Slipping Through the Cracks of Our Hearts

healing

It's the next morning and I come downstairs to see dad and Hunter making breakfast for me. 

"Dad!", I say as I run up to him and hug him.

"Hi sweetie, Hunter told me you're back!" "Yep, I'm right here dad.", I say as we both smile at each other. "Mmm, waffles! You know me so well!", I say as I smell the delicious meal in front of me. 

A few hours pass and when Hunter and dad are both sitting outside talking I join them. I can't keep hiding things from them. It's time to let my past go. 

"Hey guys, can we talk?" 

"Yes, yes Islah please come sit.", my dad says to me as he pats the seat next to him. 

I started with Blake and everything he did to me in the past. The abuse, my pregnancy, then went on about my new relationship, my job, college life, Owen, and finally Blake's death, along with everything else in between. 

It was hard, very hard. I don't like people seeing me in pain, especially the people I love. 

I could see the pain in my dad's eyes after hearing everything. "Oh Islah, I'm so sorry sweetie, I can't believe I never knew, I feel like I failed as a father.", he says to me. He begins to tear up. 

"No dad, please don't blame yourself! You've always been the best father I could've asked for. I chose to bottle everything up but I'm trying to heal. No more deceit. Thank you both for everything. After giving my dad a big hug Hunter hugs me and lets me know how much I matter to him. 

"I love you guys so much.", I tell them.

It's taken years of hiding and pain but I'm proud of myself. Everything I've been through has only made me stronger. I think everything happens for a reason. 

I need to talk to Owen. I hope he's doing okay. I'm not sure what happened to Blake and I want to know.

"Thank you for being here for me, I'm very happy to be home but I need to get back to New York tomorrow. I have to talk to Owen."

"Yes, of course. Do you need a ride?", Hunter asks me. "That'd be great Hunter, thank you!", I say as I smile. 

The next morning....

"All ready?", Hunter asks me. "Yep. Bye dad, I love you so much!", I say to him as we hug. "Bye sweetie. I hope all goes well for you and I'm very proud of you Islah, don't forget how special you are." "Aw dad, stoppp.", I respond. "I mean it!", He says to me and I smile and get in the car.

I wave goodbye and we're off for yet another super long drive.

Hunter puts on some good music and we jam out the whole car ride until I'm back to New York.

I could stay like this forever.

I thank Hunter and say goodbye. Now I'm on a mission to find Owen. I first check in my dorm but he's not there. Not even Daisy. Shit. Then I check our spot by the lake. Nothing. Finally, I get ready to head to Owen's place before hearing commotion occurring on the football field.

There's a fight happening and everyone is crowding around these two people. I was going to ignore the fight, however my intuition told me to check it out. 

Turns out I should follow my gut more often cause Owen was one of the people in the fight. I push through the crown and yell out, "Owen!" He stops and looks around. "Islah?", he yells out. I try to get through to reach him but someone stops me. "Stay the fuck away, you're blocking my view bitch!", this random douche bag says to me. 

"Hey! Don't fucking talk about my girlfriend like that!", Owen says to the guy. 

"Islah, I'm so fucking sorry, please forgive me.", Owen tells me as he hugs me tight.

"What are you doing getting into fights?", I ask him and I break the embrace.

He looks back at the guy's bloody face. "Fuck, I know. I don't know what I was thinking. Sorry man.", he says as he tries to help the guy he hit. "Get the fuck off!", the man responds as he pushes Owen away.

"Let's just leave Owen, before things get worse.", I tell him.

"Yes, let's get out of here.", he responds.