Always & Forever

Chapter 9

Amada's head snaps up as she hears the back door open, she glances at her dad and then down to her fingers again.

She was sitting on the swinging bed that hung from their back porch. She was supposed to have a date with Jason but he never showed so she sat alone. She shouldn't be surprised or disappointed, she knows not to trust others because really, she's been alone her whole life.

She just wished this time was different, that he was different.

From all the people she'd met in her life she'd always been alone. Nobody was ever there for her, but yet she was always there for them. She gave herself so selflessly and was hurt so many times but what was she to do about it?

Her parent's and Isla had been the only exceptions, the only ones to ever show her any love or true, real compassion. Not the fake crap that has them using her yet again, just like so many others seem to do.

"You're going to freeze if you continue sitting out here." her dad warned her, standing in the doorway still.

She simply shrugged and wrung her hands a few times, trying to get feeling back into her fingers because yes, her dad was right. It was freezing out here, but she didn't want to go back inside, not yet.

She was frustrated with herself, with actually believing someone would care. For being so foolish as to think that he was different. She was annoyed that her parents had made it seem that people actually care just because they did.

"Amada," Sean began again but she huffed out a breath, the cool air turning it smokey looking as it dissolved. "I know, dad" she said irritated, flopping back against the bed.

"Really? You know what I was going to say?" he asked, he wasn't upset, his voice was laced with kindness, and love which just frustrated her more.

She didn't look at him, didn't cast a glance his way just sat up again and took the two mugs of hot chocolate- that had turned cold- in her hands and stuck them out to him stubbornly saying, "Here, go."

She didn't want to talk. She just wanted to be alone. And it seems strange to her, that she's annoyed because she is always alone but also doesn't want her dad with her because then he'll go all soft and loving and damn it that's just not what she needs right now.

She wants him to leave her alone, to let her freeze out here. She wants him to prove her point.

Well that's what she tells herself anyway but really, she knows deep down that she does want him here. Of course she wants him here.

He took the mugs from her and placed them inside but not ten seconds later he was back outside with her, carefully taking a seat next to her. He took the blanket he'd brought and pulled her to him, wrapping it tightly around her petite shivering body.

He placed a gentle kiss to her forehead and asked softly, "What's wrong, sweetheart?"

"I want to be alone." she said, not caring to hide her irritation.

"Okay." he replied and she was surprised how easy it was to convince him but then he continued, "come inside, warm up and I will leave you alone."

She groaned and looked up at him, "Why? Just let me freeze."

He steadily looked into her eyes as he told her, "Not in a million years."

She opened her mouth to argue with him when he started talking again saying, "C'mon, I have a surprise."

"What is it?"

"Well if I told you it wouldn't be a surprise." he pointed out simply, adding, "But, you're already all dressed up, I think we should go out."