When things come apart.

[freeyoursoul]

Grace.
01.

“Grace, how was school honey?”

My mother’s voice echoed through the house as I step inside, closing the door gently behind me. Licking my lips, I gave her a small smile as I shrugged my shoulders.

“It was good.” I mumbled softly.
“Is everything okay?” She asked, eying me suspiciously. “You look a little pale.”

My head snapped up immediately as I plastered on a fake smile. I hated lying to my mother, to anyone really, but I couldn’t help it. I couldn’t tell her the truth. As she began piling food on my plate, I took this as my chance to escape from her questions. Clutching my bag tightly to my body, I slid into the downstairs bathroom, closing and locking the door behind me.

The next few moments were a blur. The test was out and in my hands before I knew what was happening and as I looked down at it in my hands, I felt my eyes blur with tears as my fear slowly became reality.

I was pregnant.



I was in the midst of grabbing my books from my locker when my two best friends approached. I’ve known Caitlyn and Sarah since I was little, about first grade and we’ve been friends all the way through now, our freshmen year.

They were talking adamantly about Mr. Johns, the new Choir teacher while I turned to face them. Licking my lips, I gave them a sheepish smile and held my books tighter to my chest. I adjusted my outfit nervously as Caitlyn spoke up.

“I take it you have something better then Mr. Johns?” She snapped, arms crossed over her chest. Sarah laughed wildly, shaking her head as I shifted uncomfortably on my heels.

“What could possibly be better then Mr. Johns?” She countered quickly. I cleared my throat as I brushed a strand of hair behind my ear.

“I…I had sex.” I choked out. Both stopped laughing immediately as they looked at me, with surprised and almost disbelief written on their faces.

“No way.” Caitlyn hissed, a slight hint of anger in her voice. In all the years I’ve known them, Sarah and Caitlyn were always along the lines of being the same person. Both angry, hot headed, quick to judge, but in the end, defensive and loveable.

“That’s bull.” Sarah spewed, shaking her head.

“Wait,” Caitlyn jumped quickly. “If you really had sex, then tell us what it was like.” She smirked.

“It was horrible.” I snapped. “It was bad and it hurt, and it wasn’t like in the movies-you know, all romantic and stuff!”

“Well, who was it?” Sarah asked.

“Who was what?” I mumbled, exhausted. It’d never took this much strength to explain anything. In part, it hurt to think they didn’t believe me, but at the same time I sort of expected it. It wasn’t that I lied to them a lot, in fact-I didn’t lie unless I was in trouble or terrified out of my mind but I guess it was more of the disbelief in it. They couldn’t believe me, shy little me, of all people would have sex.

“It’s no one you know.” I mumble quietly. “He doesn’t go here.”

“Well…” Caitlyn sighed, as if she was finally giving in and beginning to believe me. “If he doesn’t go here, and you didn’t like the sex, why are you telling us now? I mean, you’re not like-pregnant or anything right? You don’t have any STD’s that we should know about?”

Sarah laughed, rolling her eyes. I swallowed hard, adverting my gaze immediately as Caitlyn and Sarah shared a glance.

“Oh my-”
“God.” Sarah finished. I sniffled as I wiped at my eyes.
“You’re pregnant?” Caitlyn whispered, voice hushed as she looked around to make sure no one was listening in. As the second bell rang, I bit down on my lip and slammed my locker door shut.

“I have to go.” I whispered. “I can’t be late.”

Before either could speak again, I took off-nearly sprinting down the hallway.

This was bad, this was so, so bad.

[freeyoursoul]

Grace.
02.

My family has always been well, relatively normal. My mother,Olivia, was a stay at home mom while my father, Elliot, worked for the police force. I had one younger sister,Ashley, who was thirteen. We had our moments where we got along, but it was rare. She was the more rebellious type while I just laid back and let things happen. I wasn’t good with confrontation, or well-people. I was shy and squeamish, and was often told by my friends that I ‘had no back-bone.’

That may have been true, but I couldn’t help it. I wasn’t raised to fight and protect myself, I was raised to be kind and sweet and honest. I was close to perfect, in my parents eyes at least.

If only they knew it was all about to change.


