When (he)arts Prevail

7

Kaylee was not in the mood for idle conversation with her father, so most of their forty-minute drive back to Huntington Beach was made in silence.

Kaylee brought out her phone and clicked on WhatsApp, Brian's message early this morning popping out on the top of the list. She clicked on it, re-reading:

"Call me later if you need to vent or just hang out. I've got the most greasy snacks and a ton of wine"

And then on a new message, he had sent a white heart.

Kaylee had sent two back this morning, knowing she wasn't the only one grieving today.

She went back on the list of messages and opened the one with Sebastian. He had not called or texted her today and that made her chest tighten a little, more in anger than in sadness if she was honest with herself. It was nothing she wasn't expecting and that pissed her off even more. 

Sebastian and Kaylee were dating for six months now, probably the longest relationship Kaylee had managed in the last years.

Despite feeling like crushing her phone in her hands, she dialed his number and put the phone to her ear. Kaylee's father threw her a sideways glance, raising an eyebrow in question.Kaylee mouthed Sebastian's name and her father nodded, his eyes turning back to the road ahead.

Yet, after five dials Sebastian did not pick up. Kaylee let out a frustrated sigh, hanging up, and prepared a message for him saying, "Can I come over later?". She hit send and dropped the phone in her lap, lifting a hand to her head, already sensing an headache approaching. She leaned against the window, staring outside. The traffic was starting to intensify at this hour, but if no accidents happened, it would be a smooth drive.

Kaylee's father increased the volume on the radio a little bit and she was grateful for it, the music acting as a natural soother.

By the time Kaylee's father stopped at Kaylee's new apartment, Sebastian had still not replied to her text, nor had he called back, so Kaylee told herself she was done with him. For good. It might seem a little dramatic, if not for the million times Sebastian had let her down before.

"Thanks for the ride, Dad," Kaylee said, climbing down from her seat.

"Please, at least call your mom."

At the pleading face, Kaylee let out a small sigh and nodded. "I will, I promise."

"Thank you. And Kaylee?" He said just as she was shutting the door. Kaylee stopped, looking at her father, door still in her hand. "Don't forget we're here. I'm here. You don't need to face anything alone."

The smile that curved the corners of Kaylee's lips, despite small, was honest. "I'm fine, Dad. I swear."

Kaylee knew he didn't buy her lie. Of course he wouldn't. And he was right not to.

However, Kaylee could not cope with her parents' grief and would not add to it. She had to be okay for them, yet on days like these she did not have the strength to do so, so she just stayed away.

"I'll call mom," Kaylee said as a way of goodbye and closed the door. She walked up the steps to her apartment and waved one last time to her father, who waited until she was inside and safe before taking off.

As soon as she was home, Kaylee placed her bag in the hall and went straight to her bedroom to change for more comfortable clothes.

She texted Brian:

"How greasy are your snacks really?"