Afraid To Love Again

Chapter 29 - Leave it all behind?

Four months later

"Good girl", I applauded for Kelly, "Now add 5 to 8", I waited on her to solve it as she put her fingers up to calculate.

"Th-Thirteen? Thirteen!", she said her final answer. I applauded again for her.

"Smart girl. I guess all the brains went to you", I smiled before accidentally making eye contact with Kendricks who was in front of me.

"Are you here for me or for Kelly?"

"I can help the both of you. Isn't that right Kelly. Your brother is so selfish"

"Kelly, Erica does not belong to you, you know? I know you're asking for help with your homework on purpose when you already know the answer", Kendricks ran to her and tickled her until she ran away.

"What did you mean by she got all the brains?"

"She's pretty smart for her age from what I've seen", I shrugged

"Did doing well on my finals, not prove anything?"

"Well, if you try hard enough, you can actually get good results"

"Well-", we both directed our attention to Kendricks' phone vibrating on the table, "Oh, it's dad, that's odd", he picked up the phone and placed it against his ear.

I waited on him while I looked through the homework I gave him last Thursday. It was long overdue, but at least so far he seemed to have gotten all the answers right.
He cut the call and I said something, "I guess you don't really need me everyday anymore for tutoring lessons", I spoke first after the call ended.

"What? No, I've got a lot I need help with. Phys for example"

"But you doing just fine. You don't my help as of now"

"Hey, um about the call. Dad has something planned for me this break to celebrate my grades. As usual, some sort of vacation"

"Oh, that's amazing"

"As if we don't go on these holiday vacations either way", he rolled his eyes, "We might be away for two weeks or maybe three, I don't know"

I pulled a little frown at the news after realizing how long he might be gone for, "I guess I'll have to put my bucket list aside this holiday", I clasped my hands together on my laps.

I was caught off guard when he gave me a peck on the lips. I perked my head up and he put on a cheery smile before he took me into his comforting embrace, "I'll be back before you know it. And a whole tractor to bring all your Christmas gift from wherever we are going"

My eyes lit up like a child, "Thank you Santa. Just... just go easy and get me one or two things I'd cherish forever"

"Okay, so snacks are off the list", he took note.

"No no, that's not what I meant, you know?", I pouted

Kendricks chuckled, "I love you", he hugged me tighter before planting a kiss on my forehead.

"I love you too", I said back, but my voice was muffled because I was now being suffocated in his chest. He let go right after.

◍✧⁠*･｡˖⁠♡

A week later, Amelia, Max and I bid Kendricks and his family goodbye and watched them leave in the extravagant looking car. They had body guards dressed in all black and shades with them this time around because his parents were with him and Kelly. The car disappeared in no time and I was left looking at the now empty road by his house.

"Aww", Amelia immediately pulled me in a hug, "Erica, he'll be back in three weeks, don't cry", she laughed while comforting me at the same time.

I forced myself out, because she wasn't taking my emotions seriously.

"Only this one time time we'll allow you to tag along and third wheel us", Amelia sighed patting my back.

"Because of you", I shifted my attention to Max now, "I can't have the many girls' ldays and nights as before and I become a mere third wheel"

"So, you want me to be the third wheel instead", Max said sarcastically

"You know, we think alike. That's a great idea", I clasped onto Amelia arm and walked ahead, sticking my tongue out when we were now a little distance away.

◍✧◍✧◍

"The whole day, I was a pain in the couple's butt, especially the boyfriend, because I wouldn't leave Amelia's side for a second, and also-"

"This is all a result of Kendricks leaving for a day. What of the next few weeks?"

"I know", I pouted, "I miss him. But it's just three weeks...a whole three weeks"

Dad looked at mom with an unsure look. Mom turned to dad soon after and this made me feel uneasy.

"Dad-"

"Erica-"

Dad and I said simultaneously, cutting each other off.

"Continue", I said.

"Erica, you know how we moved here for the growth of the business and mainly because I had a huge deal that would mean for the whole thing to skyrocket", dad looked back at me to search for a reaction

"Right", was all I said.

"And...it did"

"I had in mind that we would have to stay for two or more years, but we got it done in less than a year and even got a trustworthy person to manage the business on this side"

Is this going the direction I think it's going?

"But, I recently found out a few weeks ago that things aren't going so well back home and profits and collaborations are declining. I would not be explaining all this to you, but I thought that maybe you would understand the situation I'm in and cooperate with-"

"But I won't", I cut him off.

"What?", dad asked confused, mom's head perked up to my response.
I already knew what they were going to say next.

"I'm not going to cooperate, never"

"Erica sweetie-", mom said and I knew she was about to try to convince me all over again like last time.

"No. Not this again mom. Six to seven months ago, you both broke the news to me when I was at my lowest and tried to convince me to move away from my home to come all the way here to start all over again, and that worked. But, no, not this time.

I have finally made friends, finally began to fit in, finally moved on, finally got back on my feet, but now you want to take me away from that. This is my home now, I feel at home, everyone around me makes me feel at home. The people who I hold dear in my heart stay here, and I will stay with them"

"Erica", dad sighed. He has a stubborn daughter, but it proves she knows what she wants.

"I'm not going anywhere!"

"Erica! Will you just please listen for once!", dad rose from his seat, banging onto the table with both his fists.

"Alright", I stood up too, "I'll stay here on my own"

"You're not old enough", mom decided to bring up.

"Then stay for one more year until I turn eighteen"

"Do you hear yourself. I'm saying we have to go back now. Our flight is in four days, we already booked last week, but couldn't find the right time to tell you because of the countless times you would go out and you always rambling at the table about the amazing day you had. It hurt me too how I had to tell you this"

I felt tears escape my eyes as I took in my father's words. I have to leave my happiness behind?

🥀🥀🥀