Welcome to Serenity

Not After Years Of Loving You

Annie's POV:
I soldier my way home, trying not to pass out. The heat is almost unbearable and whilst rivaling my hunger, this day is getting worse and worse.

I unlock the front door of my house, knowing I'm the only one home. Mum is at the resturant and Dad is staying at a motel.

The door creaks open, as I trudge inside and turn the lights on. I walk over to my room and look in the mirror. I put my hand on my cheek, remembering the way Ty held my face early today.

I smile slightly as I look at myself in the mirror. I tuck a loose strand of hair, imagining Ty is tucking the hair behind my ear. I feel his hand across my face, as I slowly close my eyes and rest my head against the mirror.

Maybe love isn't too strong a word.

Laying on my bed, music blasting from my phone, I edit some of my recent photos. One is of an elderly couple walking hand-in-hand, one is of a leaf spiraling to the ground, and one is of Ty and Gabe, on the day Ty almost kissed me on the bleachers by the baseball pitch.

My phone vibrates beside me, so look down to see who's texted me.

Ty
We need 2 talk

Ty
Tomorrow?

Annie
Busy. Sorry.

Then I turn my phone off and chuck it onto my desk. I really don't feel like talking to Ty again. I feel like a hamster, running around and around in a wheel going absolutely no where.

"Hey baby girl!" Dad says as he opens my bedroom door.

"Daddy?!" I yell jumping into his arms.

"What-" I start to ask.

"I convinced Mum to let me come over for dinner." He says.

At least there's one man in my life who I know will always loves me.

When Mum got home she looked alittle uncomfortable with Dad here. She cooked this delicious soup dish, and Dad told me all about what he's been doing. Hanging out with old friends and working mostly, but it's nice to talk to him.

After Dad leaves, I hug Mum. "Thanks." I whisper.

"No problem sweetheart." She says. I close my eyes and hug her tightly. I don't think I could ever tell her about Ty, but it's nice to know she is there for me.

* * *

I wake up the next morning, screaming and crying. Another nightmare about the car crash

I remember Aunt Helen told me something while I was in hospital, "the storms never stop, but neither do the rainbows." I've had plenty of storms lately, but I don't know about any rainbows.

On my way to school, I feel an arm pull me back, behind a tree.

"Ahh!" I scream, preparing myself to fight for my escape.

"It's just me!" I hear a familiar voice whisper.

"Ty! Were you trying to give me a hear attack!?" I hiss at him, my muscles relaxing.

"Sorry. I thought we had to talk, but you weren't answering any of my calls or texts." He says. No wonder why I was ignoring him!

"Ok then. Talk." I say impatiently.

"About the other day, I was in a weird mood and-" Ty starts to say.

"No, Ty! We aren't doing this again! We can't just ignore this! You have a girlfriend, Ty! A pretty, smart, popular girlfriend. And I can't keep playing second fiddle to her." I interrupt.

"I have to put myself first for once. And I cant-"

"We can just work this out, and stay friends-" Ty interrupts.

"No, Ty! Not after years of loving you." I yell, running the rest of the way to school, leaving Ty standing behind the tree, stunned.

I collapse in the girls toilet, shaking and crying, leaning my head against the wall.

I grab out my phone and call the first person I think of. "Hello?" Aunt Helen says.

"Hi." I say sniffling.

"Annie? Are you ok?" Aunt Helen asks.

"Can you come pick me up from school?" I ask.

Twenty minutes, a trip to the school nurse, and a mental health day later, I'm sitting in the car beside Aunt Helen.

"Are you sure your ok?" Aunt Helen asks.

No.

"Yes." I lie looking out the window.

I never lie to Aunt Helen. But I just did.

Aunt Helen always used to call me strong, I don't know about strong, but it's one of the only things keeping me going.

As we walk into her house she asks. "Is there anything you want to talk about?" Aunt Helen asks.

All the emotions of this year come flooding out as I crumble into her arms, sobbing.

So much for strong.

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Hi! Sorry for the wait! I hope you enjoyed this part! As always any theories are welcome and suggestions are very much appreciated!

And I hope you're having an awesome day wherever you are in the world! Stay safe!