Paradise

Chapter 4 - From That Day On

My heart was torn into a million pieces and suddenly, I felt as though I was something small in this big and lonely world. I convinced myself that my whole life had been a lie based on those 6 little words Brooke told me that hold so much significance, enough significance that can shatter an entire world. I always suspected that something wasn't right in the Lancaster residence, I guess I was just hoping it wasn't true, either that or I just seemed to run away from it instead of facing the fact that my flawless childhood growing up wasn't nearly as perfect as I thought my current life was.

"Avery. Avery, are you all right?" Brooke's voice interrupted my moment of isolation.

"How did you find out?" I said, forcing the words through my teeth.

"Last night as I was on my way to mom's birthday dinner I found out. I was pulling up into the parking lot when I saw mom talking to some guy. I didn't jump to any conclusions yet, I assumed it was just the guy from valet parking but then mom started getting closer and closer to him. She kept smiling and laughing, she even hugged him. By then, I wasn't thinking irrationally. I mean, its mom. Her and dad love each other, right? Then, as they were pulling away from each other, mom walked back towards him and kissed him. It wasn't a peck on the cheek or a quick smooch. It was a kiss with a lot of passion behind it, you could see it in her eyes whenever she looked at him and I," she broke off as tears began to stream down her face. She pulled herself together and resumed talking, "I got off the car with full intent on confronting her and completely blowing off on her when the guy told her he loved her. I stood in fear behind mom, I was hoping she wouldn't say it back but she did, Avery. He kissed her again, and I couldn't take it anymore so I ran into the restaurant to tell you and dad but mom caught sight of me and tried to calm me down but after what I had just saw, there was no way in hell I was anywhere near calm. That's when I decided to go and tell you two anyway but mom made it in before I did and obviously she got a hold of dad."

I don't know why it was so hard for me to process what Brooke just told me but I found myself just standing there in silence, taking in the wave of emotions that were drowning me. I felt the most vulnerable I have ever felt in my life.

"I knew I shouldn't have told you." Brooke said sharply with a hint of regret.

"No, I'm glad you did. I knew something was wrong with mom, now I'm not in the dark about it." I lied. Half of me was glad everything was out in the open while the other half was having a breakdown.

"That's why I didn't come home last night, I didn't want to face mom. I stayed over at Tori's house for the night... Listen, Avery, how are we going to tell dad?"

"We're not, that's how." I said a little more harshly than I should have.

"What? You don't think he has the right to know? They're still married, you know. I think dad would like to know that his wife has been cheating on him for God knows how long!" Brooke said as her voice began to rise.

"How are we going to break dad's heart like that? Why does it have to be us? This is his and mom's business, shouldn't she be the one to tell him about her affair?"

"Oh gee, because when I cheat on my husband I'm just so eager to tell him all about it!" Brooke sarcastically said.

"Shut up. We should let them work this out on their own." I said as I began to take a breath and calm down.

"I can't believe you. You do what you want to do but I'm telling dad. No one should be in his position and I'm ashamed of you, Avery, ashamed that you would let this go on."

"Brooke, think about this for a second-"It was no use. She was already on her way upstairs when I heard her slam her room door.

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