Chapter 26

"You can stop here." Aliyah said to me when we were at the corner just before reaching the school.

"What? Why?" I asked her.

"Just stop the car okay!" she yelled. "This is where I'm getting out."

"Why? The school is just up there." I said to her.

"Exactly. That's the exact reason why I want to be let off here. I don't want to be caught dead driving into the school's parking lot with you."

"Fine," I said stopping the car. "Why wait until we've reached this close to stop the car? You should have stopped me and gotten out and start walking minutes ago. Or better yet, why did you not walk straight from home?"

"Whatever." Aliyah scoffed before getting out.

I have decided that if Aliyah was going to be constantly disrespectful and petty, then I was going to return the favour. If she wanted to act like a spoil brat, then I'll treat her that way. I was not going to fight her anymore or try to seek her approval. I had been trying so hard to build a civil relationship with her but if she didn't want that then I wasn't going to fight her to.

I had been assigned two classes; a freshman English class and a junior English class. Those two classes were the classes that I would teach and be assessed from. Thankfully, none of them were Aliyah's class. I actually wanted to stay out of her space as best as possible. I just didn't understand why Aliyah still hated me this much. So her dad is dating again-big deal. I'd probably understand if it were a case where her parents were like divorced or separated and then Sean started dating me. That was usually the reason why kids hate their parent's partner. They often get the feeling that the person has ruined all chances of their parents getting back together but that wasn't the case here.

Her mom has been gone for sometime now. She was dead and she wasn't coming back ever. As sad or harsh as it was, it was the truth. So doesn't Sean deserve to date again and find happiness? I totally get that at times when you're a teenager, everything seem to get on your nerves and all but I personally believed that Aliyah was just being extra.

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"I seriously think that I'm in the wrong field of study." Kim said to me when we were having lunch.

"Yeah? Why do you say that?" I asked her.

"These students...I literally feel like I would fight the hell out of some of them." Kim hissed.

I couldn't helped laughing. I know Kim was serious because I honestly felt that way at times too.

"What happened?"

"These kids are the worst. I don't know if it is the fact that I'm a young student teacher or what, but they have no respect whatsoever. The boys in one of my classes, they kept whistling and catcalling every time I turned my back and faced the board. And the girls have a lot of attitude." Kim responded. "I seriously wanted to drop the professionalism act and start a fight."

"Kim, I know what you mean but you just have to try not to let them get to you." I said to her. "I've gotten some of that same treat in the hallway but not so much in the classroom. I'm yet to see what my next class is like."

"I don't know if I can take it Morgan. It is so damn annoying. Reminds me so much how I hate teenagers."

"You were a teenager yourself not so long ago." I chuckled.

"I know and that is why I can't stand them now." Kim responded.

"At least you don't have to live with one." I sighed.

"Aliyah still giving you a hard time?" Kim asked with understanding.

"Kim, she's driving me crazy. She spoiled, bratty, disrespectful, did I say spoiled? And not to mention the fact that she hates me." I sighed. "I don't know what I keep doing wrong, I've tried in every way to connect with her but it's no use. Chrissy is awesome and there is no doubt about how she feels about me but Ali... she's a different story."

"The only consolation or excuse I can give you is that she's a teenager. They're all pain in the ass." Kim responded. "I think she'll eventually come around though, don't worry."

"But when though? When things are ruined between her father and I? " I said to her. "Those girls are Sean's life. I know he loves them more than life itself and that is why I'm trying to build a relationship with the kids. I know Sean and the girls are a package deal- they come together. Even though that wasn't what I had originally signed up for, since I had no idea he had kids. But it turns out he has not one but two, and I'm in love with him so I know that if I want the Dad, I'm going to have to want the kids as well."

"I have to admit that you're in a tough spot." Kim agreed. "I mean it must be difficult trying to keep your relationship going with a man whose daughter you can't get along with."

"Tell me about it." I sighed. "See, when I told Sean that this is where I'll be doing my teaching practice, he thought it'd be a great idea for Aliyah to ride to school with me. Worst idea ever. I felt as if the girl would grabbed the steering wheel and turned us over a cliff or something. The amount of attitude and dirty looks that I got from her. And then before we reached the school, she insisted that I stopped and let her out. She rather to walk the rest of the way as she didn't want to be caught dead coming to school with me. She doesn't want anyone to know that I know her."

"Why didn't she just walked all the way from her home to school then?"

"That's exactly what I said." I said to Kim.

"Or better yet, just tell Sean the truth. Tell him that he has a spoiled brat and you're not taking her to school again. He probably knows it already." Kim replied.

"Kim, I can't exactly do that. Like I told you before, Sean and Aliyah is a package deal. If I ever decided to show any disdain towards her, then things between Sean and I are going to fail. Things are really good between Sean and I right now, I rather to keep things that way."

