What's Real

Left Him

Nadia's POV

It's finally the weekend. Derrick and I are supposed to be going on a date tonight. It'll be our first actual date as a couple.

"You guys should go to prom together" my mom said.

"I hope he's planning to go anyway." I said.

"Did he tell you he wasn't going?"

"No... it's just, he doesn't get along with his captain on the basketball team so I don't know... he might not go"

"Oh"

I walked to my room and watched TV until Derrick got here.

"Hey" I said.

"Hey" he replied.

I gave him a hug and then he sat down on the bed.

"I uhh... I got this note. From my dad. I haven't opened it yet."

"He's still gone on that trip?" I said.

"I think so"

"I'll open it" I said holding my hand out.

He gave it to me and I opened it.

"Read it out loud" he said.

"Okay... Hey Ricky. I know you're probably wondering when I'm coming back from that business trip. I'm not. I've decided to stay and start a new life... I'm sorry to leave you alone but you have Nadia and her Mother... you'll be fine. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. Just forget about me... sincerely, your dad."

I looked up. He had tears starting to form in his eyes.

"Ricky..." I said.

He got up and walked out of the house and to his car.

"Derrick" I said following him.

He got in his car.

"I have to go" he said.

"Derrick I'm not letting you leave" I said putting his car in park.

"Stop..." he said breaking down in tears.

I took his keys out of the ignition and and put them in my pocket.

My mom came outside and helped me even though she didn't know what was going on.

Derrick put his head on the steering wheel.

"Come on Derrick" I said trying to unbuckle his seat belt.

He started banging his head against the steering wheel.

"Stop Ricky" I said.

We pulled him out of the car.

"What happened?" I asked.

"His dad left him" I said.

"What did I do? I don't know what I did wrong" he said.

"You didn't do anything." I said.

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