For as long as I can remember I’ve been heavily involved in music. When I was six, I got my first acoustic guitar, started writing songs at ten, and got my first piano at twelve. I haven’t stopped playing since. My dad says I got my musical influence from my mother, and I guess in part-I did. She was always singing. If she were to do this as a profession, she’d definitely go far. But as she says, she prefers being a mom more then a musical artist.

When it came to me, I never expected I’d be having a baby-let alone one at fifteen. I always thought I’d have a husband and a career behind me before any of this happened-but I guess things don’t always turn out as planned. My dreams of going to Julliard were crushed the moment I had the doctor confirm my pregnancy. I was 6 weeks along. I let out a small, defeated sigh as I fell back against my bed-staring blankly at the ceiling.

What was I supposed to do? For myself? For my baby? How was I going to tell the father? The guy I lied to my friends about and said never went to our school when in all reality, he does.

Licking my lips, I reached over to the bedside table and picked up my phone at the sound of it’s incessant ringing. Chewing nervously on my lip, I saw ‘Caitlyn’ flash on the caller ID. Flipping it open, I pressed it to my ear and spoke quietly into the receiver.

“Hello?”
“Grace! Sarah and I were thinking and well, we totally have an idea.” Caitlyn said adamantly.
“I…uhm, okay?” I questioned, slightly surprised. When it came to Sarah and Caitlyn, they could never agree on anything. So this, this was definitely a shocker. Caitlyn chuckled lightly before beginning to talk again.

“We’ll be over in five, okay?”

Oh man, this cannot be good.


“So, you find a guy-date him, and then have sex with him. After, tell him your pregnant and problem solved.” Sarah quipped, grinning. I rolled my eyes and shook my head.
“No.” I snapped, frantically. “Problem not solved!”
“Just try it.” She pleaded. “You never know.”
“No.” I hissed again. “I’m not doing that.”
“Oh c’mon.”
“No. Look,” I said, sighing in annoyance. “I think you need to leave.”
“Grace-”
“Don’t. Just…go, please.”

Running a hand through her hair, she nodded and disappeared from my bedroom.

This was all a big mess.

[freeyoursoul]

Grace.
03.

I let out a frustrated sigh as I tried for the umpteenth time that day to zipper my pants. It was useless. With force, I grabbed hold of the sides and yanked them back down my legs, deciding I'd just throw on something else. Something that may actually fit me.

Running a hand through my hair, I padded back over to my closet, desperate to find something that may still fit my growing stomach. As I searched through my clothes, I contemplated heavily on just how I managed to get into this mess. I was fifteen! Fifteen! I couldn't possibly be having a baby yet. But then again, as I thought about it more, I was and I couldn't have an abortion. I just couldn't. Being pregnant was one thing, but then deliberately killing my baby?

It just didn't work with me.

Finally deciding on a simple outfit, I grabbed my books and headed downstairs. I wasn't one for a lot of makeup. It just didn't feel right, so when I got ready in the mornings I only put on a light foundation, some powder, and very little mascara.

Giving my mom a smile, I took a seat at the counter in the kitchen and watched as she slid over a plate of pancakes. Thanking her, I grabbed my fork and started eating. My stomach was turning and I could feel the bile rising slowly, but I willed myself not to vomit. I needed to eat, after all-I hadn't in 24 hours. I spent all of last night camped out on the bathroom floor, alternating between crying and puking.

Finishing my plate in record time, I hopped off the stool and headed to the sink, rinsing it and setting it in there. Brushing my bangs out of my face, I told her I'd wait in the car and headed out.

Another day of school, another day of being pregnant.

I was so not ready for this.


"So," Sarah snapped the next morning as we stood at my locker. "Have you decided about our plan?"
"No." I hissed quickly. "It's not going to work!"
"Well, you're going to have to try because we already gave Tim your number."

I felt my mouth drop open almost immediately as I looked around. I didn't even know who Tim was!

"Who's Tim?" I snapped quickly, feeling the fear creep up into my voice.
"Oh. Tim Lyons, you know-the guy who's always hanging out with Liz and Shawn?" Caitlyn added quickly, smiling.

It was amazing how oblivious my friends were when it came to my distaste about something. Either that, or they were just being blatantly ignorant. Sighing, I shook my head and closed my locker.

"I have to go." I mumbled quickly, pushing past them. My stomach was turning again and I wasn't sure if it was from nerves, fear, or the baby inside of me but I barely made it to the bathroom before my breakfast came back up.

