Different But Same (Eli "Hawk" Moskowitz)

XIX. The Fault

Two days had passed since Lainey and Eli broke up. The movie night with Sam did help, but as much as Lainey wanted to forget about Eli, she couldn't. 

He was always on her mind. 

She even missed training for the first time, much to Demetri's disappointment but he understood her reasons.

Lying in her bed, Lainey found herself scrolling through photos of her and Eli as tears stinged her eyes. She opened up their messages, her thumbs hovered over the keyboard. She wanted to message him, but she couldn't bring herself to do it.

A knock sounded on her bedroom door.

"Go away Sam, I'm not in the mood," Lainey announced as she pulled the covers over her head.

"It's not Sam."

"Dad?" Lainey replied, peering at the closed door as if she could see him through it.

"Yeah, can I come in honey?"

"Sure."

Lainey sat upright as her dad entered. He still had his headband on, he clearly came over straight from training.

He frowned at the sight of his daughter with her puffy red eyes, uncombed hair and fluffy pyjamas on. The curtains were closed, Daniel could only assume they had been closed for days and that his daughter hadn't moved from her bed for the same amount of time.

"Lainey, mom told me what happened."

"She did?"

Daniel nodded. "I'm so sorry."

"You're sorry?"

"I am. I can't help but feel like I am partly to blame."

Lainey closed her eyes. "Dad, trust me. It had nothing to do with you."

"Really?"

Lainey nodded. "Really."

Daniel sat on the edge of Lainey's bed, he took hold of her hand.

"I understand what you're going through right now. I promise you things will get better."

"Sure." Lainey laughed dryly.

Daniel reached Lainey's phone which almost fell onto the floor as she pulled at her blanket.

"Maybe start by changing your lock screen?" Daniel suggested as he looked down at her locked phone, revealing a photo Lainey had taken of Eli at the arcade. "And take this photo out of your case too."

It was a photo from the photo booth. Lainey frowned at the memory, sadness took over her.

"Dad, I can't stop crying," Lainey admitted as she leaned towards her dad.

Daniel wrapped his arms around her, kissing the top of her head.

"I know honey. I'm sorry. This will pass. Just give it time."

"I hope so," Lainey mumbled against her dad's shoulder.

"I could go over there and give him a piece of my mind for making you like this, y'know."

"Please don't," Lainey muttered. "How was training today?" she asked, sitting back as she hoped he would drop the idea of going over to Eli's.

Daniel nodded. "It went well. Demetri found the Medal of Honor too."

"Woah, really?"

Daniel nodded.

"Where?"

"It was lodged beneath the decking."