I am Daniel Speltin, top tier waste of potential and mid tier student, all round unimportant person about town.

For the first time in an age, I get out of my seat before Nej, having been waiting out for the final bell, I'm practically in the hallway before that prick even stands.

The others break off to do their own things, Mia's got some big art project to work on, Claire's gotta fake a counselling session with Marie and Rosa's buying Avery some 'actual' clothes again.

Dad's due home in twenty minutes, after being stuck on the far coast for nearly three weeks. Eri's gone to pick him up from the airport for us, and I can see Mum sweating bullets as she eyes the door.

I can see her breathing speed up as we hear the car pull into the driveway, I lean over, squeeze her hand gently and stand at a respectful distance, clearing my throat.

Eri unlocks the door, swinging it wide and allowing him to step inside, "Daddy's home!" She calls.

Dad waves, nose half buried in a big ass book he bought at the airport. "Hey." He surfaces from behind the book, kisses Mum briefly on the cheek. "Son." He greets, tussling my hair for about half a second as he walks by. Somehow, a souvenir ended up in my hand, a shark tooth necklace... not really my style since I'm not a douche, but still...

Eri sits with him, nattering on with questions for him, as he sets his book down, grunts with satisfaction as he spots a newspaper on the coffee table and unfurls it.

Mum grabs me by the elbow, dragging me towards him gently. "Uh-um... Allen?" She coughs nervously.

"Hmm?" He asks from the depths of his paper.

She gulps, Eri pursing her lips nervously now as well, before Mum shakes her head, shoving me forward. "Dan-Daniel has something to ask you..." She trails off, her hand still hooked through the crook of my elbow, pressing softly against me.

Oh gee, thanks.

Another "Hmmm?" comes again, waiting patiently as he thumbs through the sports.

Uhhh.

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