Born to Make Mistakes, Not Fake Perfection ( Oliver Wood )

Chapter 12

I knew I was different.

I always knew.

My darker hair, darker eyes, and darker skin never matched up to my lighter skinned, lighter haired, lighter eyed siblings.

No.

Not my siblings.

Why didn't I know?

Why was I never told?

My legs stopped abruptly and I gripped my knees for support, gulping down as much air as I could.

Allowing myself to sink to the ground, I extended my legs as I leaned back on my hands.

What I thought were the last of my tears dripped down my chin as I heard my dad- no. Saeed's constant reminder in the back of my mind, 'Crying doesn't solve anything'.

If I wasn't so wrapped up in my thoughts, I would have probably heard the twigs snapping under the feet that were padding toward me, but I didn't.

"Jessica?" Oh no.

My da- Saeed's voice brought me back to reality.

I shook my head, my eyes fixed on the outskirts of the forbidden forest.

"Jess?" He said softly, boldly taking a spot beside me

"I know you probably hate me right no-"

"You don't know what I'm feeling." I growled, not bothering to peek up at the middle aged man.

Saeed sighed. "When I found you, I just wanted to give you a normal life. I've done everything in my power to raise you as my own-"

"What do you want? A thank you?" My head snapped around. "You don't even need to work anymore because of me! I think I more than made up for anything I've ever took from yo-"

"That's not what I meant and you know it!" Saeed hissed, "You are my daughter! I raised you! I nurtured you!"

"Don't giv-" I tried to say, but he gripped both of my shoulders and pulled me into his chest

"Don't push me away!" Saeed scolded, squeezing me tight.

I tried to pull away, sniffing up the snot from the tears that were now cascading down my cheeks again, but he only held tighter.

"Tell me, what is a father?" Saeed questioned, loosening his grip to pull me back for a look in my eyes.

His expectant eyes urged me to answer, but I managed the best glare I could muster and threw it his way.

"Fine, I'll tell you. A father loves his children unconditionally. He want's to catch you before you fall but instead helps you up, dusts you off, and lets you learn for yourself. A father is always behind you, no matter what you do. He's there to wipe away the tears and make you smile when you're upset, shows you reason when you're angry - like now," Saeed's voice softened as he reached to brush away the freshly shed tears that escaped my clamped lids.

"He scolds you when you get out of order, keeps his faith when you fail, and swells in pride when you do succeed. Though a father can't always give you what you want, we never hesitate to give you what you need. Most importantly,"

Saeed pulled me against his chest once more.

"A father is someone who loves their children even when they're at their worst."

Choking back a sob I allowed myself to nuzzle into his neck.

"Never doubt my love for you. You are my daughter and I love you more than life itself. I'll always need you even if you don't need me."