pull me back | a drag me down spin off

【twenty one】

I'm frozen. Shocked. I have no idea what to do. My hands are beginning to shake as my eyes stare at the photo. It has to be my father, it looks just like him when he was younger.

How is this possible? My breathing grows heavier as a panic attack forms in my lungs. I suddenly can't breathe.

"Grace?" Riker's voice calls from the hallway, but I can't move. I can't speak.

I have no recollection of my own voice, of my own thoughts. I simply stare at the photo that is still in my hands.

"Did you find it?" Riker slowly pushes the door to Jesse's bedroom open, and looks at me with confused eyes. "What's going on?"

"I-" My head turns toward him. His eyebrows are narrowed with confusion. "I need to go. I have to leave."

"Leave? And go where? What's going on?" He tries to step closer to me.

"Where's Jesse? What beach is he at?" I frantically ask.

"He went to Malibu today. Why? What does Jesse have to do with you?" He won't stop asking me questions.

"Don't act like you don't know." I push past him, and make my way over to his bedroom. I immediately start putting my shirt back on before sliding my shorts up my legs.

"I don't, I'm so confused. Grace, just talk to me." He rushes to my side.

I quickly fold the photograph and tuck it into the back pocket of my pants. "Have you ever met Jesse's father?"

"What?" He tilts his head, seeming dumbfounded.

"Don't act stupid right now, have you ever met his father?" I sternly ask again.

"No, but I've met his mother. Her name is Ruby."

"Is his father in the picture?" I can't help but ask.

"I think so, but I'm not sure. His parents are divorced."

"Well, I need to go." I slip my shoes on and head downstairs.

"Grace, where are you going? What happened?" Riker immediately follows me down to the lower level of his house.

"I need to talk to Jesse." I say, reaching for the door handle.

"It's raining, he should be home soon. Just wait for him here, I'll send him a text-"

"No, Riker. I'm leaving." I snap, watching his eyes widen at my sudden outburst.

"Well, let me come with you." He offers.

"No, I need to be alone right now."

"Why do you care about Jesse's father?" He questions.

I pause for a moment. I have no idea how to answer that question. All I know is that Jesse has a picture from when he was little and my father is standing right next to him. I don't know how that's possible, but it is.

"I'll just see you later." I mumble and rush out the door.

"Grace, wait!" He yells, but I'm already down the driveway.

Rain is pouring onto me as I get into my car and speed away from the house. I step on the gas pedal and drive as quickly as I can.

My phone begins to ring, and I see Riker's name on the screen. I simply ignore the call and keep driving. My heart is pounding against my chest and my hands are still shaking at the discovery I just made.

The rain is pounding down onto the top of my car, and my windshield wipers are as fast as lightning. I nervously gulp when I finally pull up to Malibu beach, seeing it is practically deserted.