Here I Come | ✔

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Eight - Emotional Baggage

Thursday, 26th November 2020

ZACHARY

"I'll see you in two hours, Diamond," I said, pecking my girlfriend's forehead softly, "I love you."

"I love you."

I waved and walked out of the house. Climbing into my car, I saw her close the front door and stuck the key into the ignition. Putting on some music, I started driving towards my house.

Ben had texted me to come home for Thanksgiving and I was going to reject when I thought, 'Maybe I should go, just for an hour or something. To see my family again.'

So, yeah. That's why I'm on my way to where I lived for the past two decades. Driving there, I thought about how the future will play out.

Diamond and I are going to get married and have children of our own. We haven't discussed kids yet, but maybe it's because we've only been dating for a few months...

I can't imagine my future without her there. She crashed into my life without me asking and I don't want her to leave. She became the light of my life, the sun in my gloomy days, my precious treasure.

I gently rubbed the ring hooked onto the silver chain and smiled as I felt the engraving.

Forever Yours

An image of my love appeared in my head as I turned left into my neighborhood. I went past house after house until the end of the street. Stopping the car, I shut the engine off and braced myself for whatever my family will throw at me.

I got out and locked the car before walking up the driveway. The garden was completely unkempt as usually either Ben or I would call in a gardener to help. Now that we're out of the house, I don't think mom gives a shit anymore.

I knocked on the door and waited for a little bit before it opened. My twin stood there with a smile on his face, "Hey."

I nodded, "Hey."

He moved away to let me in and closed the door, "Why didn't you use your key?"

"I gave it to you, remember?" I said, looking around the house. He rubbed his neck sheepishly, "Totally forgot about that."

I lightly knocked the top of his head with my knuckle, "Dumbass."

He ran his hand through his hair, "Well, you know me," he pointed at his temple, "Short-term memory. I'm basically Dory."

I raised an eyebrow before asking, "Where's mom?"

"Oh, she went out with her boyfriend but she'll be home in about...twenty minutes?"

I nodded and started walking up the stairs, "I guess I'll wait in my old room then."

"Okay," he slightly shouted so his response could reach me who was already opening the door to my old room.

It was just as I left it, only with an added layer of dust. Empty and dusty.

I walked to the picture frames I didn't bother to take with me. Some were with family friends I never contacted any more, and the rest were with my absent father.

"Why'd you leave?" I softly muttered to myself. Sometimes I blame myself for him leaving, but other times I blame no one.

I know that it wasn't my fault, he was the one that wanted to leave. My love had convinced me that it wasn't my fault. But I hadn't convinced myself that I wasn't at fault.