after you left |ai|

10

As soon as I was done working, I went over to my parents' house in hopes of finding a familiar face there. I rang the bell politely even though I had a key and waited for my dad to open the door for me. A happy smile on his face at the sight of me that soon turned into a frown when he saw the expression on my face.

"What's wrong Elle?" He asked as he let me in and I looked around in the house. "Mom went to the store with Amber but she'll be back soon." He added when he noticed I was looking for her.

I walked closer to him and wrapped my arms around him tightly before breaking down. I had been getting texts of him all day with confessions and with names of friends that he slept with while we were together. Which included one of my best friends.

My dad held his arms around me and rubbed my back softly like he did when I was a kid. He stayed silent while I let all the tears out that I held in during the day. I just needed someone to talk to that knew him the way I did. Someone that knew the great guy I thought he was instead of the asshole he actually is.

Even now that I know how bad he was, I still miss and love him. I still want him back because we were best friends for 14 years. It's not easy to forget that.

"Did something happen at work?" He asked softly when I calmed down. I wiped the tears away from my face and walked over to the couch with him to sit down. "What happened sweety?"

"Thomas came over to my apartment this morning at half past 4." I said before taking in a deep breath and starting to explain all of it. I finally told him how our break up really happened and all the shit that happened afterwards. He just sat there, listening in silence but I could see he was getting seriously pissed.

And when I was finally done explaining everything, he stayed silent for a while, his hands had turned into fists and he was trying not to react on his anger. I was always dad's little girl and he'd kill to protect me.

"Please say something dad"

"If he ever comes near you or tries anything like this on you again, call me so I can end him." He finally got out and I placed my hand on his, he relaxed immediately. Just like Ashton had done when I grabbed his arm when Jackie had set us up to become friends.

"Dad that's not going to help anything." I said with a sigh and he nodded. "I don't know yet what I'm going to do."

"When was the last text he send you?"

"Like a minute ago I think. He keeps on sending me shit." I said while I took out my phone that had been buzzing for a while now. I handed him the monologe Thomas was having and I could see him get angrier again. "I hate that I still love him even after all of that."

"Oh sweetie. You gave him your all for so long and you loved him with all your heart, you can't just get over him that easily. Even if you want to and if he's an asshole, it's not going to be easy." He said with a small smile before placing his arm around my shoulder.

"I wasted 7 years on him. 7 years that I could have spend with someone better."

"You didn't waste any of those years. You learned so much about yourself, about love and so much more. Even when he did all of this," he said pointing at my phone, "he was still your best friend and partner in crime. That's why it's not easy to move on."

"I know dad." I leaned against his side and closed my eyes for a few seconds until the front door flew open and I could hear Amber and mom.

"It's been a month and he's not coming back. You should tell her about it." He whispered to me before looking at them behind us. "Hey, how was the shopping?" He asked with a smile on his face.

"It was so fun! I am going to make you and mom food tonight and Elle you can stay too if you want!"

"I'd love that Amber" I said with a half smile while she sat down next to me. I looked at my dad and he got the clue to go away. He got up and closed the door of the kitchen behind him to go help mom. "We have to talk about something"

"About what?" She asked me so excited. She loves Thomas and she's going to be mad.

"About Thomas" I said to her and her smile faded a little when she understood the tone in my voice. "Thomas and I are not together anymore. He broke up with me so he's not going to come around anymore."

"Oh" was all that came out of her mouth while she stared at her hands. "Are you sad because of that?" She asked so sweetly

"I am. I loved him a lot but he did some stupid things which I can't forgive him for." I replied and she nodded before wrapping her arms around my body. I expected her to be mad at me for this but instead she held me close to her and tried not to cry.

"I don't like it when you're sad so please be happy again soon." She mumbled and I couldn't help but let out a few tears as she said that. "Do you want me to keep you company tonight so you don't have to be alone?"

"I think I'm going to stay here for the night if that's okay with mom and dad." I replied and she nodded softly.

"It's okay for me. I don't want you to be alone and sad." She said softly before looking at me.

"Do you need any help to make dinner for mom and dad? I could help you with that." I proposed to her and she shook her head rapidly.

"I am going to make dinner for everyone!" She said excited before getting up again and kicking mom and dad out of the kitchen. It was so easy to get her started on another subject and that came in handy from time to time. Mom sat down next to me and put her arms around me.

"You're going to be okay honey, I know you will." She whispered and I knew dad had told her everything while they were in there. "You can stay here as long as you want to escape for a while."

"Thank you mom." I replied with a smile.

"Ben and Chris are coming over this weekend, Alec still has to see if he can but it would be nice to have a full house again. They stay here when they're in town but you're always at your own apartment. So come join us this weekend please?" Dad asked and I nodded with a smile.

"We're here for you Elle, always." Mom said before kissing the side of my head.

"Can everyone go sit at the table?" Amber asked excited, we all got up and sat down around the table in the living room while hearing her giggle in the kitchen.

There was nothing better than spending time with them.

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I love her family and it's going to be my goal to make you love them too if you don't yet.

Please let me know what you think about Elle and the story so far!