourself because you lost," he commented annoyingly. "Are you giving up?"
I sigh, "You have such a big mouth with those facecard."
"Oh, so you think I'm handsome?" I can feel that his shoulder is rising because of my backhand compliment.
I ignore him instead, "Whatever. I mean, it's not my choice to have such weird parents."
Caleb hums, "You know, they were kind of like old friends together. I feel that was for the better for them."
I frowned. How can he still be positive thinking in this kind of situation?
"Still, it's weird and not normal! I'm not going to protest," I declare. "But I'm not going to accept it easily."
He was silent for a moment, "It is unusual, but doesn't it sound exciting to have a big family?"
He suddenly stops in front of me and gives his hand for a handshake, “I hope we will become closer.”
He gives me his charming smile that always makes me flutter. I can’t help but admire how handsome he is. It makes me nervous to shake his hand.
”Yeah.. sure.”
He pats my hand as he slips something inside my palm. It’s a weird texture, sticky and slimy. I open my palm once he releases it, and I find the chewing gum that he ate a few minutes ago.
“CALEB!!”
He only laughs and runs away from me before I can throw the gum at him. The gum texture makes me shiver, and I have such a texture nightmare afterwards. I can’t help but rush to wash my hands several times once I get home.
On the other side, Mona reaches Caleb as she sees him return home with a mischievous smile.
”What have you done to her? She looks irritated," Mona asks Caleb about it.
Caleb chuckles, “She seems fun to play with.”
Mona looks at him with concern, “Caleb … you used to be an obedient kid. You have changed.”
Caleb can hear the sadness in his mother’s voice.
“This time also… you’re not against the idea of remarrying and support us. Is that … sincere? You really don’t object to it?”
"It's fine, as long as you were happy with it, mom...," he says softly.
On the other side, I just finished cleaning my room when my mom came in. She was checking if I was doing right, typical of an Asian mom. She suddenly sits on my bed.
"Please be nice to them," she mentions that I believe she meant about Caleb's family.
I just nod and reluctantly answer, "Okay..."
"With Caleb, too, okay?"
I roll my eyes, "Yeah..."
"But, don't fall in love with him," she says out of nowhere. I thought I had misheard it until she repeated it. "It's already complicated to have two families in one place. If the children are also involve innit ... my head hurts even thinking about it."
Not gonna lie, it's all of you guys who started it, and now you realise that this is messy? unbelievable.
"So, do you understand?" she reminds. I just shrug and sigh, "Yeah ... yeah, I understand."
Then my mom leaves because the dinner is ready. I was confused, she said something like that. I admit that Caleb is really handsome, but I think he is a super weird son who supports his parents' weird behaviour. Aside from that, he is also annoying. I would never fall in love with him.
"Good morning, Sophie!!" I greet Sophie happily when I find her on the way to school.
"Haelena," she greets back. "How's the moving?"
"It's fine," I shrug as I walk beside her. "I still can't use living with them."
She nods, "But you look happy..."
"It's because I'm at school now," I say happily. "I wouldn't meet my crazy families~"
The happiness doesn't last long when someone hits me with his bag. I curse and turn around to see who have such a courage to hit my head. "WHAT THE?!"
And I see his innocent face with his bag in his hand after hitting me, "CA-CALEB?!!!"
"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING IN HERE? WITH MY SCHOOL UNIFORM TOO??!!!"
"I'm transferring to your school," he says casually. "My previous school is too far. I don't want to commute that long."
"Also, I heard that you can easily got recommendation letter from universities here. So, I'm interested," he adds happily.
"Why am I clueless about this?!" I protest.
"You wouldn't let me if you know, right?"
I want to cry so badly. I just got a moment of peace because I wouldn't deal with my family.
"Too bad, you would meet your crazy family even at school," he comments smugly as if he had heard what I said before. I want to punch his face so much, but I have an image to save in this school. He suddenly takes my hand and drags me with him.
"Take me to the principal's room," he says as he pleases.
"Go search by yourself, you idiot!" I complain as he keeps dragging me along. His grip is too strong for me to release myself. All I could do was send Sophie a help sign.
Gideon saw all of that banter, and he hurriedly reached Sophie to ask.
"Sophie," he greets. "Is that a new student?"
"I think so," Sophie replies.
"Haelena's friend?"
Sophie hums as she thinks the best way to describe it, "Cousin..."
"Cousin?" Gideon repeats in confusion. But he doesn't ask any questions anymore. Only sees them from a distance with jealousy, picturing on his face that only Sophie could see.
It doesn't take long for Caleb to monopolise the girls' interest with his charming and incredible face card. I can't handle seeing him in the same school as mine, it's annoy me.
"Haelena," Gideon calls from the class door. "Do you want to help me to practise?"
"Yeah, sure!"
After school, Gideon likes to ask me for help to practice with his tennis club as a partner. I used to be one of the members of the tennis club, but I felt that wasn't my passion, so I moved to be a theatre kid instead. But here I am helping Gideon as much as I can at the tennis court.
Caleb saw when Gideon and I left the class. He was wandering around the sports field until he saw Sophie watching them near the Tennis court.
"Caleb, right?" Sophie asks once he stands beside her.
"You're Haelena's friend?"
"I'm Sophie Chauvet, nice to meet you," she answers. "Haelena is in there."
Sophi points to me, who is talking with Gideon. I was happily having a conversation with Gideon, and the atmosphere was kind of weird for us. People might think that we were a couple, given how close we were.
"Isn't he also in our class?" Caleb asks as he keeps looking at them.
"Yeah, his name is Gideon," Sophie replies.
"Is that her boyfriend?"
"Nope," Sophie responds. "But they were really close since they had known each other from junior high school."
"Oh ... so, it's just time for one of them to confess, right?"
"No," Sophie dodges it again. "Haelena had confessed to him in the 8th grade. He rejected her."
Caleb wasn't interested at first, but when he heard that I had been rejected by someone, it intrigued him.