This was just not my day.


"Grace?" Someone was calling my name. No, two someone's were calling my name-my best friends and I had no intention of moving.

In all honesty, I wanted nothing more then to go home and sleep. I was exhausted and my stomach wouldn't settle down.

"Grace, are you okay?"

Groaning miserably, I pushed myself to my feet and opened the stall door, eyes narrowed at Sarah and Caitlyn.

"Do I look okay?" I hissed angrily. Quickly glancing under the stalls to make sure no one else was in here, I continued. "I'm pregnant! Of course I'm not okay."

Nodding, Caitlyn handed me a piece of gum which I wasted no time in putting in my mouth. Anything to get rid of that horrible taste. Heading to the sink, I let my books rest against it and quickly dabbed water on my hot cheeks. I was red and flushed and I hated it.

I looked like a cherry.

"And after I specifically told you I didn't want to take part in your stupid plan," I hissed, spinning quickly on my heel to face my two best friends. My back was pressed up against the tiled wall and my arms were folded over my chest. "You did it anyway! God, how can I even trust you guys if you don't listen to what I have to say? You're supposed to be my best friends, not managers of my love life!"

Guiltily looking away, Caitlyn spoke- her voice soft and full of remorse.

"We just want you to be happy." She whispered before looking up at me. I sighed and shook my head.
"Well news flash! I'm not going to be happy for awhile! I'm pregnant!" I snapped. I was angry, no-I was beyond angry, I was pissed.

With a dissatisfied groan, I grabbed my books and motioned for them to leave.

"Let's go." I snapped. "We're late enough as it is."

[freeyoursoul]

Grace.
04.

Nibbling nervously on my lip, I straightened out my outfit as I ran a hand through my hair. Tim had called, and he wanted to know if I would accompany him to the dance tonight. With a defeated sigh, I had agreed and now here I was-waiting for him to show up. I honestly had no idea why I agreed, but I did. Who knows? I thought silently to myself. He could be good for me or something.

I wasn't excited, I was nauseous and a little irritable but not excited in the least. The moment I heard the doorbell ring, I nearly jumped ten feet in the air. Sucking in a sharp breath, I walked to the door and opened it, finding him standing there with a smile on his face and roses in his hand. "Here." He said politely, holding them out to me. "I got them for you."

Slightly confused, I took them and choked out a reply.

"Th-Thank you?" It came out as more of a question then a statement, but I didn't care and apparently neither did he. Handing them to my mother, I gave her a desperate look and headed out the door, feeling my stomach lurch again. I wanted nothing more then to sleep.

But no, I was on a date with a guy I didn't even know.

Crap.


"So, I've heard a lot about you." He said as we sat in the limo on the way to the school. Tim, I was going to assume, was rich-seeing as he had a personal chauffeur and a limo. That, and he bought me real roses. I looked up at him as I swallowed lightly.

"You have?" I asked, my eyebrows knitted together.
"Of course, well-I mean, just from your friends and mine. Liz knows a lot about people." He added, chuckling slightly. I nodded, clearing my throat as the car came to a stop. I waited until someone had opened the door for me before I got out, waiting patiently for Tim to follow.

Heading into the gym, I looked around. It was crowded, full of people dancing and laughing and eating. I felt incredibly out of place. Sucking in a breath, I headed inside with Tim at my side. This was going to be a seriously long night.


It was awkward, that was blatantly obvious but It didn't matter. A few more hours and I would be home and everything would be alright. I watched as he walked off and Jared appeared. I felt my heartbeat quicken automatically as I licked my lips and brushed my bangs out of my eyes.

"Grace." He snapped, smirking. I wanted to slap that smirk off of his face.
"What?" I hissed, exhausted.
"What? I can't say hello to you? You can't tell me you forgot about that night we shared together. I know I didn't."

Grunting in annoyance, I shook my head and blinked back tears.

"Just leave me alone," I croaked out, my voice cloudy with tears. "Please."
"What? We're just talking-" Before he could finish his sentence, Tim showed up.
"Get out of here." He snapped, angrily. "She doesn't want to talk to you."
"And who are you exactly?" He retorted, throwing Tim a smirk. The same, disgusting smirk he gave me.
"I believe I'm Grace's boyfriend." My eyes bugged out immediately as he said the words.
"Boyfriend?" I choked out, surprised. Tim apparently hadn't noticed because he kept on talking.
"Just leave her alone, or we'll have problems."
"What? He snapped, laughing. "Are you seriously threatening me?"
"I don't threaten, I warn."

