The Guy Who Gave Up His Jersey (New Version)

|56|

"I am glad you decided to call me," Alejandro said as he took a seat next to me on the bench. I stared at the empty park before me as my eyes watered.

After leaving the diner I decided not to return home yet, I needed to clear my head and figure out what to do next. My head was scattered with different emotions making me feel overwhelmed. I wanted to cry, scream—disappear. My chest continued to feel heavy even after the talk with my dad—maybe time could heal the heaviness.

"What happened?" He spoke after a few minutes of silence.

"I'm not okay..." I choked out with a few tears streaming down my face. "my mom lied about my biological father. He didn't abandon me-" my grip on the edges of the bench tighten. "he loved me,"

"Jules, you're not making sense," he responded.

"My mom hid me from my dad all these years because her hatred for him was bigger than letting her daughter not feel worthless," I clenched my jaw tightly. "and I hate her for it,"

His hand laid on my thigh and squeezed lightly, "I am sorry you are going through this, but you shouldn't carry hatred in your heart,"

"I don't know how to forgive her,"

He sighed, "I would sound cliche saying this, yet you know it is the truth. Time it can do wonders, baby," he stood up and kneeled before me. His dark orbs staring at me with sorrow. "It's okay to be mad and it's okay to hurt,"

Tears continued to pour down my cheeks. I closed my eyes and sobbed quietly. I have had enough. At seventeen it can't be possible to be so exhausted. I wanted to get in a fetal position and stop existing. Time could do me a favor and pass on by while I lay and wait for these emotions to settle down. However, my friends, Ale and Xavier will never let the darkness consume me.

Alejandro glazed his thumb over my wet cheek, wiping away my tears, "you are loved Jules. You have friends and family that care so much about you even if they show it in the worst ways possible," he licked his lips. "I love you,"

His face goes to shock then he chuckled quietly to himself, "it probably is not the best time to say it and as before, I don't expect you to say it back. However, I love you, Jules,"

Those words made me cry a little more—he loved me. I believed him too; he had no reason to lie to me. I touched his hand and sighed heavily.

"I know the type of love everyone has for you isn't the same as a parents love, but I hope the people you care about you fill the emptiness,"

It occurred to me why I liked Alejandro; it wasn't his physical appearance or how everyone else wanted him—he understood me. He was the light in my darkness and the peacefulness during my storm.

"Why did you pick me? And don't you say because someone had to get to know the real you,"

His eyes lighten up and a small grin appeared on his lips, "truthfully, you have been the only girl I have been able to tell her everything without thinking twice,"  he leaned forward and kissed my forehead.

"Don't cry anymore," he pleaded. "things will get better and if you choose to lay in bed and cry, I will lay with you and cry too,"

I chuckled softly, "that's so corny,"

He shrugged, "you get my drift,"

"Yeah, I do." I smiled.

"You ready to go home yet?" He asked.

"No," he sat next to me again and pulled me closer to him. "Alright then, we can sit here for as long as you want,"

I closed my eyes letting a few more tears roll down.

⚫️⚫️⚫️

Since I had promised not to run off for days, I returned home however, I refused to talk to anyone. I still felt betrayed and angry—any altercation would result to things being thrown be me. Entering the house, it was silent, the television was playing softly in the living room. I doubted anyone tried looking for my out in the streets so they were all in their rooms, hopefully letting me vent my anger out before approaching.

As I made my way up the stairs, I heard foot steps behind me. I turned around and my dad walked out with a frown on his face.

"You probably don't want to talk to anyone so listen to me and you can go your way. I didn't know your mom hid you away from your biological father. If I knew I would've given you the choice to see him." He rubbed his face. "I don't know how to fix this,"

"It isn't your problem," I said quietly. "Mom...she needs to give me time. Let her know not to apologize, sorry won't fix this,"

"Juliana, she is deeply hurt by what she did-"

"No she's not and one day I'll be okay with that, but bot today. I'm tired, good night," and I went up the stairs towards my room.

Xavier was sitting on the edge of the bed, waiting for me to return, "I don't want to talk," I said quietly. "My head is hurting and all I want is to shower and get in bed,"

"I got off the phone with Alejandro and I'm glad you chose to talk to someone rather than running off into the city," he said. "You seem to be handling things in the best way,"

"Crying my eyes out and being angry is the best way to handle things?" I raise a brow.

He shrugged, "when I met my biological mom and she turned it to be the complete opposite I was mad. I broke into dad's whiskey in the office and got drunk. Dad found me passed out in the back yard and after giving me Gatorade and Advil he talked to me,"

"My situation is different..." I trailed off.

He nodded, "what she did was horrible and possibly unforgivable, and I am not here to tell you how you shouldn't be mad at her too long. Guess what? I am still angry at my biological mom. I don't understand how a parent could not want to be in their child life. I don't get how mom was so selfish,"

"She doesn't care about us,"

"That's not true, Juliana. She cares in her own way and you know that. You're disappointed in her,"

"Yeah..." hating and loving her at the same time was painful. Although what she did aches me, she has loved me in her way.

"I need a time out from life," I confessed. "Give me a few days to simmer in my anger before getting out of bed and pretending what she did doesn't hurt anymore,"

He got up from the bed and squeezed my shoulder, "you take the time you need. Goodnight, Juliana."

"Night," I whispered closing the door behind him.

I slid down my door and buried my face in my legs. Soft sobs escaped my lips as I finished breaking down for what felt like the millionth time. There's no words to explain the hurt roaming in my chest; it almost feel as if someone stabbed me.

How do I forgive her?

⚫️⚫️⚫️
This chapter was a bit of filler with a small little surprise. How do you feel about Alejandro's confession?

I'm enjoying having time to write again and updating for you guys. The only reason for this extra time is the simple fact I fell down the stairs last week and have been in bed with back pain. Thankfully it wasn't anything serious but the fall was pretty bad and my muscles are tense. Anyway, it's given me time to write and appreciate the characters and the readers who still show their support. As always thank you for giving my stories a chance.

Xoxo
GladysV.