Unraveling Who We Are

34: Light in the Dark

Gracen's view

I tried to get ready as fast as I could since I was already late for the dinner with my girlfriend and friends.

Just as I was about to park this jerk stole my spot. He got out as if he didn't see me and walked off with his girl. Wow, that bastard couldn't even acknowledge me, some people really suck.

So I finally get another parking spot and rush in the restaurant. I see Emery and pull her I'm for a hug then greet all our friends. Soon after we finish the delicious foods and ask for the bill. However, the waiter takes forever, so we all nominate Emery to go ask the bartender where he is. I turn back around to talk with Jordie, and then a loud crash catches my attention. Before I can turn around, Aiden has already gotten up and sprinted in the direction.

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Emery's view

Of course, I'm the one nominated to go complain. Great. So I go up to the bartender, before I can ask someone interrupts asking for another beer. For some strange reason, the voice is familiar, so I turn.

I stand face to face with my father and I'm in complete shock. But a accidently slip out a word,

"Dad?"

Next thing I know he turns to me and his smile fades. His expression turns to pure hate. I barely have a chance to comprehend what is happening before a feel a slap across my face which knocks me back from the mere shock. Of course, there was nothing but a chair behind me and I trip over it and hit my left side hard on the ground.

I hold in my cry of pain as I try to get up. Then I'm face to face with my father again with the same cold expression.

"You should have stayed on the ground where you belong. You're nothing, you know. Just a stupid kid that ruined my life"

His words felt like a jab to my heart, but his last sentence angered me so much.

"I ruined your life? Right, me? Whose choice was it to have an affair?" I countered.

"You're little spoiled brat. I'll shut the back mouthing mouth of yours," he said getting closer to me.

But he stopped because Aiden punched him in the face and my dad went tumbling down probably because he was drunk again.

"Every bad thing is your fault Emery. Don't you understand you destroy everything?"

I starting tearing up because his words hurt, but I realized something before I turned away.

"No, no. I will not be blamed for your stupid mistakes. You chose this. You did. So stop saying it's my fault. Stop making me feel horrible, because you should feel bad. You cheated on mom and then you tried to guilt me into not telling her. I did the right thing by telling truth. I did everything right, but it doesn't that feel like that and it's because of you."

Hey chuckled before coldly saying, "Yet you're the one feeling bad. Maybe instead of the little weasel of a friend you had, you should have died in the car crash. Would have made things easier,"

I had to hold back Aiden because he tried to punch my dad again. I know how protective he is and technically I didn't have to hold him back. But that wouldn't be moral or smart of me. I can't get Aiden in trouble and I need to face this on my own. So I pulled Aiden back and pushed him behind me, before saying

"You're sick. Maybe instead of wishing I died you should wish that you hadn't been drunk and angry with me when driving the godamn car..... I hate you so much. And it pains me because I shouldn't be okay to have so much hate in me. You're my dad and I shouldn't hate you, but I do. I hate myself now, because I'm torn between loving you and hating you. And I don't understand how you can be perfectly okay with your hatred and after everything that has happened.....but now I know that I shouldn't beat myself up for something that someone else did. I'm done, you hear dad. I will always love you because you're my father, but I don't know who you are anymore and I will not let this break me down anymore."

I tried to stop the tears and raised my head up high. I had to be strong and leave without looking back. I am stronger and better than this. I deserve better. And I will fight for something better than just being stuck between this sorrow and pain. I deserve to strive for something in life and I will now. I can finally move forward with everything. I'm free.