Excerpt--
Take a breath, Lana.
Everything will be okay.
My stomach churned when I noticed his perfectly combed chestnut hair walking through the corridor by himself, just like any other day. I basically jumped out of the bush, nearly tripping in the...
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Our days at the Novak's house became gloomy. Especially when my father had spoken to Declan's parents about his recent realization. Even from my room, I heard Mrs. Novak's constant pleads and sobs ripping my heart in half. It tore my heart apart, but I couldn't stop myself from listening to their conversation.
"By doing this, Lana will be able to give up on Declan," my father said.
"Please don't!" Mrs. Novak sobbed. "I will convince Declan!"
"Mrs. Novak, this matter is between them as parents. We shouldn't interfere and force things to happen. It would only cause them to rebel," my father advised, earning a storm-shattering wail.
"It's not that I won't accept any girl who comes to this house, but Lana is something special. Lana is so cheerful no matter how down things become, she is full of courage and not afraid of anything. She's one of the most loveable people I've meant, always caring about others before herself. She's the best daughter anyone could ask for," she bawled, sending sharp knives into my heart.
The vulnerability in her voice snapped whatever pieces were left of my heart.
I'm so honored she felt this way about me, yet it made it much harder to let go. As I slowly folded my clothes into cardboard boxes, I couldn't help but let the tears stream out. My eyes wandered towards my girly decorated bed, reminiscing about the memory of when Mrs. Novak revealed my new room. I'm going to miss her so much-- she was the closest thing I had to a mother.
However, my dad played both roles for years, and I knew he will continue doing an amazing job at it.
"Lana would be very happy to hear you talk about her like this. I'm sorry," my father stated.
There was no more talking after that, only crying and crying and crying from both Declan's parents. Suddenly, loud thuds came from someone running upstairs. I pouted, wishing maybe Declan would come into my room and beg us to stay.
Why am I so hopeless?
A knock on my door captured my attention. "Lana?" Her sweet, strained voice called out.
"Come in." I sniffled, folding another shirt into my beaten cardboard box.
Once the door opened, ear-piercing sobs erupted from her lips as she took in the emptiness of my room. The only thing I haven't packed was the bedsheets and extra stuffed animals that couldn't fit in my other boxes.
"I'm going to do everything in my power to get your father to change his mind," she insisted, kneeling down at my side and wrapping her hands over mine.
"Maybe my father has a point... I don't want to leave either, but maybe this is for the best." I gulped, swallowing the harsh reality down my throat.
"No! You can't give up Lana! I know my son and he will come around." She wailed.
