Chapter 5 - Failing

*Aidan Zavia's POV.*

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He clenched his right fist and slammed it on the table that made my mother and Nadia flinched in surprise.

"When are you gonna do something right with your life, Aidan? Do you think that the money that we are spending on your education is easy to get? This is too much! You are such a fucking disappointment. If you wanna live your life in your own way, do it if you are already earning your own penny. But because you are still here under my roof, you are gonna obey what we want for you." He belted and I just stayed quiet as possible while I stare intently at the lettuce on my plate. Mhmm, yep, I am the center of attention tonight. Well, I guess as always whenever the quarter ends and grades will be shown to parents. And, I am so fucking tired of their rants about this and that. I actually have memorized most of their lines.

"All of this is for your own good, AZ. You should just let your sister help you." Mom stated and I turned my gaze to Nadia who is also as quiet as me.

"Do you think that instead of studying your lessons, you are partying and hanging out with your friends gives you a good future? Hell, no. And, you, Nadia, why would you cover up your sister's whereabouts? Do you think you are helping her? You are tolerating her. Act like a goddamn older sister." He continued with his sermon, and now, my sister is included. Well, yeah, she is just doing what I tell her. And I don't know if how did he know about the going out stuff that I did last week.

"Surprised that we knew? Cameras are not the only things that could see and money cannot always make people blind or mute. You need authority to be obeyed and respected." Dad stated and I just bowed my head down guiltily while trying not to make eye contact with anyone. Damn, the gateman or the maids must have spilled it. Or maybe he really did not delete that footage at the gate. Or it could be my best friend's parents who told them that. Fuck it!

"AZ, Honey, these grade of yours is much worse than last year's. You are about to graduate and it's not gonna help you get into a nice university or a course that you want. And we won't pay teachers to compute your grades blindly and give you a passing one. You need to strive harder and resist going out. Let your sister help you with your lessons." Mom stated and my father sighed deeply.

"Maybe the lessons got harder than last time, and I---" I uttered but was cut off.

"That's bullshit! You just don't pay attention in class, don't make homework, and score almost the lowest in tests. Do you wanna fool us? Your teachers have been so frustrated with you, too. And, they are doing their jobs in telling us about your performance at school. I really don't know if what we are going to do with you. I just wonder if what we did wrong as your parents. You have all you needed and wanted, and yet, it seems like you are not doing your part. Maybe it's time, Vania." He let out and told my mother about something that they might have agreed about me. Oh, no, I have a bad feeling about this.

"Liam, give her a chance. Let us discuss that tonight. Please." She replied as she held his hand on the table and I turned my gaze to Nadia and saw her face is of worry. Are they gonna kick me out, or what? No, it can not be.

"Okay. But reflect tonight on what you should be doing right, Aidan Zavia. Because I will not think twice." He asserted and I gulped as he stood up to leave the dining room.

"I'm gonna talk to him about it, Honey. Take a rest now, Girls. You have classes tomorrow." Mom stated and showed me a reassuring smile.

"Alright, good night, Mom," Nad uttered and the woman left us.

"AZ, I---" She began but I didn't let her finish.

"Just don't. I'm fine and I'll be okay. Thanks, by the way. Good night." I told her and she let out a sigh. I know she is sorry for me, but what can we do, I'm not that smart and I can never be anyone else. And, especially, I can never be someone they want me to be.

She finally left me and I let out the breath that I have been holding for a long time. Then, I bit my lower lip to restrain myself from shedding tears. But I can't help it.

"It's okay to cry, and you need to cry to let that burden out of your chest, Young Lady." Mrs. Gibson stated and it just made my stupid tears finally fall. And, the woman patted my back as I cried my eyes out.

"Why are you crying, AZ? You look ugly if you cry." The cute voice of her daughter made me giggle. Well, I'm just used to tease her like that when she cries, and now, she's paying back. Smart girl. But it indeed made me feel better now.

"Umm, it's because I made my parents upset again. And you, you shouldn't do what I have been because it's not right. You should get good grades at school and do what your mother wants or else your Momma will make you cry." I told the little girl and she nodded her head while smiling brightly.

"I have good grades, AZ. Why don't you just go to my class, so you would have good grades, too? Then, Mr. and Mrs. Seymour won't make you cry." She stated and I laughed while wiping my tears away.

"Yeah, only if could, Reese. That would be so wonderful. Now, let's pass these plates to your mom." I replied as I handed her the used dishes on the table one after another to pass it to her mother on the sink who will wash 'em. It's actually our routine every after dinner. 

I just love this little girl so much since I have witnessed when she was born in the car that I attempted to drive her mom to the hospital when I was still ten. That was such an epic experience because we were just halfway to our destination when a man in uniform told me to pull over and Reese just went out without hesitation.

After I helped the Gibsons in cleaning the dining area and I have received calm and soothing advice from the woman, I finally went to my bedroom to have a rest.

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"Aidan, we have finally agreed with your mother. Remember that this is only for your own good." My dad began as we finished our very quiet breakfast and I started holding my breath. This won't be good. I know that.

"If you'll get grades below B- next quarter, expect that you will not get any financial support from us for your studies until you finish high school or even college if you could proceed... if your teacher will not make you retake your subjects. We'll also take away your car, freeze your bank account, and you need to work your ass to earn cash. Because... just take a look at other students that supports their studies, they are doing real good in school. And, I bet that you know someone. They are striving hard to get a scholarship in college, and I think your sister will get some because I'm sure that she'll graduate with high honors. But with you, all we are asking for are passing grades. I think it's not that hard to achieve. So, be it. Your grades for the next quarter will become the judging criteria for you and your future. Is that understood?" He asserted and I bit my lower lip while I process all the things that he said. 

Fuck! How can they do that to me? This is pathetic. But I still have a chance to make this right, right? Next quarter, no grade below B-? Who are they kidding? C+ is the fucking highest grade that I have!

"I understand, Dad and Mom," I uttered and my mother looked at me apologetically. I know, it's all for my own good.

"I'll do my best to be worthy enough to be called your daughter." I added and he muttered 'good'.

Then, our parents finally left for their jobs and it's now only me and my sister.

"Don't worry, AZ. I'll help you study." Nad uttered and I looked at her.

"No, thanks! I don't wanna be an add up to your burden. You'll be just frustrated. And besides, you need to study harder, too, because they are expecting a high honor rank from you. That's a real challenge. So, yeah, you do you, and I'd do me. Thanks, by the way, Nad." I told her and she's about to argue but I raised a stop hand signal to her.

"I promise I'll be fine. Just promise me that you'll not disown me as your sister if that judgment day will happen and will go sideways." I stated and she chuckled.

"How the heck would I disown you if we have the same face, Silly? Everyone would literally know that we are sisters. But yeah, I promise, I'll just be by your side, and you can ask me anything." She replied and I smiled while nodding my head in response.

"Thanks! I'd be here, too, if you want me to beat some asses of your exes, or even if you won't ask. I'd kick 'em if they'll hurt you or make you cry again. Sisters?" I assured her and let out my hand for our cuttlefish handshake in which she is so excited to do. We actually haven't done this kind of talk for like a year already.

"Sisters." She uttered and she hugged me.

"You didn't shower, AZ?" She asked as she broke off and I just grinned that made her groan in disgust.

"I woke up late. And, we should go to school now." I let out, and finally, I bid the Gibsons goodbye.

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I walked into the corridor and heading to my locker. Then, I saw my best friends walked away as they got the sight of me. What the fuck?