Coming Home

Chapter 20, Catching Up

A few weeks have gone by since the crash. Jake and Jenny had to skip town. Peyton was left behind, heart broken. Haley and Nathan got back together officially. It's been pretty crazy lately and a lot has been going on. Jake leaving Peyton has been really hard on her. I can tell he took a piece of her heart with him, and another for Jenny. She got really attached to them both.. and pretty quickly. I don't know what all I can do for her. Just trying is as best as I can do. I've gotten really close to Karen. She is such a great woman and amazing mom. Keith feels horrible about the accident and his business is going out. I wish there were something that I could do to help him out as well. Also wish he didn't have a brother that was such a piece of shit but oh well, what are you going to do. I've been thinking a lot lately about Paisley. The life that I could've had with my daughter. The life I should've had. My family had always been so screwed up. My father took of, mother was an alcoholic, didn't have any close relations. My boyfriend was abusive. Not ever physically, just verbally.. well until I became pregnant. For whatever reason, the one thing that gave me complete happiness sent him over the edge. He physically beat the life out of me, but took more from my spirit. That relationship was toxic from the start, I was in doubt because I just didn't want to be alone. My father payed the medical bills from when he beat me, but didn't call one time. Did not try to visit even though I was there for a week. I don't understand why things are changing now. All of a sudden, when my life is changing for the better my father wants to meet with me. Talk to me. I have no clue what about and quite frankly couldn't give two shits less. I've got Lucas now. I'm with my true family, Peyton. I miss Paisley more every day. It's gotten a bit harder since I saw her. Today I'm going to go hang out with Brooke after school. I'm helping her with our cheerleading routine. I take a shower and do my hair.

*knock knock*
"Coming!" I yell as I frantically gather all of my things before opening the door. I'm missing something..
Binder : ✔️
Books : ✔️
Notebook : ✔️
Folders : ✔️
Assignment Book : ✔️
Phone : ✔️
What am I missing? Oh, duhhh ! My uniform.

I see it on the counter and open the door to Lucas. "Hi babyyyy," I say jumping up to hug him. "Hello beautiful," he says before kissing my forehead and pulling me into his arms. "Come in here real quick, I have to grab my uniform."
"Okay take your time."
I put my uniform in my bag. I check my phone. Three missed calls from an unknown number. Lucas must've seen the puzzled look on my face because he walked over to me. "What is it Kiers?"
"I'm not sure."
The phone rings again. "Hello?" I answer.
"Kierston?!"
"Yes.. who am I speaking to?"
"Oh my god you sound so grown up."
"Who the hell is this?!"
"It's David."
"I'll talk to you later, I have to get to school."
"No please don't. I wa-" I cut him off and hurry to hang up the phone.
Lucas looks at me, "who's David?"
"A poor ass excuse for a father. Now come on, we are going to be late." I take his arm and drag him out of the door.
•• after school ••
"Kierston, hey! Okay so we need to get started, I've been thinking we could do this routine or,"
My phone starts going off again. "Oh my god , not now!"
"Do you need to take that call?"
"No, I definitely do not." I shut off my phone.
"Okay good."
"So what do you have so far?"
She shows me what she's got for the half time routine. I watch and give her feedback, also giving her ideas about what we could add. We worked together on what needed fixed and we were able to finish by 7:00 pm.
"Nice job today Kierston, we did really well working together. The girls are going to love this! But hey, now you can take that phone call."
Oh crap. I totally forgot about that. I let my head drop back and roll my eyes. "I am definitely not looking forward to this."
She looks at me, "well who is it that's calling you?"
"That would be the man who ran out on me as a kid."
"Your dad is trying to get ahold of you?!"
"Sadly. I don't see why now. After all these years, I really don't get it. I'm finally happy."
"Well you never know, there could be a really good reason. It could possibly make you happier, I don't know. All I know is, if my dad were to actually reach out for me I'd listen. Just give him a chance Kiers."
"You're right. Ugh, okay fine." I groan. "Alright, in going to go take a shower and call him." I hug her. "Goodbye Brooke Davis, I'll see you tomorrow," I say with a smile.
"Good luck with everything. Bye Kierston."
••An hour later••
I finally get out of the shower and lay down in my bed. It's been such a stressful day and it's not even over yet. I still have to call him. Great. Okay whatever, let's get this over with.
"Kierston?"
"Hello."
"Why haven't you answered all day?"
"I was busy with cheer."
"You're a cheerleader?"
"Yes. Do you have a problem?"
"No. I just don't know much about you anymore."
"You don't know me at all! Why are you calling me know? All of a sudden when I'm happy , you decide to come back into my life. Do you and mom have a plan to always make sure that I'm not happy?"
"Kierston, stop. Please hear me out."
I hear the pain and regret in his voice. I feel bad because what I said hurt him. Then again, I've hurt much worse than that all the years he's been gone.
"I will hear you out. Just not tonight. I'm too exhausted."
"Okay well then get some rest. Goodnight Kierston."
"Goodnight."
I call Lucas after.
"Hey beautiful."
"Hi Luc."
"Are you okay? You sound kind of distraught."
"I just talked to David again."
"You did? For how long?"
"Not very. He wants to talk and I can tell it's about him leaving, I told him I wasn't ready for that though. He respected that."
"Well that's good. Are you alright? Is there something that I can do?"
"No. I just wish the morning would come so I can see you quicker."
"Well then go to sleep silly."
"I am pretty tired."
"Goodnight beautiful, I hope that you sleep well."
"Goodnight handsome."
Within second of hanging up the phone and putting down beside me, I fall asleep.