(This does get intense, if you want too skip it please do so...)
Julie's POV
The drive home feels like a dream... sitting next to him holding his hand in my lap, I start remembering bits and bits of what happened last night and I look at him smiling, feeling happy... and for the first time in a long time... I feel like that's okay...
As we turn into my street I get an uneasy feeling in my stomach, could just because I drank to much last night and have a hang over so I shake it off I see Flynn asleep in the backseat and smile and then look at Luke "Take her home for me yeah?.."
"Of course." I steal a kiss from him and smile still not thinking it's real... "I'll face time you later tonight..." I say and look up and down at him he slowly moves his hand right beside my breast sort of under my armpit but still reaching for them I look down and look at him again
"Just in case, I'm going to buy a pregnancy test... I just want too be safe... Incase I miss my period here coming up..." his facial expressions change and he just nods
I couldn't help but notice his light rub where his hand is "Luke..." I kiss him and slowly move over onto his lap "Just be quiet, Flynn's right there..." he nods and I'm high up enough that he moves to kiss my breast and goes up my neck
"I'm going to miss you..." he trails over to the other one and kiss up my neck as well "I'm going to miss you too..."
I grab his cheeks bringing them up too kiss him a million times "I have to go in... if I feel up to it maybe I'll come over to your house after while..." his eyes lit up and smiles
"Pleaseeee." He smiles more begging "I'll text you if I do."
He nods and kisses me back and i smile at him "I'll see you later." I said getting out of the car
As I get out I get that uneasy feeling again, like the one when we pulled in here, maybe I just need food and water... and maybe a nap, everything will be fine.
Except it's not....
The front door is slightly ajar, a silver of darkness cutting through the afternoon light. I pause, my hand hovering the doorknob, the house is quiet— too quiet, I thought Carlos was home... or normally dad would be getting coffee ready, and flipping through the tv channels, except... there's nothing. It's just silent
"Dad?" I call out as I step inside, my voice echoing in the stillness. No answer. My heart skips a beat, a familiar dread creeping up my spine. I push the door open wider, stepping into the living room.
And there he is, slumped on the couch, empty bottles of beer everywhere and even in his hand. The Tv is on, but muted, the flickering light casting harsh shadows across his face, his eyes are half closed, his head lolling to one side
"Dad?" I tried again, softer this time. He doesn't respond, just mumbles something incoherent under his breath. The stench of alcohol hangs heavy in the air, making my stomach churn.
I inch closer, hoping to gauge his mood before he fully wakes up. Maybe I can get him to go to bed; sleep it off. Before anything gets worse. But before I reach my arm out his eyes snatch open and I jump, his eyes bloodshot and glassy
"Julie." He slurs, his voice thick with drink "You're home."
"Yeah, I'm home." I say gently, trying to keep my voice steady. "You should get some rest, Dad. You don't look so good..."
He chuckles, but there's no humor in it. It's bitter, hollow sound that sends a shiver down my spine. "Rest? What good is rest? Huh? It doesn't change anything. Doesn't bring her back."
My heart clenches at the mention of her. Mom. The one name we've both avoided for so long, that wound that's never healed. I want to comfort him, tell him it's okay, that we'll get through this together. But I know better, I've tried before... but it always end up the same...
"Dad, please..." I say, taking a step back "let's just—"
"Don't tell me what to do!" He snaps, his voice rising. He struggles to sit up, the bottle slipping through his hand and crashes onto the floor "you think you know everything, don't you, just like her."
"Dad, that's not—"
"She's gone because of you!" He shouts, his face twisted in anger "you were supposed to be watching her that day! But no, you had to go run off with your friends! Leave her alone!"
The accusations hit me hard like a punch to the gut, knocking the breath out of me.. I've replayed that day, over and over again.. in my head, torturing myself about the what-ifs and could-have-beens. But hearing it from him, the one person I tried so hard to protect from the truth— it's unbearable....
Tears sting in my eyes, but I don't let them "Dad, that's not... I didn't..."
"You did!" He yells, staggering to his feet. He's unsteady, swaying on the spot, but the fury in his eyes is all too clear. "It's your fault she's gone! It's your fault our lives are a MESS!"
I take another step back, my hands trembling, I want too run but I'm frozen in place its like my feet are glued to the floor
"Dad, please, you're not thinking straight—"
His hand lashes out before I can react, grabbing my arm with a force that makes me flinch "don't tell me what I'm thinking!" He snarls, slapping me again, and his grip tightened "you don't know anything, Julie. You're just selfish, stupid girl."
"Stop!" I cry out, trying to pull away... where's Carlos... but his hold is like iron. Panic rises in my chest, the room spinning around me. This is worse than before, he's never been this angry... this violent... I don't know what to do, how to make it stop...
"Get out of my sight..." he growls, finally releasing me with a shove that sends me stumbling back. I catch myself on the couch, my heart pounding in my ears "I want you out of my sight."
For a moment I couldn't move I couldn't breathe all I could do is look up at him... the words hang in the air around us, cutting deeper than any physical blow. But then, something inside me snaps and I turn on me heel and run upstairs
I race upstairs, slamming my bedroom door shut behind me and locking it. I don't think I just pack everything that I can think of and climb out my bedroom window...
