It was 6:45 now, and I was getting dressed into my now only outfit that I owned. The only things I brought to Marissa’s included an outfit, a hairbrush, a toothbrush, my cell phone and charger, my iPod, a pair of sneakers, and my sleeping bag and pillow. Not that much compared to all my other belongings. I’d have to convince my father into replacing them; which may take a slow progress.

I can’t recall any time I have seen my dad. His name is Chris. He’s more of a business type of guy; no time for kids around. My mother told me this about him in the past. The last time I have even “seen” him was when I was 4, before my parents got divorced. I’m kind of nervous to see him. He doesn’t really feel like part of the family.

Marissa and I were in the kitchen eating some pancakes when the doorbell rang at 7 o’clock sharp. He wasn’t kidding when he said 7 o’clock. Deb invited Chris to come inside. “Hi, Jayne,” he said, with a welcoming, perfect-teeth smile. “Hi Dad,” I replied, forcing a smile upon my face. I still didn’t feel comfortable around him, even though I just met him. Marissa and I excused ourselves to clean up our mess, and say goodbye to each other.

“Well, I guess that it’s really happening,” Marissa said with a glum expression on her face. “Yeah...” I didn’t have much else to say, though I wanted to say a whole lot more.      We gave each other a big hug. We didn’t have to say anything; we both knew exactly what we were thinking.   “Don’t forget to text me every day,” she said, trying to lighten up the mood. “Don’t worry, I won’t,” I assured her. We let go of our hug, and I walked towards my dad.