CHAPTER THREE
The present…
Angel
It’s been over a month and I’m still struggling to get over Chase. I don’t see him around much anymore, but when I do, my heart hurts. I remember the first few days after the incident. That’s what I call it now, when he totally brushed me off, I had to fight back the tears.
When I saw him with another girl, my heart broke all over again. I ran to the ladies’ room and cried my eyes out. It didn’t take him long to move on. I guess I need to do the same. The funny thing is, I haven’t been asked out once.
At first I thought my dad was up to his old tricks again. When I called and asked him though, he vigorously denied it. I know he wouldn’t lie to me. He’s always been forthcoming in the past about his overprotective tendencies, so there was no reason for me not to believe him this time.
Maybe Chase has been saying crap about me. Who knows? After what he did I wouldn’t put it past him. He’s definitely not the nice guy I thought he was. There’s not much I can do about it if he is. Truth is, I’m really not sure if I want to date anyway. If that’s the way guys treat you, maybe I’m better off without them.
Recently, it’s gotten so bad that I had to flee the state. I’m in Sydney at the moment. I’m flying back to Melbourne later today. I took the week off and came back home. I needed a little family therapy.
Even my friend Dana has been worried about me lately. I think it’s time I tell her what happened. She doesn’t understand what’s going on with me. All she knows is things are off. I haven’t been my usual happy-go-lucky-self since the incident with Chase.
She’s been calling me every day since I arrived. Tonight she’s coming over to my place for a girls’ night in. I’m looking forward to catching up with her. Some wine, a chick flick, my best friend and some junk food is just what I need.
I’m in my room packing the last of my things into my suitcase when my mum knocks on the door. “Can I come in, sweetheart?” she asks.
“Sure mum, you don’t have to ask.”
“Do you need a hand?”
“No, I’m almost done.”
“Is everything alright with you, Angel? I’ve noticed you’ve seemed a little down the past few days. The fact that you even came home for a week, missing all those classes, tells me something’s not right.”
“I’m fine. I was just a little homesick.” I feel terrible lying to her, but what can I say? I lost my virginity to a hot tattooed biker and he broke my heart? Nope, can’t say that.
She walks over to me, taking the last of the clothes out of my hand. After placing them in my suitcase she zips it up. She then grabs my hand and leads me over to the bed. She sits down tapping the bed beside her. I can feel a mother/daughter talk coming on.
“Honey, I’m your mum,” she says as soon as I sit, “but I’m also your friend. There’s absolutely nothing you can’t tell me, you know that right? You’ve lost your sparkle, so I know something’s up. Please talk to me. Ease my mind. Even your dad’s noticed things are off with you.”
“Oh mum,” I cry as I rest my head on her shoulder. She wraps me in her arms. I’m not sure if I really want to discuss this with her, but I need to talk to someone. I can’t keep it inside any longer.
“Please talk to me. I’m worried about you. You know, when I was your age I bottled things up all the time. Just like you do. You’re a lot like me, but you can’t keep it inside forever. It’ll catch up with you eventually. Trust me on that one.
I went through some things before, and after you were born. Talking helped. It wasn’t until I met your father, that I even learnt, a problem shared is a problem halved. If you don’t want to talk to me, talk to your friend Dana, anyone. Just get it off your chest.”
“What type of things did you go through?” I ask. I never knew she had problems. My parents seem like they’ve had a perfect life.
“It’s a long story. Maybe I’ll tell you about it one day. Right now though, I need to know what’s going on with you. I’m worried about you, Angel. I’ve never seen you this down before.”
“I met a guy,” I say as I lower my head.
“I see. And?”
“He broke my heart, mum.” The tears start to fall as I bury my face in my hands and sob.
“Oh sweetheart,” she says as she wraps me in her loving arms. “I’m sorry to hear that.” She holds me tight and lets me cry. I hear her sniffle and I know she’s crying too, for me. God I love her. When the tears stop she pulls back, wiping them from my eyes before cupping my face in her hands.