The Four Seasons

Seventeen

Dedicated to Comely_

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A

I sighed and stared at the t.v. as I flipped through the channels.

"Hey" Zeke greeted, coming into the living room with Wes in tow, "where's Jack?"

Zeke sat down on the opposite end of the couch from me, looking stiff. Wes on the other hand sat down right beside me and stretched out lazily, slinging one arm over the back of the couch.

"She's shopping with Chloe" I explained.

Zeke frowned, "Are you sure we should be leaving the kid by herself with people we don't really know?"

I let out another sigh, "I don't know. What was I supposed to do though? Tell her that she wasn't allowed to hang out with her friend?"

Zeke nodded, "if it kept her safe? Yes."

"Guys" Wes cut in, "I'm sure she's okay! She deserves to have fun. I'm sure she's thanking us right now."

***

J

I slowly blinked my eyes open, the light hurting them.

"Jacky?"

My gaze lazily drifted around the room, landing on my dad. He was sitting on his knees to the right of me, looking terrified.

"Dad?" I croaked.

"Jack, I'm so sorry you got pulled into this" my dad sighed.

I pushed myself up into a sitting position and looked around. I was sitting on the floor in an empty room with white walls and a cement floor. It didn't even have a window. How quaint.

"Is this why you've pushed me away all this time? Is this why you abandoned me after Mom died?" I asked, wrapping my arms around myself and looking away from him.

"I had to protect you, Jack. I couldn't lose you too. I hated myself because it was my fault you were in trouble and I knew there was nothing I could do to get out f it" he mumbled, "I still hate myself."

I was silent for a moment. Then, taking my dad by surprise, I jumped into his arms, wrapping my own around him.

"Thank you" I whispered into his shoulder.

I felt him gulp against my shoulder as I continued to hug him. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around me, returning the hug.

"I really am sorry, Jack. Measu. I love you so much baby girl" he breathed.

I nodded into his shoulder, "I know Daddy. I know. I love you too."

"Awe, how touching" someone interrupted.

My dad and I broke apart and I turned to see Chloe standing in the doorway. I frowned up at her.

"How could you Chloe? You've been working for Jay all along?" I questioned.

She just rolled her eyes at me, "don't sound so hurt. It's not like we were best friends."

"Still" I shook my head, "we were friends. And what about Domon-"

"Shut up" Chloe cut me off, "Don't bring him into this. If you're serious about the fact that Dom and I were your friends then you won't ever let Jay here that name. Now come on. Jay wants to see you."