A Day in My Life

Meet Aubrey

Blake's POV:

I drove down the road, muttering in anger at Dakota.

I drove in circles for a while until I got bored, so I took the first right I could and then looked up. I was in the mall parking lot. Well, alright.

I looked up at the plethora of Christmas decorations covering the lot. We still had two weeks to go and yet the place was completely decked out, every lamppost wrapped in garland, every building strung in lights. I saw happy people walking in and out of the mall so I decided to get out of the car. I breathed in the cold air, and shivered, it was still pretty early. I pulled my jacket closer and walked inside, wondering aimlessly through stores.

I thought about what Dakota had said to me. 

"You're not my dad Blake." she had yelled. 

No. I know I'm not her dad. But I practically am.

I protected her, like a dad would. 

I practically raised her, like a dad would. 

And I gave up everything for her, like a dad would.

Ever since our parents had died a few years ago, I had been forced into the older position of caretaker. I had been barely 18 when the social workers had come to me saying I could choose to watch my brothers and Dakota or let them go into orphan care. I don't think any of them realized exactly how much I had given up. By choosing them, I gave up a regular high school life, any chance of college, and basically my whole life.  I had even given up my old girlfriend, Aubrey. 

To be fair, it was mostly my fault. After my parents death, I had closed myself off, we all had. I no longer went to parties, or hung out with friends. I no longer did my homework, or participated in class. I eventually decided to just take the GED test and end high school early. And most of all, I gave up... 

"Aubrey?" I asked, looking up from random video game rack to a gorgeous girl with beautiful long blonde hair and glowing blue eyes. 

"Blake? Is that you?" she asked, her eyes lighting up as she came closer.  When I nodded, mouth still open in shock, she came closer smiling, and then wrapped her arms around me. Her small stature made me smile and soon I wrapped my arms back around her. She pulled away, looked up at me, and said "Wow! It's been so long!" 

I thought back to the last time I had seen her.

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She looked up at me with tears in her eyes, and I crossed my arms over my chest.

"Blake, I just want to help you! You have to stop pushing me away!"

I turned away, "You can't help me! We are through, Aubrey! I need to help and protect my siblings now, I can't be worried about you too!" 

She suddenly tightened her eyes and almost crying said "Well. I guess now you won't have to." 

I turned and got into my car with no words, leaving her in the school parking lot on our senior year.

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We had been dating since freshman year and everyone said we were sure to get married someday. I never hated a second with her but once my parents had passed away, I couldn't handle one more responsibility. I broke up with her despite all the help that she offered me. I missed her often but had never worked up the strength to talk to her again. And now here she was in front of me.