Laughing, I watched as Jared walked off-shaking his head as he went. I felt my eyes fill back up with tears as Tim turned to face me, a sad smile on his face. "You okay?" He asked gently, rubbing my arm in a comforting manner.

Nodding my head, I chewed nervously on my bottom lip.

"I'm okay, thanks."
"No problem. He's a jerk." He paused for a moment, looking around. "Do you want to dance?"
"I uhm, I don't really dance." I managed, smiling sheepishly. It's true-I didn't dance. I was uncoordinated.
"Neither do I," He said, chuckling. Holding out his hand for me to take, I smiled. "How hard can it be?"

Maybe this night wouldn't be so bad after all.

[freeyoursoul]

Grace.
05.

Never in my life did I think about an abortion, never in my life did I expect I'd get one. But here, three weeks later after several successful dates with Tim who was now officially my boyfriend, I was filled with fear. The downtown clinic was in Brooklyn New York was a rather quiet place for it being in such a loud city. I wish I could say it was peaceful, reassuring, but there was nothing reassuring about killing a child.

I sucked in a breath as I glanced over at Tim. He was holding my hand as I sat uncomfortably in the metal chair, waiting for my name to be called. He kept telling me to talk to my parents, to think about my decision before I did this, but my mind was already made up.

The baby had to go.



I couldn't do it. I tried, but I couldn't. I couldn't kill my baby. I felt my eyes fill up with tears as I folded my arms over my shirt. I'd asked the doctor to send Tim back. I needed him, I need him to take me home. Tim was 16 and he had a car.

"Tim?" I croaked out as the door opened slowly. He nodded and stepped in, closing the door behind him.
"What's going on?" He asks gently, rushing over to pull me into a warm hug. Shaking my head, I sobbed into the crook of his neck, one hand sliding down to rest on my stomach. Clearing my throat, I sniffled.

"Can you take me home?" I whispered.
"Sure," He said, giving me a small, sad smile. "Did you...?"
"No." I choked out. "I couldn't..."
"Alright well, I'm not going to say I told you so-but I think you should talk to your parents."
"Can you just take me home?" I repeated, no longer wanting to talk.

Licking my lips, I watched as he nodded his head and lowered his arm so that it was now around my waist, holding me closely to him as we headed out of the clinic. I was exhausted and wanted to sleep for about a year. Everything was bad right now and I was still pregnant.

How lovely.



I knew eventually I'd have to tell my parents but I don't intend for it to be right now. Sighing, I said goodbye to Tim, kissed him lightly on the lips and headed inside of the house to find it surprisingly empty. When I told Tim about the pregnancy it was our third date and rumors had been flying around the school for awhile. He was surprisingly alright with the fact, saying he'll be there to support me in whatever it was I do.

I just hoped my parents would be this way when I told them. Sniffling, I headed into the living room, finding my sister sitting on the couch with a blanket wrapped around her. The house, was otherwise empty.

"Can I ask you something?" She asked, quietly. Looking at her, I nodded, brushing my bangs out of my eyes.
"Uhm, okay?" I mumbled, chuckling nervously with slight confusion evident in my voice.
"Are you pregnant?" I felt my eyes go wide immediately. "Because you've been getting sick a lot lately and I mean, you've got boobs and all you do is eat. Just, tell me the truth. Are you?"

Squeezing my eyes shut, I fell down beside her on the couch and pulled my knees to my chest, nodding slowly. This was not how I wanted her to find out.

[freeyoursoul]

Update coming soon.

[lovestory]

Great story so far!
Also how do you post the links for the pics?

[Aderabaybee]

It's the same way we do it on IDF.

[caitlynj]

This is really good. Please post more.

[freeyoursoul]

Thanks guys! I'll update tomorrow or so.

[freeyoursoul]

Grace.
06.

