Rescued Ruins

Apology

"Well, this has been really nice, but I have to go. The sun's almost up, " Ash whispers getting up from the couch.

I don't want him to go but it's probably for the best. I know my dad will make a scene if he gets here and there's a boy he doesn't know about in his house. Although he hardly shows affection, he's always had this weird over-protectiveness towards me. I guess there was a caring father part of him deep inside he just had trouble showing it.

"Oh, okay, let me show you out," I reply softly, getting off my couch.

I stand at the door, waving goodbye as he walks along the path to my gate. When he gets to the gate I remember I'm wearing his sweater.

I don't want to give it back but, "Ashton! " I call.

He turns to me, his eyebrows raised in question.

"You're sweater, " I say beginning to pull it off.

"It's fine, " he says smiling, " I can get it from you later. Anyway you wear it better than I do." he smirks, causing me to blush silly.

"Okay, " I giggle, glad he didn't take the sweater. " Bye Ashton, " I wave again.

"Goodbye Abi!" he calls as he retreats.

I close the door moving back to the lounge. I flop on the couch suddenly realising how tired I am. I grab my iPod placing the earphones in my ears deciding on a little nap as I open my "favourites" playlist and let Ed Sheeran's voice sing me to sleep.

. . . .

I wake up 5 hours later. My iPod dead. I grab my charger off the floor an plug the device in. With a little stretch I get up and walk to the kitchen to grab an apple and a glass if water.

My dad's in the kitchen.

Cooking?

Wow! He's gone all out. Bacon, eggs and strawberry pancakes decked out on the wooden kitchen table. I must say, I'm impressed.

"Morning dad, " I greet, grabbing a glass out of the cupboard.

"Morning sweet cheeks, " he smiles.

Sweet cheeks?

He hasn't called me that for years. What's going on?

"You hungry? I made breakfast, " he asks, stating the obvious. I roll my eyes slightly.

"Famished."

"Good, I need to talk to you."

I sit down at the table and take a sip of my water. Talk to me?

"About what?" I ask, confused.

"Just let me finish honey," he says, crouching to grab some plates out the bottom cupboard. Honey? This is getting weirder by the minute.

"Uhm, okay ..."

He looks nervous as he places a plate full of food infront of me, pouring me a glass of orange juice. The food looks and smells so good. He sits adjacent to me at the table and takes a deep breath, preparing himself for our "talk".

" I'm sorry Abi, " he says.

" Um ... for? "

" Mom. Being a bad parent. Everything. "

I'm speechless. He's apologising? What is happening?

" I know I made life hard on both of you guys. That's the reason your mom left and I'm sorry. I've never been good at expressing my emotions. I grew up in a messed up and unloving home, my dad beat my mom, " his voice breaks but he isn't crying, " And she left him. Left me with him and I became his next victim. I became depressed and scared until I met your mom, she was the only person I actually ever loved she'd been my anchor all those years ago. Now she's gone. I always thought we wouldn't last. She was always too perfect for me, but she loved me nonetheless. Despite my multiple imperfections, despite my hot temper. Slowly I turned into my father and I hurt her more than anyone else. Now she's left just like my mother left my dad. And I just realised, through all of this I never thought about you. I don't want you to grow up broken like me. So I'm gonna get myself fixed. I'm gonna go for therapy and become a better person. I'm gonna show you love. Like I hoped my father could've all those years ago. I am going to be a real father you Abi. You deserve it."

I don't know what to say. He sounds so sad, speaking about his past. I can't help but feel sorry for him. I will help him, I decide because he's my father and although I hated him. I feel I love him so much more in this moment. He needs the support so I'll give it him

" I know I can't blame my father or mother for my actions and I'm not. We all have choices and I take full responsibility of the ones I have made. I'm prepared to turn the bad choices I've made into good ones. And I know you might have reservations about all this and I'm pretty sure you hate me. But I'm ready to change and I will change. I will not do what my father did to me, not to you," he continues when I don't reply.

"I don't hate you, "

" Yes you do. I don't blame you for it, " he says sadly.

I give him a hug, " I'll learn to love you again. Just promise me one thing."

"Anything."

"You won't find another women, you'll win mom back."

"I could never dream of it. But I don't think she'll ever forgive me."

" We learn to forgive the mistakes of those we love. And mom definitely loves you dad. She would've left alot sooner if she didn't, " I reassure him.

This was unexpected, nice. I could feel the anger that filled and hurt my heart slowly begin to falter. Maybe I could forgive him with time.

. . . .

Up in my room, I'm on my bed subconsciously playing Lego House on my guitar. Ed Sheeran's truly a blessing to man. His voice, his lyrics, his eyes. Everything! I grab my phone and check the time.

14:45

Wow I'm really good at wasting time doing absolutely nothing.

I run down stairs to make a sandwich. Hesitantly popping into my dad's study to ask if he wants one too.

"Yeah sure, " he replies. He looks at me, his eyebrows knitting together in confusion.

What the hell?

"Who's sweater are you wearing?" he asks.

I look down at the big floppy grey sweater I'm wearing. Oh right the sweater. Ugh!

"Um ... a friends. " I say.

He looks at me, his eyes narrowing, "Oh, alright then. "

Thank heavens.

I'm in the kitchen when I here my phone ring. I ignore it, too lazy to run all the way up stairs. It was probably mom anyway. She'd been calling me alot since she left. I never answered.

"Thanks, " dad smiles as I place the plate on his table. This will take a whole lot of getting used to, I think as I leave his study.

I place my small plate on my desk. Picking my phone up off the bed. To my surprise it was not my mother calling but Ashton. Who's number I don't remember saving. He must've saved it himself while I was down stairs "making" pizza. I call him back. It rings twice before he answers.

"Hey!" I can sense the smile on his face, " I kinda stole your number last night. I mean this morning. I hope you don't mind. I also saved my own number on your phone so you don't get weirded out. "

I laugh, " Um, thank you for that. I wouldn't have called you if you hadn't. So, good thinking! " I mock, rolling my eyes.

"So, I'm at the park. Was just wondering if you'd like to get down here. I have something to show you, " he whispers the last part like whatever he's going to show me is an exclusive secret no one else should know about.

"Yeah sure I'll be there in about ten minutes."

"Okay sure, see you then."

I pull my pants off. Opting for a pair of shorts instead. I keep his sweater on though. I run down the stairs. Pulling my iPod out the charger on my way out.

"Where are you off to, young lady?" I hear my dad call from his study. I roll my eyes, since when does he care where I go? Since he's decided to change, my subconscious reminds me. I didn't like this part of the "change ".

"Just going to the park dad!" I call back and run out the door, slamming it behind me.

AN: Hello fellow wattpaders (= hope you're enjoying reading this junk. Thanks for reading and stuff. Ily..

I kinda lost the rest of my book, so it'll be a while ✌..
x x Ana