Her Princess Charming

Save Me

'What time is it?' My mom asked me the moment I stepped on our front door. Both hands were on here hips and with that I could tell that this is bad news.

'Six.' I looked down.

'Where have you been? Again. You've been coming home late for the past days.' She was damn serious.

'The old house.' I muttered.

'The old house? What are you doing there?' She was growing impatient I could tell.

'I just miss home.'

'Isnt this home for you?' She said pointing a finger on the floor.

'No. It isnt mom. Home was when we were still whole. This is just a house for me.. Do you even know when Im hurting? Or when I had a bad day? I feel like a ghost in this place..' I said with so much contempt and bitterness in my surprisingly calm voice.

'You know that isnt true. You've been like that since you lost Allen. I gave you space and time alone because you needed it. That's what mothers do. I've been there too.' She said.

'It's not about Allen! It's about this stupid family!'

Her eyes widened with anger and shock. 'You know how much I dont want all this to happen. Im not gonna let your father gain custody on your brother.'

'What if he does?'

'No. Never!'

'Mom Im so tired of this mess.' I cried. 'I just wanted everything to get better.'

'Then help me! Because I cannot do everything on my own.'

I just fell silent. So I wasnt the only one waiting for her to help me, she, too, was waiting for me to help her.

I thought about that conversation I had with the cab driver. It made me feel guilt running through my veins. I couldnt hold it in any longer.

'Mom, Im.. Im inlove with a girl.'

'WHAT?!' She yelled and placed a hand on her forehead. Hey eyes searching for answers.

'Yes mom. I am inlove with my bestfriend.' I looked away.

'What is wrong with you?!' She yelled.

'I dont know, mom. Maybe I dont want to end up like you.' I didnt know why I said it out loud.

She started to cry. I just ran up to my room.

I packed my stuff and ran away. I was scared was but free. Atleast that's what I told myself.

-

As I was on my way looking for a cab with no definite place in mind, my phone rang. It was Juliana.

'God. Im glad you called. I--'

'Lyss, it's Catherine.' Juliana's mom. What happened again? Ugh!

'What's wrong?' My heartbeat was so out of control.

'She's in the hospital again..' She sobbed.

-

'What exactly is wrong with her heart?' I asked her while she sat and leaned on the wall behind her. Her eyes were swollen from crying I suppose. I stared at Juliana who was sleeping peacefully.

'Coronary Heart disease.' She said. I knew its not something to disregard. I had aneurysm, she had coronary heart disease. Life sucks sometimes.

'God..' I stifled my sobs.

'Why do you have bags with you?' She asked softly eyeing my stuff.

'I ran away from the house ma'am.' She was shocked.

'I fought with my mom again. My dad had a petition for custody over my youngest brother. Everything is so messed up at home.. And..' I didnt want to tell her about the main reason that I ran away.

I couldnt tell her that I was inlove with her daughter.

'And? You can tell me everything.. Besides I treat you like my daughter too..' She said. I didnt want her to hate me. She might push me away and prevent us from seeing each other again. I didnt want that obviously.

'Lyss. I know about it..' She whispered.

Know what?? I was shocked and I couldnt say anything.

'I know that you and my daughter are more than what you wanted us to believe. Bestfriends.' She held my hand. 'I see how you look at each other. I know how much you make her happy. I didnt see her so happy before. Well, not before Abby died. Only now that you came. So dont be scared to tell me. It's okay.. I would still accept you. If youre the only thing that would make her hold on, I wouldnt go against it. I couldnt lose another child.'  

I couldnt bring myself to say a single word. I was mute for what seemed like eternity but my tears were like rainstorm, it wouldnt stop.

She placed an arm around me and I kept thanking her. It was the acceptance that my mother had deprived me of.

'Mom?' Juliana was already awake and we scrambled from our seats just to be beside her. We held both her hands, her mom on her left, I was on her right.

'How are you?' I asked as I wiped my tears with my free hand.

'Im good.' She said with a sleepy smile. I knew she wasnt.

'How's your sleep? Do you need anything? Do you need water?' Her mom asked. She nodded and her mother went to get a cup and fill it with water.

While she was drinking, a tall man with the same nose as hers walked in. I supposed it was her father. 'Juliana!' He said and walked towards her to hold her hand. I moved away awkwardly.

'Ohh.. Im sorry I had a sudden meeting I wasnt able to go here right away.' He apologized with worried eyes and place a kiss on Juliana's forehead.

Is the meeting more important than his daughter? Ugh.

'You had a sudden meeting? You chose the meeting over your daughter?' Her mom's voice was filled with dismay and anger.

'I had no choice!' His father said.

'Mom, dad. Stop it.' Juliana said weakly.

'Im sorry.' Her mother sat down beside her.

It was ironic. Juliana was already in the hospital and still, it didnt stop them from arguing. It didnt stop them from doing what sent her here.

'Good evening, sir.' I coughed awkwardly.

'She's my bestfriend dad. Her name is Lyss.' Juliana said.

'Lyss.' He nodded and smiled at me, a smile that didnt quite reach his eyes. It gave me the impression that he didnt know anything about his daughter and me so I just kept my mouth shut and smiled back.

Suddenly, his phone rang. He got it from his pocket and raised a finger as he answered it.

'Yes, hello?'

'What? A meeting again?'

'No.'

'I couldnt go.'

'Im sorry. My daughter needs me.'

Then he placed his phone back to his pocket and smiled at Juliana. I could see Juliana and her mom was happy because of that.

I was jealous all of a sudden. I felt pity for myself. Even if they werent a perfect family, they were able to fix the seams somehow. It made me think about mine. We were already torn and shattered and we still keep breaking even after everything was already out of place.

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