Blame's On Me {H.S x You) Book 2

seventeen: party of the year

Chatter. Laughs. Music. It all fills the air. It's been a couple hours since the party started. I had to step away. It was... a lot. Everyone was having a good time. Everyone was nice. It was just a lot. I needed some fresh air, some time to just chill a second.

"Well, well, well if it isn't my little cancer free superstar," I hear from behind me. I turn my head and lock eyes with my mother. I smile lightly as she walks over and sits down beside me on the back porch. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired but happy," I respond. "Dad here?"

"Yeah, he's on his way. He had a surgery but he's coming," she smiles and places her hand on my hand that's rested in my lap. "I got the invitation for the wedding."

"Yeah? You coming?" I ask, meeting her eyes. She smiles and nods.

"I wouldn't miss it for a thing. Plus, I'm really fond of Hailee. I was just talking to her actually," my mother informs me, and my eyes go wide. A slight chuckle escapes her lips. "Nothing bad dear. We did talk about you. She's head over heels in love with you."

"Really?"

My mother nods, keeping a smile on her lips. It's the most I've ever seen her smile. Or even happy in general.

"The way she lights up when you're mentioned or when she's talking about you. The way she looks for you in every room she walks into. She's in love dear. Cherish that."

"Wow, I think that's the first I've ever heard something like that from you," I say easily and my mother nods, squeezing my hand.

"Me and your father have some growing up to do. We should've been there for you when you were growing up but we're trying now. We'll always be here. And we will be at your wedding. I know we weren't there for you and Nova's. I sincerely apologize on behalf of your father and I. But we'll be at yours and Hailee's."

"I appreciate that mom."

She squeezes my hand again, before loosely letting go and looking out into the back yard.

"Oh, I have to talk to your aunt about those beautiful flowers she grows in the spring. I'll see you around dear," my mother swiftly says and places a kiss on the side of my head. I chuckle and she gets up leaving me to myself again. I glance down to my hands, fumbling with my thumbs. The attention this evening has been crazy. Everybody and their mom were here it felt like. Family members I haven't seen in ages here. Mom and dad. Aunt Penny and Penny with a few relatives on Aunt May's side that I was somewhat close to growing up were here. A few people I knew that knew Uncle Wyatt was here. Friends were here from over the years. People's spouses and few kids. At most like 5. Penny being one of them. It was mostly 20-year-olds and above. J.J, Mika and Gwen were here. J. J's boyfriend couldn't make it, and neither could Mika's. Gwen though, dating a football player. Josh Allen.

A low sigh escapes my lips as I push myself up from sitting. I get to my feet and shove my hands into my pockets as I make my way back into the house. The music and chatter rising back up again, filling my ears immediately. My eyes roam the room. People crowding around. Some in groups, some one on one. Some just chilling alone. But there's only one person my eyes are looking for. My safe haven. My person.

I stand up on my tippy toes briefly, trying to spot out the girl. My eyes looking at almost every single person. But I couldn't spot her. I clench my jaw and start walking, heading towards the stairs. I glance about making sure Aunt May doesn't spot me heading up. The upstairs was off limits to everybody. She said if she caught me going up that there'd be consequences just like how it used to be growing up. Of course, when she said it, it made me laugh but then she had that serious, don't play with me face on and I immediately shut up.