Chapter Twenty-Six:

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Chapter Twenty-Six:

I cried in my sleep.

I know this because of the throbbing headache I woke up with.

I am probably late for school.

I reach for my phone to check the time, 11 am.

Yeah, totally late.

I had 43 messages and 34 missed calls from Steph and Bianca.

I feel a sinking feeling when I realized there was nothing from Hunter.

Of course not.

Why would he bother?

He doesn't care.

I didn't open my notifications.

Instead, I just tossed my phone aside and turn on my side.

The big unicorn Hunter had won at the carnival stares back at me.

It couldn't have been that long ago when he kissed me like that.

Could it?

I don't want to go to school.

I don't want to see him.

I don't want to see them together.

Just the mere thought of them together sickens me.

I don't think I could handle it this time like that time I handled Amanda and Aiden.

I felt something...more with Hunter.

He is better than Aiden in so many ways.

I fucking blew it.

I didn't realize the tears that is slowly sliding down my cheeks until I feel it tickle my lips.

I take in a shaky breath and wipe them away.

I promised myself I wouldn't cry.

Why am I so vulnerable suddenly?

He isn't dead.

You still lost him; you bitch.

My door opens, "Honey?" I hear my mom call out softly and then her footsteps.

"Sweetheart? Aren't you going to school today?" The side of my bed dips. "Are you sick?" I feel her touch my side and I turn to face her.

Her eyes widen at the sight of my tear-stained face and she grabs my hand. "

Sweetie, what's wrong?" She asks worriedly.

For the first time I feel like I could tell her this.

I miss her and I want to tell her.

I sit up and she grabs me in a hug.

I hold on to her and the tears fell freely.

I want to tell her everything, from the beginning.

"And I screwed it up, Ma." I cry and she rubs my arm.

She smiles softly after I told her everything.

I told her about Amanda, about Aiden, about Hunter.

She's handling it better than I thought she would.

"Oh, darling. I remember the first time when your father and I fell madly in love..."

"Wait!" I stare at her, "You guys were in love?" She laughs.

"We were always in love, Julie! I still believe we are." She smiles and I feel my heart swell.

"We were both so confused, and we were so rude to each other. I refused to let him know about my feelings," she seems far away while telling me this.

"Sweetheart, I am sorry about our fights," she grabs both of my hands in hers, "I am so so sorry, but we're trying this time for real. We are both going to make it right with you. I know we should have 17 years ago, and we are really sorry, love." Her eyes shine with tears, and I pull her into a hug.

"When he hit me, he didn't mean it. We were having a fight about my dad, and he just lost it. He immediately checked on me and helped me with the bruise that was forming." She explains while hugging me.

"He isn't a monster. I don't want you to ever think that about your dad."

No, I am not mad at her.

Or my dad.

Why should I be?

They're trying this time, for real, and I trust them.

And for a moment I forget about Hunter.

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