The Moment

Chapter Thirty-Seven

I couldn't bring myself to move. My car was still running and Watermelon Sugar was blasting from the speakers but still, I sat in my driveway, avoiding going in the house. I knew the minute I walked in, my parents would have my head so as long as I stayed out here, I'd be fine. The music cut out as my phone began to ring and honestly, the name that flashed across my screen surprised me the most.

Dixie. Denied.

Deciding I was more prepared to talk to my parents than Dixie or Noah, I turned the car off and headed inside.

"She's 19, Anna." I could hear my parents arguing from my dad's office and I knew I was in for it this time. There's no way my dad would avoid talking to me now.

"Exactly, she's an adult."

"Then she needs to start acting like one. But until then, we're taking matters into our own hands."

Letting out a sigh, I placed my keys on key holder and began taking off my shoes. I was taking my time; I wanted to avoid going into that office for as long as possible but as my phone began to vibrate, I knew it was either I face my parents or I face Dixie and the latter is just not something I'm willing to do right now.

"Regan, sweetie." My mom welcomed, wrapping her arms around me. Sure, they were about to punish me but at least they knew I was already hurting in ways I couldn't even explain.

"How are we going to stop all this madness?" My dad asked.

"We can't and we won't." I stated, simply. "They'll always find a way to put my name out there; you guys should be used to this by now." Sure it's gotten worse since being with Noah but my name has always been used in the media, ever since I started blowing up, and my parents were fully aware of that.

"We're not used to this boy walking all over you. Did it ever occur to you that he might not feel the way he says he does?"

"Tim!"

"He's right, mom." The words hit me like a ton of bricks. Why would Noah be doing this if he actually cared about me? I don't know what exactly was going on with him and Dixie but the third missed call from her had guilt written all over it.

"Your mother and I have made a decision. It'll be good for you."

"Somehow, I doubt that." I whispered.

---

My drink was getting warm from how long I had been sitting here and staring off into nothing. It wasn't like me to nurse drinks but the conversation I had with my parents this morning made me feel sick. I didn't have the energy to deal with anything anymore because at the end of the day, it wouldn't matter.

"You've been on the same drink for an hour already," Taking the seat next to me, I instantly felt better. "that's not the Cross I know."

"Yeah well, I haven't really been myself lately, have I?"

"You shouldn't let Noah affect you like that. Sure, it's fucked up, what he's doing, but you're better than that...and come on, you're better than him."

"It doesn't matter now anyway." I stated. I saw everything differently now and my attitude towards people had changed.

"Why?" Ryland asked, his fingers brushing mine on the couch.

"Forget it." I said, getting up from the couch. "I'm sorry." I whispered, looking over at him. "I'm sorry I ran out and I'm sorry I've avoided you since. You meant a lot to me then and you mean a lot to me now."

Heading into the kitchen, I grabbed a new drink, hoping I wouldn't let this one sit for as long as I did the other one. Tayler's house was massive so I knew the chances of running into Noah and Dixie were slim to none.

"There you are." As fucking if.

A/N: Uh Oh!! What do you think Regan's parents have decided? Why has Regan given up on caring? Let me know what you guys think!