Liona drove Erik to work and dropped him off at the small local grocery store that her family often shopped at. It was actually near their home, so it wasn't really out of her way to do this for him. After she saw him head inside, she set her next destination as home. She was a bit tired from all that had happened today. The last of her finals were done and now it was officially spring break.
She had bumped into Erik at the school her uncle taught at and then offered to give him a ride to work. What she didn't expect was that the asshole of a manager of his was more disgusting than she knew. He got his just deserts for being such a scumbag. She rarely ever had to flex her family's connections or power, but sometimes it was necessary to do so. Thankfully it was all sorted out and Erik even got a raise. She hoped that would help him. He seemed desperate for the job. If money was tight at home, then surely this raise might do him some good. Maybe he'll be able to get a better lunch, so he won't seem so hungry all the time.
By the time she got home, her brain had finished processing her day. So, heading up to her room, she was finally able to change out of her stupid uniform and relax in a pair of her yoga pants and a loose tank top. Once she had changed, she reflected upon what she had said to Erik. She felt her face flush. She really hadn't intended to tell him that she was interested in him that way. She originally had only wanted to tease him a bit to see that cute blush on his cheeks and ears as he turned a delightful shade of red, which she particularly enjoyed seeing.
"Oh, my goddess! I can't believe I told him that! I can't believe I said that!" She threw herself onto her bed and grabbed her pillow to squeeze it. Her heart pounded the more that she thought about how cute Erik was and his expression as she basically confessed to him that she liked him in that way. His ears, his face, his entire expression had been so damn adorable! She squealed into her pillow as she remembered how bold she had been. But she really was interested in him. He was interesting and so expressive and there was something about that spark whenever they touched that made her want to find out more about him.
As she was trying to calm down, there was a knock on her room door. She expected it to be one of her brothers or sisters since her parents should still be at work. She called out, "Come in!" As she sat up, still hugging her pillow. To her surprise it was her dad at her door.
"Dad? I thought you were stuck at work! Aunt Yui said that you were swamped with a bunch of paperwork since there's been a lot of criminal activity going on lately." Liona was confused, since her dad had an important job and if he was really as swamped as her aunt said, he should be buried in that mountain of paperwork still.
Her dad sighed. He looked tired and a bit disheveled. "Princess? Your Aunt Emm seemed to think that you needed to talk. I pushed as much of my work aside for now, so that I could be home tonight for you. This was also recommended by your Aunt Yulina and Uncle Artemis. Want to tell me what's on your mind?" Her dad came in and sat down on the edge of her bed. He really looked worried as he studied her face.
"Are you feeling alright? You're a bit flushed, is it time for your heat again? You just let your mom or I know if you need more suppressants or if they aren't working as they should." Her dad sounded more concerned as he felt her forehead for the fever that would precede her heat.
"I'm fine. My heat isn't due until after my birthday. Not until mid April at the earliest. My suppressants are working just fine. I don't think they need adjusting anymore. I've been stable in that regard since I was 17, Daddy. You and Mom worry too much."
"If it isn't your heat, then do you mind telling me what's been going on lately? I usually don't get scolded by your aunts and uncles for being busy. If you're having a difficult time with your siblings, all you need to do is tell us, Princess. Despite being busy, we do try to be home for all of you as much as we can. You are on the cusp of being a young adult, Liona, but that doesn't mean that you need to shoulder everything that's on your mind all on your own."
Liona looked down and hugged her pillow tighter. She was making her whole family worried about her. When had her anxiety gotten to the point that it was now obvious to everyone? She didn't want to worry her parents, especially her dad, but it seemed she was doing just that.
"Um, Daddy?" She started, trying to find the words to tell him about everything that had been troubling her lately. "Um, if I end up going to summer school, will you and mom be mad?" She wanted to tell her dad everything, but still was a bit reluctant. If her dad was busy, he really didn't need her to trouble him with her worries.
"No, Princess. We won't be mad. We only want what's best for you and if that's attending summer school to get that last credit or two that you need to graduate, then that is preferable to you having to repeat a whole year. Although if it does come down to it, if that becomes necessary, then so be it. We won't be mad if that is what helps you." Her dad told her.
"Um, then what about my birthday? Are you going to cancel it if I don't end up passing my finals?" She looked up and saw her dad sigh. It made her feel bad that she was worrying him now. She just wanted to keep it all to herself and prevent that sad look on his face.
"Liona, we only told you that so that you would focus on your studies more. Your 18th birthday is a big deal, and we don't want to take your party away as if it was a form of punishment. We know that you struggle and that you are trying your best to pass your classes and that you've done your best on your finals. We are just desperate. We don't want you being held back if we can help it, so we resorted to a drastic threat. Your party will be held, whether you passed your finals or not. We also have confirmation that both of your grandparents will be coming over to see you for your birthday. They will be here for the family gathering but might stop by to see you at your party for your friends and classmates."
"Really? Grandpa Lionel, Grandpa Kaito, Grandpa Darrol, and Grandpa Asher are going to be here for my party?!" Liona nearly squealed in excitement. She absolutely loved her grandparents. They always gave the best hugs and the best gifts. They loved to hear about her daily life and all about her friends.
"Yes, Princess. They are very excited that you're turning 18 and I believe they have a surprise for your birthday, but they won't tell your mother or I what it is." Her dad sounded a bit exasperated at that news, which totally meant that it was going to be something really epic.
Liona wondered what it was since she already had a car. Her graduation trip was another possibility, but her parents had already told her that they were doing that for her, but then again, if she really didn't graduate on time, did that mean that her graduation trip would be canceled?
"Daddy? If I end up not graduating on time, and go to summer school, will I still get my graduation trip with Chloe and Alli?" She really wanted to know.
Her dad sighed, exasperated a bit it seemed. She watched as he pulled out his phone and tapped and swiped a few times before he turned it to show her. When she looked at that screen, she nearly squealed in delight. On it was the confirmation of the purchase of three airline tickets round trip overseas to Ireland, England, and Germany.
"Your mother and I have already discussed it with Chloe and Allison's parents and have agreed since you'll all be 18 by the time graduation occurs, that we will fund your trip. You'll be staying with family everywhere you go, so there's no need to worry about lodging or food while overseas. You'll have someone from the family show you around if you want, or you can opt to go exploring on your own."