Blazing Academy: Semester One (Academy For All Things Scorching #1) - Avery Song Page 0,21
and I'm tired of her ignoring your concerns."
"But..."
"I've already told her. She's in the office now with Principal Clover, filling out the forms. Principal Clover is willing to vouch for your homeschooling and Professor Daily will present your performance during the last three days and add the application. It should go smoothly."
"Really?" I looked at him with wide eyes. "You really mean it?"
"Yes, Alice." He gave me a comforting smile. "We had a talk when you were resting. The application process shouldn't take long. A week at most. They'll then send someone to bring the documents and explain how the scheduling and stuff will work."
"You really mean that I don't need to go to school anymore? I can just learn at home and get my diploma that way?"
When he nodded, I tried to sit up. He rose from the stool he was sitting on and helped me out, while Cyrus moved to sit comfortably in my lap.
"You're not pulling my leg, right?"
"Nope. I'm serious, Alice. Once you're up to it, we'll head to your birthday dinner and then home for you to rest. After a week, we'll know what's going on and go from there. No more school, transfers, or bullies."
When I had no words to say, he grinned and moved from the side of the bed to behind the curtain that was slightly pulled forward, hiding what I believed to be a table or stand.
He came back with a plate of red velvet cake with chocolate frosting and syrup that was lightly dosed on top of it. A stick was poking out of it, and it was sparkling up like a mini firework.
I stared at in amazement and gazed up at Dad with watery eyes. He smiled, and his eyes twinkled from the sparks.
"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Alice. Happy birthday to you," he sang.
"Wooof!" Cyrus howled for added emphasis, making the two of us laugh.
"Thank you, Dad." I blinked back my tears, feeling grateful to have him in my life. He offered the plate to me, and I stared down at it. Watching the bits of sparks come to its end, I picked up the fork and took a piece.
Taking a bite, I smiled at the sweet taste. I wondered when he'd got it and pondered about how long he'd been here. He had to have stopped work to get here so quickly, and the thought that he remembered my birthday just like all the other years and got me my favorite cake to go along with it made my tears fall.
He was the reason why I was going to be able to live away from all of this. I'd be able to learn without the negativity and backlash.
I'm finally free from it all. I can finally be happy.
"Woof?" Cyrus used her paw to pat my hand that was still holding the plate in my lap. My tears continued to fall and I lost the battle of stopping my sobs from escaping me.
"I'm so happy," I cried. "Finally, for once. I'm happy, Daddy."
He wrapped his arms comfortingly around me, and I let all my troubles go through my tears and sobs. The relief of it all was overwhelming, but it felt so good for those shackles to be removed.
This was a victory I never expected for myself. To survive the physical and emotional abuse from all the bullies and people who couldn't accept me. Now I wouldn't have to prove myself anymore. I could hold my head up in my own environment and not feel threatened every single hour of the day.
I was free from it all, and I couldn't be more thankful.
"Dad. Are you sure Grandma is going to be okay with you coming to dinner?"
"Do you want me there?" he questioned instead and took a piece of my remaining cake.
"Hey. You took a big piece!" I accused.
"I worked hard to get this for you." He winked and popped the piece in his mouth. "The bakery lady was trying to hit on me."
"Aww. Life must be so hard for you," I exaggerated with an eye-roll.
"It's hard to be as good-looking as me."
"Oh please!" I snickered. "I bet she asked you for your number and you forgot."
When his face grew crimson, I laughed.
"Stop laughing," he muttered with a pinch of annoyance. "You got me the hardest number to remember. Why couldn't you do 123456789 or something,"
"That can't be a number!" I giggled.
"That's silly. Some of us are getting old," he grumbled.