The Swift-Styles Family (Book II)

6 - More Tears

Tessa's POV

When my mom slapped me I was very shocked. Too shocked that I couldn't even raise my hand to retaliate, which is the thing I always do when it comes to situations like that. I thought to myself, what have I done that bad to receive such a slap?

Oh I know, because I am a bitch and she has been waiting her whole life for the right time to strike me. Right. I get it.

I'm now running out of the house, going wherever my feet take me. I hear Harry and Thomas behind me, trying to catch up but I always do excessive morning runs, so my stamina is way better than theirs. I keep running while the lump in my throat keeps getting bigger, it's hard for me to even swallow my own spit. After a while, I finally stop because my feet hurts. I look down to see my own self wearing high heels. Did I just run in that? I silently laugh as I realize Harry and Thomas cannot even catch me even though I'm running in heels. The evil laugh abruptly stops as the sadness comes waving back in.

Tears roll down my cheeks and spill onto the concrete pavement. I slip off the heels in the middle of the sidewalk then kick them towards the road. A few seconds after, a car drives down, passing by so fast I don't think the driver even sees the heels that are lying lifelessly. The car drives over the heels, creating a loud crunch sound as the heels face its own death.

Taylor's favorite heels have been destroyed.

I find it quite satisfying that they are destroyed now, feeling only a bare hint of guilt and pity.

Harry and Thomas finally catch up, and they pull me in for a hug. I really want to be alone right now but the running has released a little bit of my tension and I feel quite comfortable in their arms.

' Tessa... don't. Ever. Run. This. Far. Again ', Harry was breathing heavily, probably tired. Thomas releases the hug and wipes my tears away. Harry kisses the top of my head and finally let go of me.

' What's that? ', Thomas asks, pointing to the middle of the road. I just shrug. ' That's trash ', I assure him, because he starts mumbling about it looking like a squashed squirrel.

' Do you want to go back? I mean, I know you're still mad at Taylor, but let's just go. You don't have to talk to her or anything. It's very cold out here ', Harry stares into my eyes. I sigh, giving up my plan to stay out here longer because it is pretty cold. My feet have gone very numb. Well, I am barefoot in the middle of winter, duh.

I nod at Harry, agreeing. All of us head back to the party without rushing, as if all the time in the world is ours. After taking a few steps, my feet begin to give up. ' Harry can I ride on your back? My feet can't take it anymore ', I ask. He just laughs and says okay. I jump onto his back, enjoying every second of it because it has been a long time since I've had piggyback rides.

As soon as we arrive at my grandparents', I notice that the house's porch isn't full of cars anymore. Maybe the guests have left, I thought.

' Oh, thank goodness you guys are back ', Andrea cries and rushes towards us. I hop down from Harry's back and look at her questioningly.

' Taylor's unconscious. Everyone's at the hospital ', Andrea explains. Her eyes gleamed with tears but she is a strong woman. She pretends like she's okay. I hug her instantly and apologized repeatedly.

' Everything's my fault. It is all my fault ', I cry. Andrea rubs my back. ' No, Tessa. I know for sure that you're not the reason why ', Andrea assures me a few times before finally letting go of me. She wipes my tears and smile faintly.

Harry drives fast to the hospital while I keep myself quiet throughout the whole journey. Even though it takes only 6 minutes to get to the hospital, it really feels like forever.