What Hurts the Most

Chapter 10 - After You

My dad had bruises on his chest, arms, and abdomen. He never got mad at me for attempting to beat him to death.

I stayed in my room for over a month afterward. I read the texts he sent me over again, the love letters he'd leave me in my locker. Four years worth of romance, gone.

My dad didn't care that I was pregnant. He took it better than I thought he would.

"Yay," he said. "a grandbaby! It's a shame that he won't have a dad, though."

That made me lose it though. It's like he didn't care that he killed my future-husband.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

People at school stared at me. There was an empty seat next to me in homeroom. I believed that his ghost still sat there everyday.

I had to leave class the other day. I started bawling my eyes out when they were passing back papers and announcing the top scores for last week's test.

Mr. Schurman let me leave class. He understood. He knew I missed him. He knew what I was going through. He took me out in the hallway and told me he went through something similar.

"My wife died in a car crash on the way to the hospital," he told me. "Our son, Blake, was having a seizure and she was attempting to make it. She bled to death before anyone could find her."

"I'm so sorry," I sniffed.

"It's alright, Miss McDaniel," he said. He patted me on the back. "Why don't you pack up your things and go home for the day?"

"Okay," I said. I went back to the classroom, got my things, and walked to my locker. I opened it and found a little, pink note in the corner.

Selina,
I love you so much. Ever since I first laid eyes on you, you've had my heart. Ever since that first kiss, I've been so in love with you. I hope we can spend the rest of our lives together.
Happy Birthday, babycakes!

Your Boyfriend,
Jackson

At this point I was bawling. This note was so cute. I don't ever remember reading this except for now. It must have gotten shoved under all my books. I shoved it in my pocket, threw my bag over my shoulder, and went to get a note from Mr. Schurman.