Across The Stars

Chapter 17.

I stand in front of the large wooden door that I've come in and out of countless times. But for some reason, standing in front of it this time seemed more intimidating than any other time before.

Beau answers it, his hair tousled from sleep.

I glance down at my phone and see that it was almost three in the afternoon. "Did you just wake up?" I grin at him.

"Yeah, what's it to you?" He asks defensively.

"Where's mum and dad?" I ask with a laugh.

"In the living room."

I brush past him, not bothering to listen to his protests.

"Hello?" I call out to my mum and dad.

When I round the corner into the living room, I smile softly when I see my parents lying next to each other on the couch, engrossed in a film.

Mum sees me first, and she quickly rises to her feet before pulling me in for a hug. "Hi Jellybean."

"Hey, mum."

I glance over to my dad who has yet to make eye contact with me. "Hi daddy."

"Hello." He simply says.

My lips form a frown and I glance over at my mum who gives me a sympathetic smile. "I have something I need to say." I tell them.

I have both of their attentions now, as well as Beau's, who was leaning up against the wall.

"I'm really sorry for what I did to you guys." I begin. "I never meant to cut you guys out of my life, or make you feel like I was embarrassed by you. I could never be embarrassed by you. If anything, I should be proud to call you my parents. I'm sorry that I've caused fights between you two, and I'm sorry I couldn't be a better daughter."

My mum's hand is clutched over her heart, and her blue eyes are shining. "Annie..."

"I just wanted to prove to myself that I could make it on my own. That I could be someone without everyone knowing me as your daughter. As selfish as it sounds, I thought I could do it without losing myself, but I feel like I have more than ever. I don't look like myself, I don't feel like myself... I'm not myself. And I lost the love of my life and my family." I feel tears burning at the corners of my eyes.

"Oh sweetie." My mum says, pulling me into her arms. "It's alright."

"No, it's not." I shake my head, pulling away from her. "I thought what I was doing was right but... I didn't realize how much it would change my life. And honestly not in the way I wanted it to. I didn't want to lose you guys. I'm so sorry."

I'm surprised to see my dad lift himself off of the couch. He walks towards me and pulls me into his arms. I hug him tightly, allowing the tears to fall from my eyes. I feel my mum's embrace as well, both of their arms now concealing me.

"I'm sorry too, Annie." My dad quietly says. "I was just afraid of losing you that's all."

"God you guys are such fucking saps." I hear Beau sniffle from across the room.

The three of us break our embrace and we turn towards Beau, who was wiping tears from his eyes.

"Beau?" My mum says, her tone amused.

"I'm fine." He chokes out.

"Do you want a hug too?" My dad coos at him.

"No, piss off. I'm going back to bed." He says before storming back up the stairs.

"He's been acting strange lately." My mum laughs before looking back at me.

"It's Beau. What do you expect?" Dad shrugs.