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Things were getting out of control slowly but surely. Each time I tried to get along with Aliyah, she did something else to push me over the edge. I was used to her antics by now so I usually ignore her but for the past couple of days, she's been really pushing me. Her antics with me dropping her off before we reached the school grounds and picking her up outside the school continued. I also tried my best to avoid her at school just to make things run smoothly between us but it became obvious she did not want that.

I got the distinct feeling that she was trying to start a rift between Sean and I. It started with me missing three of my new loreal lipsticks. I had purchased the set containing six different colours online a few weeks ago. I tried three of the nude ones already but still hadn't used any of the brighter colours. When I was ready to try a new pink shade I had gotten, I noticed that it was missing. I searched the entire place- even places I knew it could never be- just to be certain that I didn't have it. I realized that it was deliberately taken from where I had left it so I even planned on asking Sean if he had seen them. However, at dinner I realized where the missing lipsticks were -Aliyah.

"Nice color Ali." I said to her as I put down my fork.

"What?" Aliyah asked looking up at me.

"Your lipstick." I said looking at her intently.

"Oh, I know right. Thanks." Aliyah gave me a smug look which confirmed what I had already guessed- she was the one who took my lipsticks.

"So where did you get it? I had the exact colour before." I said trying to bait her.

"Why are you even wearing lipstick? You're having dinner and you aren't going anywhere." Sean commented, being completely oblivious to the truth about what was happening with Aliyah and I.

"Dad, you wouldn't understand. You're not a woman."

"Wait, aren't you a little too young to be wearing makeup? I can't recall ever giving you the permission to wear that stuff." Sean said to her.

"Seriously dad? I'm fifteen, I'm not a child anymore. Besides, all the girls my age and younger are wearing makeup and so much more."

"You are a child Aliyah- my child. And sometimes I really wish you would act like it."

"Dad, you need to start accepting the fact that I'm growing up. I'm not going to be your little girl forever, but I will always be your daughter." Aliyah smiled at Sean.

"No doubt about that." Sean smiled lovingly at her.

I couldn't believe that girl. I decided to confront her about it after dinner. She couldn't just go about and take my things just like that.

"Aliyah, I need to speak with you." I stopped her right at the foot of the stairs.

Sean was still in the kitchen and Chrissy was upstairs watching cartoons.

"What do you want?"

"Why did you take my lipsticks?" I asked with my arms crossed.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Aliyah shrugged.

"Don't play dumb with me Aliyah. I know you took my lipsticks. That one you're wearing right now is my loreal lipstick so quit the act. Why did you take them without asking?" I asked her.

"Oh my god! Are you accusing me of stealing!?" Aliyah raised her voice.

"Keep your voice down, I'm trying not to get Sean involved. And yes, it is stealing if you took it without my knowledge and without asking." I said to her. "If you wanted them all you had to do was ask. I would have given them to you. As a matter of fact, I would have even bought you an entire set like I did for myself. I wouldn't have an issue with that but when you go through my stuff and took my things without my permission or knowledge, I do have a problem with that."

"So you're calling me a thief!? If you know that I am a thief why don't you just call the cops then!?

Or better yet, why are you even living here if you know that I am a thief huh!?" Aliyah started yelling.

"Aliyah keep your voice down, I don't..."

"What's going on here?" Sean asked as he joined us.

"Ask your girlfriend! She's the one accusing me of being a thief. I don't even know what she's talking about!" Aliyah responded.

"Morgan?" Sean looked at me for explanation.

"I didn't call her a thief..."

"You did! You just called me a thief and accused me of stealing your things! I don't even know what you're on about and now that dad is here you're going to deny it? I guess you're not only an accuser but a two faced manipulative liar!" She screamed at me before running up the stairs.

This girl was good. She deserves an award winning Grammy for great actress.

"Ali!" Sean called after her but she continued to her room and slammed the door of her room loudly.

I rubbed a hand over my forehead as I tried to ease the tension that had built up due to the recent situation.

"What happened between you two?" Sean asked me.

"Nothing. Just a little misunderstanding. Don't worry about it." I sighed as I started for the stairs.

"No, that wasn't nothing." Sean stopped me. "It's obviously something if Ali is that upset. What did you say she took?"

"Sean, I said don't worry about it okay? It's nothing."

"Morgan, I get that you and Aliyah don't see eye to eye but if something happened, I think you should inform me. If there is an issue, if you think she took something you should tell me. Let me see if I can solve the problem."

"There isn't any problem Sean. Like I said, it's just a little misunderstanding alright. Now if you don't mind, I would really like if I could just go upstairs, brush my teeth and head to bed. I've had a long day today."