You

Chapter 1

"Lilly! We are gonna leave in 20 minutes!" My mom hollers from downstairs.

Today I was moving into my first apartment. I was nervous to have that responsibility, but excited to be on my own. I have always been independent so convincing my mom was very easy.

I was also was starting my job as a waitress at the high-end restaurant in town. It wasn't my first choice but I liked the idea of meeting new people!

Back in June I graduated from Madison high, a small high school in my small town. All my life I had been a very focused student. I always had good grades and always made the honors roll. I was active in school activities too!

My boyfriend Jack is a year older than me. He graduated from Grant high, an all boys catholic school in my town, last year. He is 5'9 with brown hair and blue eyes. He's athletic, smart, funny, and sweet.

Until now, our age difference hasn't been an issue. His job is just so demanding that he doesn't have as much time for us as he used to. It's hard but we find a way to make it work.

I was just finishing packing the rest of my things. I was not excited to unpack everything I had spent hours packing.

"LILLIAN ROSE! Are you coming? Jacks here and we are waiting for you!" my mom yells.

My mom means well but sometimes she drives me insane. She's always making sure everything is perfect. But I know she is at a fragile stage right now so I won't snap at her.

*flashback*

"Mom? What's wrong?" I was worried. All I could hear was hysteric crying and screaming.

"I-I-its y-your... Father" was all she was able to say between sobs. I knew the color had drained from my face. Jack gave me a puzzled look.

"Where are you mom?"

"The hospital" she cries.

I let her know I was on my way. I tell Jack what happened and we rushed to the hospital. When we got there I ran into moms arms. She was still sobbing and I was trying to be strong but it didn't last. I began to sob with her.

"What happened?" I choke.

"He was in a car accident. A drunk driver hit him. He's in a coma right now" she says.

I didn't know if I was more upset or angry.

I figured out what room my dad was in and sat by his side. I was silently sobbing. I was holding his hand. He looked so lifeless.

"I love you so much. I know you will make it through this. You are so strong. Remember when I broke my arm and you had me smile during my x-rays? You told me I would be okay. I want you to know I will always be your baby girl. You are the greatest dad ever. I don't know what I would do without you" I am still sobbing. I kiss his forehead. Then a machine starts beeping making noises. I run out into the hall.

"HELP!I NEED HELP!" I cry.

Nurses run into my dads hospital room to check on him. They shut the door and stayed in the in the room for a half an hour. Then they came out and asked to talk to my mom. All I remember is seeing her fall to her knees.

"I'm sorry mam. We were too late. I'm really sorry for your loss" a nurse says.

I then collapsed into jacks arms. I felt like my world just stopped. My dad who was just fine this morning having fun flipping pancakes and laughing is now dead. The next two weeks I sat up in my room. Not saying a word. Crying. Barely eating or drinking.

"You know your dad wouldn't want you to be like this Lilly. You know he would want you to continue life. He would want you to make him proud. He held on for you. He knew he was gonna pass but he waited for you to say good bye" my mom says.

"How could I just move on mom? I didn't get to say goodbye. Mom I love him so much" I sob.

"You know he would want you to be happy. When you were a kid and you were upset, your father would do anything to see you smile again. Honey, no one said goodbye. He didn't know he was gonna get hit. I love him too sweetie but he wouldn't want us to not move on" she says rubbing my shoulder.

I know she's right. He wouldn't want this. He would want me to stay strong for my mom and for myself.

After that, I slowly got back into the swing of things. I also vowed to myself that I would not drink any alcohol.

*end of flashback*

I look around my room once more. I take a deep breath and walk down stairs. My mom and Jack are standing with smiling faces.

"This year I can say I'm dating a college girl" He kisses my forehead slightly bending down to reach my head. You could say I was short. I was 5' 0. So Jack usually had to bend down to kiss me.

"I'm so proud of you sweetie! But look at you!" Mom says looking at my messy bun, sweat pants, and baggy shirt I have on.

"Mom I'm moving today, not going to the royal ball" I tease.

"Oh alright, let's get going. Do you have everything? Keys? Medicine? Phone charger?" She asks. I struggle with depression and anxiety so I have to have my meds to keep me on track and my mom always worries I will have and episode and not have my medicine.

We get in the car and make small talk. Ten minutes later we pull into the parking lot and my nerves are going crazy now. Jack grabs my stuff and we walk into the building.