Everything I Didn't Say: The Breakup

The Breakup

Jewel's POV: I just found out that my boyfriend, Casper, has been cheating on me with another woman, and I can't believe it. We've been together for almost a year, and I thought we had a real future together. I even imagined us getting married and starting a family. But today my best friend Alexis told me the truth--that Casper had been seeing someone else while we were dating. The news hit me like a punch to the chest. Heartbroken and overwhelmed, I ran upstairs to my bedroom, tears streaming down my face. My parents must have heard me sobbing, because they came to check on me, but I couldn't even tell them what had happened.

"Sweetheart?" Luke knocked on the door, his voice gentle but firm. "Is everything all right? Could you let me in? " He paused, leaning closer to the wooden frame. " Your mom and I heard the door slam. We're worried. We just want to make sure you're okay." He knocked again, the sound echoing faintly in the quiet hallway.

" Mom, dad, could you come back later?  I need some time alone. " Her voice was soft but firm, muffled slightly by the closed bedroom door. " I don't want to talk about it right now. I just... need some time to myself. "

"I'm not really hungry, either, " she added, her tone growing quieter. " I just want to cuddle with the unicorn you and Mom got me for my birthday. We can talk later, okay? "

"Okay, sweetie, " Sierra said gently from the other side of the bedroom door. " Your father and I will be downstairs in the living room, watching some television. Take all the time you need, and when you're ready to come down and talk, we'll be here. We love you. "

She lingered for a moment, her hand resting lightly on the doorframe, then turned to Luke. Together, they walked down the stairs in silence. Once in the living room, Sierra settled onto the couch, and Luke flipped on the TV, scrolling absently through channels. Though her eyes were on the screen, Sierra's thoughts stayed upstairs, with her daughter.

" Sierra, honey, " Luke began, his brow furrowed with concern. " I sense something is wrong with Jewel. I know she's a teenager, and it's normal for her to get frustrated or upset, but she's never slammed her bedroom door before--unless it's something serious. "

He paused, running a hand through his hair. " I really hope this doesn't have anything to do with her boyfriend, Casper. When he first came over to meet us, I made it clear to him that if he broke Jewel's heart, there would be consequences. He seemed to understand, but honestly, I'm not sure he took me seriously. "

Luke sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Jewel is our little girl. She deserves someone she can trust, someone we can trust too. "

" Luke, I sensed the same thing, " Sierra said, her voice laced with worry. " She's usually so talkative around us, always begging you to play one of your songs. She loves listening to you sing and play guitar. But right now...she's not like that at all. "

Sierra leaned against the armrest, her arms crossed tightly across her chest. "Maybe she got her period or something, but I don't think it's time yet. I don't know. I feel like she might be sad, but I just can't figure out why."

She shook her head, frowning. "Normally, when she's sad, she comes to us and asks us to hug her, to comfort her together but not this time. This time, she just wants to be alone."

"Sierra, your motherly instincts are so strong-and honestly, I think that's amazing," Luke said, his tone warm and steady. " But you have to remember that Jewel is getting older. She's 16 now, a junior in high school, and she's going through so many changes. She's growing into a young lady, and sometimes teenagers just don't want to be bothered by their parents. "

He reached out and gently touched her cheek, his thumb brushing lightly against her skin. " But that doesn't change the fact that she loves us --and we love her. She still needs us, just like we need her."

Sierra closed her eyes for a moment, leaning into his touch. His words, warm and steady, helped ease the worry etched across her face.

"I understand, Luke, " Sierra said softly, her voice tinged with worry. "But I'm afraid. What if she forgets about us? I don't even know why I feel that way, but I do." 

She let out a shaky breath, her eyes drifting toward the family Christmas photo on the wall. "She's growing up so fast, and I already miss the little girl she used to be. Before we know it, she'll be graduating from high school, working a job, falling in love, getting engaged, getting married, and starting a family of her own. "

Sierra paused, her hands clasping tightly together in her lap. " To be honest, as her mother, I can't help but worry about all those things. I just want her to be happy---and to always remember how much we love her. "

"Sierra, calm down. Deep breaths, " Luke said, his voice steady and soothing. " You're thinking too far ahead.  She's still a teenager. She has one more year of high school, and there's so much for her to experience before any of that happens. Let's just live in the present and worry about the future when it comes. "

He reached out, gently holding her hands. " Jewel would never forget us---never. So, please, put that thought out of your mind. She's our precious little girl and always will be, no matter how old she gets. Let's enjoy her teen years, okay?"

Luke leaned in and kissed Sierra softly at first, then with growing passion, as if to remind her how much they had to hold on to. She closed her eyes, leaning into him, her earlier tension melting away in his embrace.

"Mom, Dad," Jewel began as she walked into the kitchen, her voice calm but sincere. "Dad's right. I could never forget the parents who've always taken care of me. You both mean so much to me, and I'd hate myself if I ever forgot you."

She paused at the fridge, grabbing a Gatorade and twisting off the cap. Oh, and Alexis says hi," she added with a small smile." I just got off the phone with her. She wants to come over later to hang out. Is that okay with you?"

Jewel sat down at the kitchen island, glancing between her parents as she took a sip of her drink.

"Hey, sweetheart," Luke said gently to his daughter as she walked into the kitchen. "Are you doing okay?  Your mom and I were worried when we heard your bedroom door slam. You don't usually do that unless something's really bothering you." 

He paused, studying her face. Her eyes were bloodshot, as if she'd been crying, and his chest tightened at the sight. "Normally you don't want to be alone when you're upset," He continued softly. " Do you want to talk about it? If not, that's okay. Just know that your mom and I are here to help. no matter what's going on. "

"Darling, you can tell us anything," Sierra said softly, her voice full of reassurance. " It will stay between us. We won't tell anyone unless you want us to."

She reached out, noticing Jewel's bloodshot eyes, as if she had been crying. "And yes, Alexis can come over later, but let's wait until after dinner, okay?"

Sierra sat beside Jewel, followed by Luke, who moved to her other side. Jewel's tears began to fall again, streaking her cheeks and landing on the kitchen island. Without a word, she turned toward her father, burying her face in his shoulder as sobs wracked her body.

Luke wrapped his arms around her protectively, his hand gently rubbing her back. Sierra scooted closer, joining the hug and resting her hand on Jewel's arm. Together, they held her, letting her cry, their quiet presence offering comfort she didn't need to put into words.

" Princess, what's the matter? " Luke asked, taken aback by his daughter's sudden outburst. "Calm down and talk to us. Why are you so upset? " His voice softened as he felt her tears soak the shoulder of his shirt. " Deep breaths, sweetie. Calm down. "

Sierra broke the hug and hurried to the linen closet, returning with a box of tissues. She set it on the kitchen island and gently rubbed her daughter's back. The little girl's cries filled the room, raw and unrelenting, as both parents tried to comfort her.