Reverse - h.g

16 | Accepting Colleen

Tayler

I kept running until I couldn't run anymore. I stopped running & fell back on a patch of grass. I didn't know where I was but all I know is that I was far from home.

I regulated my breathing as I stared at the night sky. The dark canvas was full of stars.

My eyes started to blur & that's when I started to cry. I wiped the tears off my face with my sweater sleeve but it didn't seem to work. I then saw headlights & sat up. It was Colleen's car. I stood up as she stopped & got out of the car. That's when I turned around & started walking fast.

"Wait Tayler," she urged me.

"What do you want," I growled as I faced her, "I don't want you here. I want Hayes here. Or at least my mom. You're not my mom & you'll never be."

"Hayes wanted to chase after you but I told him I'll go. The kid puts up a fight. He really loves you," she smiled.

"Go away. You're not my mom," I sat on the grass & looked towards the moon, my back to her.

"I know I'm not your mom but I can promise you one thing. I love your dad more than ever," she sat next to me, "& I know that whenever you guys fight, I'll try my best to help you win. Because even though your dad is my love, I know what it's like to be a teenage girl," she put her arm on my shoulder.

"You'll never understand me. Only my mom can. My dad has been trying to do that for years," I sighed.

"Believe me Tayler I understand you. In fact, I don't see why your dad disapproved of you & Hayes dating. He's a good boy & I see the way he makes you happy. That's the way your dad makes me happy," she smiled.

"Yeah I know. It's just..." I paused.

"What?" she asked.

"It's hard to see my dad with someone who isn't my mom. Plus I'm scared you're gonna change him. He's bad enough already, I don't want it to be worse," I wrapped my arms around my knees.

"Honey, I won't change him. In fact, I'm trying to make him understand you better," she punched me in the arm softly.

"Really?" I sniffed.

"Yeah. He always blabs on about how you're still his little girl & he doesn't want you in the real world yet. I always tell him maybe it's about time he let you fly," she smiled. I smiled too because I liked what she said.

"Thanks Colleen. You're a really great woman & you've got my approval," I smiled.

"Aww honey," she smiled & hugged me, "let's go back to your house," she insisted. We stood up & walked to her car.

"Oh Tayler & by the way," she spoke.

"Yeah?" I answered.

"All those times you snuck out to go on a date with Hayes, I knew. I just covered you because well, like I said, I understand," she smirked.

I chuckled in embarrassment & looked up, "Oh my God, how did you know!"

"Locks & tracks. Try use different methods next time," she chuckled.