Claws Against Petals✓

20•|Full Moon

Orchid's POV:

"Get out."

Hearing his strict tone, I didn't think it would ache that badly for me. But now it feels like I'm completely alone, my only hope was to rely on him...I thought that at least he could be the one to help me. But I was wrong, he's no different from my father or Damien. Though why does my heart hurt so much?

Biting my lower lip, I avoided looking at him as I hurried to get out of the car! However, the moment I did, I instantly cried. I know I was the one who wanted to end things, but that was because it was starting to become so overwhelming for me. After everything I've learned, it's getting harder to trust others. And deep down, I wanted to trust Grayson. Though it's difficult when I haven't forgiven him for what he's done...

As I walked further away, the sounds of his engine could be heard driving off as I quickly tried to dry my tears. What the hell is wrong with me!? Why am I getting so emotional first thing in the morning, I need to distance myself from him. Taking a deep breath in, I calmed my nerves while pulling out my parent's photo...

"Is my dad...even my real father-"

"Orchid! There you are, where's Grayson?! Did he leave already, that asshole! I told him to take me along so we could come to school together- hey, are you okay?"

I suddenly heard Marissa come towards me as she stared at my light red eyes. I'm sure they looked irritated with all the rubbing I did, placing the picture back in my pocket. I tried giving her a reassuring smile that everything was fine, but the look in her gaze was obvious and she knew that I wasn't okay.

"He left a while ago...I'm fine. Let's get to class-"

"Wait, did Grayson tell you anything about the picture? The very second I looked at that logo, I knew instantly it was from Silver Crest. Though the image is very faded, I'm curious as to why your father would keep this a secret from you. Listen... Grayson told me not to tell you anything. But you're my friend, and I can't just stay quiet and watch you be sad. Whatever relationship you have with your father, I could tell you right now that he truly does love you-"

"I'm not so sure about that, he can't even talk to me about my mother. And whenever I do try and ask, he avoids it. I guess I was so desperate in wanting to know, that I ended up taking my father's journal. But whenever I would read it...I became more afraid. And I think it's because I wasn't sure what I would find out, and how it would end up changing things. Grayson mentioned that you have it-"

"Oh! Yeah...it's in my room. We didn't read it, I just don't think it's right unless you read it first. But I understand that the unknown is always a frightening thing. Not knowing if the truth will change you for the better, or for the worse. However, I want you to know that if you ever need a place to escape...you could always come over to my place and stay-"

"No, I couldn't do that. I don't want to intrude on your family-"

"What do you mean intrude? I'm telling you it's fine, my family won't mind at all."

She said with a comforting smile as we got closer to the gates.

"I don't think Grayson would like that-"

"Who cares what he thinks, honestly, he's always isolated himself from everyone. I remember it took him twelve years to finally talk to me-"

"Twelve!? Wait, just how long has he lived with your family?"

I curiously asked, I know I said that I wouldn't get involved with him anymore. But whenever I get the chance to learn something new about him, I can't help but grow eager about it.

"Let's see...from what my mother told me. I think Grayson was, 647 years old when I was born-"

"What, are you kidding me!? No...that's not possible-"