SPLASH

Prologue

It was in the middle of the night when my thirteen year old self was awakened from a very deep slumber.

Usually, I would've been annoyed and cuss out silently to whatever woke me up, throw my pillow over my head and just fall right back to sleep because I knew that I'd need to be sober the following morning at school and I didn't wanna look like a zombie.

But not today.

Today, I didn't wanna throw my pillow over my head, cuss out and just fall back to my blissful sleep because whatever noise that woke me up sounded important.

It was from my parents and I was curious to know what was happening.

‘What do they say about curiosity and the cat?’ The little voice in my head said. I rolled my eyes at it. ‘Well thank God I'm not a cat then.’

So, I dragged my tired and sleepy ass out of bed, silently reminding myself that I was going to regret ditching my sleep and instead followed my curiosity into the hallway to the top of the stairs where I was able to see suitcases by the door.

Someone is leaving.

Instantly, all the sleep left me when I heard the voices coming from the kitchen. There were pleading and gut-wrenching sobs not to go.

My stomach dropped.

Someone was definitely leaving this house. But who? I asked myself.

We currently weren't hosting any guests so it was just my parents and I. And then again, no one would really cry this hard over someone who just came for a visit right?

I still kept thinking about who it was that was leaving.

The guesses were becoming super strong but obviously minus me because those weren't my suitcases so I wasn't the one leaving. That is if I could actually leave. I'll have to be legal first and I'm a few years away already. But,that was just beside the point.

Plus, I was hiding up here on the stairs just being a silent spectator.

Maybe, it was either my mom or dad..

..or both even..?

Panic that welled in me.

No, they couldn't do that to me. They love me so they can't leave me right?
My thirteen year old mind tried to reason as tears blurred my vision.

In my hazy state of mind, I tried again to conjure up all the reasons why those suitcases and voices didn't mean someone was actually leaving.
Maybe there was a rat in those bags that my parents are trying to get rid of. 

Yeah, that must be it. A rat. Because we deal with those godforsaken pests all the time it's not even funny anymore.

“No, please don't leave us. You know Stella and I need you. Don't do this.”

My mind stopped reeling when I heard mom's voice. Suddenly, my eyes zoomed in on my parents – who were now standing by the front door – like a microscope would a bug underneath it's lenses.

Dad. Dad..?

I couldn't believe this. My mind refused to believe that the scene my eyes were viewing was indeed happening.

No, no, no. Dad can't be leaving us now. Or ever..

The tears that were gathered up in my eyes started spilling down my cheeks in heavy droplets of utter hurt and frustration.

And then suddenly, I was on the floor with my mom. Both of us crying hysterically. I looked around and there was no Dad. It immediately occured to me that part of that day was missing. I must have been transported to another part of this whole event.

Mom was cradling me on her lap, rocking back and forth and I could literally feel her wishing that this was all just one big messy dream and that when she wakes up, everything will be back to normal.

But it won't.

It did not and I know she knew that. Because this was not a dream. It was our reality.

I remembered all the happy times we spent together as a family. It was all coming back to me in flashes of overwhelming ecstasy.

I know and believe that my dad has a really good reason for doing this but for now I can only pray for my mom that she has enough patience to wait to hear dad's explanation before she starts to resent him and begin cussing at him and sending him to hell.

Suddenly, I heard ringing in my ears.
“Damn it, my alarm. Why does it have to be camp today?!”

This time, I could only cuss out a little but not go back to sleep as I dragged my seventeen year old's slothful and tired morning ass to the bathroom to shower and wash away all the remnants of the very same dream I keep having about the night my dad left..

..four years ago..

Hello again little doves🕊

Now, I'm here again with a short story just for you guys.

I hope you continue to give it a read,a comment or two and if you loved it, the little star will love to shine with you.🌟

Kk, see you all in the next chappies.

Ciao💞