everything has changed

chapter 5

Daisy

"Daisy, my lovely girl I finally found you." I heard my mother calling me and when I finally turn to see her, I discover that she wasn't alone but with my dad. Why. Why would she ever take him back after all he did? "What is he doing here?" I yell at my mother. I can't believe it, after all those years she didn't learn anything. He left because for him we were nothing, me and my problematic brother. Not that he actually ever cared about my mother, he used to treat her like a servant who had to leave her job because when he came back she had to make him find dinner ready. I'm too tired to see how he's gonna destroy her again because I'll be the one to pick up the pieces and put both her and the whole family back together. "He has a responsible job and he changed, I swear. This time we're going to be a family. I promise you. You don't say that but I know that you need a family, someone to trust. And we could build it, together but I need you to trust me." I can't. It's not that I don't trust her because she has really great intentions, it's him. He's the problem. And nothing would change because he won't change.

"Mom, it's not about me. I trust you with my whole heart. I just don't trust him. He won't change, you have to understand it. I don't wanna see you crying yourself to sleep and all of this because you care about him. I won't. He had to leave or I leave. Choose. Him or me." I say trying to hold my tears back. I can't let him see that I still care about a father that was never there for me and that has treated me like shit, like I was nothing when I'm important. I'm someone, not nothing. And then someone touches me. Leo. I almost forgot that we were at school. I can't believe I'm ruining a day so important for Chloe. And for who? My dad.

And then my father steps in front of me saying "Listen, I meant it this time. I really do. I wanna be a father for you", but before he can continue I start yelling "You're not my father. My mother is my father. Where were you when I learned how to walk, when people bullied me, when my brother's condition got worse? Oh now I remember, you weren't fucking there. You were never here. A real father is by your side every time not because he needs something."

"You're always like this. You fucking cunt. You're the real problem. She always chooses you because she loves you. I tried but I can't see why. You have a cold heart and you're so mean with everyone that's why you don't have any friends. Sometimes ask yourself why people don't want to be around you and realize that you're the problem. Grow up." I told myself that I didn't care, that his opinion doesn't matter but now I'm hurt because fuck if I care. I always care too much about what people say. I just don't let them see that.

Leo removes his hand from my shoulder and stans by my side, answering "Oh fuck no. Daisy is the kindest person I have ever met. She was there for Chloe when she felt alone and so scared, she was there for her mother, for her brother, and she was there for me when I felt so alone that I wanted to disappear. She's a fucking force and a genius. It's incredible that after what she goes through every fucking day, she's still here stronger than ever. You don't know her, you don't even try. Your loss, she's awesome." I don't know what to do other than looking at him. Nobody ever said something like that about me. No one ever defended my honor like that, it's not like I have ever needed someone to do that. And before one of them can say something else, I run away. Anywhere just not home. And so I ended up in the school library. I love this place, I love reading books. Losing myself in them let me forget about my problem so I can always escape this world when everything is too much. After an hour of reading "The secret history" by Donna Tartt sitting on the floor, I hear footsteps and there I see Leo.

"Hi," he says softly walking in my way.

"Hi," I say while he sits next to me.

I was ready to hear him asking so many questions about my father but he just says "So, um what's that book about?" if he knew I was so shocked by his question he didn't let me see that. "Really great. It's about these students in a college where they study Greek and Latin and one of them dies. Sorry, you're probably not interested, I can't picture you as one who reads so...Anyways thank you." I start babbling,

 "Well, actually I like to hear you talking about something that you like. If you're so interested in it I would love to read it and talk about it with you. So maybe later if you want we can go to a bookstore and buy one together. Always if you have time or you're in the mood. I'm not trying to obligate you into doing something that you don't wanna do. I would nev-" At that moment I realize he was blushing. He's so beautiful that it's painful.

 "Yes. I would love to go to a bookstore. Not with you but if it's the only way, sure." I say smirking and he laughs. And I went weak for a moment, the light in his eyes the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. "I missed your boldness, my dear smartass."

"Shall we?" he says giving me his hand to help me get up and without thinking of anything else I take it. He keeps saying that I was the one to help him but right now he's doing more than I could ever do. He's helping me in a way he doesn't even know. If that was a moment that I wanted to remember for my whole life was this, him smiling at me like I was the only thing that mattered in the world.