Left Behind // Scarlett Johansson x Daughter

Bittersweet News

POV YN 

I was unaware of how much time had passed; I didn't have a watch to check it. Whenever I had one, I'd either lose it or accidentally break it, so I walked around with both wrists bare.

What was clear to me was that I wasn't ready to return to the ranch. I didn't want to meet my father's gaze; I resisted accepting that final fate. It wasn't fair! Incredibly unfair! I wrapped my arms around myself, feeling wounded, not only by the news but also by the fact that all my siblings knew about it except me. For two years, they had hidden it from me while I blissfully remained unaware that one day it could be the last.

I heard a noise and remained silent, even though tears continued to fall. I wasn't ready to face my siblings yet. I sighed in relief when I saw the curly head of my best friend, Ava Jones, the daughter of Professor Jones.

"I figured you'd be at the fort. I went to your house and they told me you weren't there," Ava commented, unaware of my state, which she noticed when she stood in front of me. "What's wrong, YN?" she asked, alarmed. "Tell me something, did you fall? Are you in pain?"

I shook my head, not having a tissue to wipe my nose.

"It's not fair, Ava, it's not fair."

Ava approached me and sat beside me; immediately, I leaned on her, needing comfort.

"What's not fair?"

"My dad... my dad is dying," I revealed, and my tears flowed even stronger. As I spoke the words, everything became more real, and I couldn't hold back; my chest hurt so much that I was scaring myself.

Ava hugged me tightly right away, and at that moment, I knew she was bewildered and didn't know what to say. But I didn't care; I just needed that hug and not to feel alone. Ava had been my friend since I could remember; her house was the closest one to the ranch. I slept at her house often; when I didn't, she slept at mine. We were like sisters from other mothers, or so we used to joke.

"My heart hurts, Ava," I sobbed, and my voice began to choke. Ava started rubbing my back and stroking my head.

"Breathe, YN, please," her voice made me realize she was scared. I had only felt like this once before, when I became aware that Mom had left and wasn't coming back, that I meant nothing to her.

Minutes passed in silence, and Ava didn't let go of me for a moment. The light began to fade, and I knew Ava would have to go back because Mrs. Jones would worry if her daughter didn't come home for dinner. Reluctantly, I pulled away from the comfort and looked at her gratefully.

"You should go home; it's getting late."

"No, not until I feel like you're better and decide to go home yourself," she replied firmly, and I smiled at her.

"Can you tell me more about what happened?"

I took a deep breath and told her what little I knew, not exactly remembering the name my father had mentioned. Ava was attentive the whole time, rubbing my arm when she thought I needed it.

"I don't want to go home," I pouted. I didn't want to face reality, but I also felt guilty and selfish. I wanted to be with my dad as much as possible, but on the other hand, I still thought that if I didn't go, none of this would be happening, that Dad would be fine as always.

"You can stay at home," Ava stood up beside me. "Come on, we need to eat something, and you need to rest."

I wasn't sure if I could eat, but the idea of going to the Jones' house was more pleasant than going to the Davis' house right now. As we entered, we were greeted by Shanon Jones with a worried look on her face and a cordless phone in her hand.