His Only Savior | #Wattys2019

Chapter 23

When I awoke the following morning, I found Becca had already left.  Which didn't come as much of a shock, she had planned for Charles to take her to breakfast before school. I rolled out of bed and dressed quickly before packing my bag for the weekend.  We were leaving promptly after school for the state game.  There was just one thing I needed to take care of before school however.  I swiped my keys off my desk and quickly drove over to Isaac's home.

I fidgeted with my clothing as I found my way to the door. Letting out a long sigh I mustered the courage to raise my hand, knocking hesitantly.

Isaac pulled the door open, a bandage now sitting over the small cut on his face.  He smiled, his icy demeanor had completely dissipated.  "Hey."

"Is your dad still here?"

"Yeah," he took a step back before calling through the home, "dad!"

"Thanks," I stood there awkwardly trying my best to not let my walls come crumbling down.

"Em?"

"I'm just here to take your dad to his first AA meeting.  Please don't make this harder than it needs to be."

"I just-I think we should talk."

"We are passed talking, just have him meet me in my jeep please."  Turning on my heels I headed towards my vehicle, I wasn't going to allow him back in.  If he really wanted me, he was going to have to prove it every single day and I just wasn't prepared to give him that chance.

Mr. Holland made his way out of the house clearly nervous for the meeting.  He climbed into the passenger seat without saying a word.  His clasped hands shook in his lap, unable to control the emotions surging through him.

I reached over, placing my hand over his.  "It will be okay."

He glanced my direction, but his eyes quickly found their way back down, clearly to ashamed to look at me.

"Buckle up," I smiled as I shifted into gear and pulled out of the driveway.

"Emily?"  He finally broke the silence as we pulled up to the community center.

"Yeah?"  I turned my body, so he had my full attention.

"He loves you.  You know that don't you?"

"I can't talk about this," my voice shook.  I wasn't ready to forgive him, and I surely wasn't ready to let him in again.

"Then just listen.  You were right he pushed you away because of me which was the hardest thing he has ever done.  You know what we talked about most of the time in that room last night?"  He paused so I could respond but I remained silent.  "You." He cleared his throat, "He isn't me and he never will be.  He just needs to heal, clearly we all do."

I absorbed his words, before forcing a smile.  "Thank you for sharing."

As he opened the door, he looked back one last time.  "Just give him one more chance.  If he screws it up, then just know it's his loss."  He climbed out and grinned at me, "Thank you for everything Emily."

"You're welcome."  When the door shut I headed for school, excited for the weekend ahead.

When the final bell rang, I gathered my things and stood to leaving bumping right into Isaac.  When I attempted to walk around him his arms slipped around my waist refusing to let me pass.  "Will you sit with me on the bus?"

My eyes darted around the class, Brittany's eyes piercing into my own.  "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Em, please.  There's a lot I need to say.  If you don't want to say anything in return then fine, just listen."