My sister knew. My thirteen year old sister now knew I was pregnant. God, how more screwed up could this get? I felt my heart drop to my stomach as I brushed my bangs out of my eyes, sighing sadly. I felt my eyes water as I thought over my situation. I knew I'd need to tell my parents soon, I mean-it was really only a matter of time, but I couldn't do that now. Soon, didn't mean today. At least not for me.

"Grace?"

I froze the moment I heard a knock on my door. The slight creek indicated someone was coming in before I even had the time to turn around. I sucked in a breath, blinked back tears that had yet to fall and slowly turned on my heel to face whoever had just entered. I felt my breath hitch when I realized it was my mother.

Crap.

"Honey, are you alright? You've been cooped up in your room for hours. Did you and Tim have a fight or something?" I swallowed hard, shaking my head as I plastered on a fake smile and wiped my sweating palms on my jeans that were getting tighter by the minute.

"No, we-we're fi-fine." I stammered. I knew I had to calm myself down before I gave too much away. Exhaling softly, I watched as my mother sat herself on the edge of my bed and patted a spot beside her for me to sit down.

Chewing nervously on my lip, I smiled weakly and joined her, tensing when she draped an arm around my shoulder.

"Well, is there anything else bothering you that I should know about?" My head immediately snapped to look at her, and I felt fear creeping up my spine as my stomach turned. Not now, I pleaded in my head. Please not now.

"Honey?" Her hand on my shoulder made me cringe lightly as I felt my eyes fill back up with tears. Sniffling, I opened my mouth-ready to speak, only to be cut off by the sound of my sister's voice.

"What's...going on?" She asked hesitantly. Even she could feel the tension in the room as I glanced over at her with watery eyes. She took the hint and her eyes turned to daggers immediately. My mother shrugged as I sucked in a breath, shaking my head lightly to silently indicate to Ashley that I hadn't told.

I couldn't. At least not right now.



"What are you doing?" She hissed, grabbing me by the forearm. I cringed lightly at the contact as my sister pulled me into the living room, away from my now bickering parents. It'd been ten minutes since she interrupted my 'almost confession,' to my mother and I was still shaking.

"Ashley, they have to know!" I snapped, feeling my heartbeat quicken. Ashley sighed, slapping my arm lightly.

"No, they don't." She retorted, running a hand through her brown, tousled hair. I sighed, defeated and licked my lips. "At least not now." She whispered.

I nodded, wiping at my eyes, before pulling my now ringing phone out of my back pocket. Holding up a finger to my sister to signal for her to hold on a moment, I disappeared down the hall so I could have a little more privacy.

"Hello?"

"Grace?" It was Tim. I felt a smile graze my face lightly.

"Yeah?"

"I was wondering, and I know it's kind of last minute and everything-but did you possibly want to hang out tomorrow? Go to the park for a picnic or something?"

Biting down on my lip to contain my smile, I nodded only to realize he couldn't see me. Sucking in a breath, I brushed my bangs away from my face again and replied.

"Sure. What time?"

"Uhm, is noon okay?"

"Noon's great."

"Great!" He snapped, rather enthusiastically. I chuckled lightly.

"Okay, I'll see you then."

"Yeah, see you."

Grinning widely, I hung up the phone and sucked in a breath before returning towards my sister who was still standing in the living room.

"What'd he want?"

"Who?"

"You know, Tim? The guy you're all grinning over?"

"Oh." I paused, chuckling softly. "He wants to go to the park tomorrow, for a picnic."

"Oh how sweet." She smirked, rather sarcastically. "Does he know...about the..." She paused and I felt my smile fade quickly, nodding my head.

It was inevitable really. Tim knew, my sister knew, my two best friends knew-now the only people who needed to know were my parents, but to be honest-I wasn't sure if I could tell them. Now, or at all.

[freeyoursoul]

Grace.
07.

It was 6am, the time my mother was normally up cooking breakfast and getting ready for the day. I sat at the table in the kitchen, bundled in my blue robe. I knew it was only a matter of time before she noticed me. Sniffling softly, I watched as she padded into the room, rustling around for a few moments with the coffee pot before turning in my direction. She jumped back for a moment, startled before speaking-her voice raspy and groggy.

"Grace?" She whispered. "Grace, honey, why are you sitting here in the dark?"

I sniffled again, wiping away tears that were rapidly falling down my cheeks. This was bad, this was all so bad but I knew I needed to do it. It's been a week. Another full week of keeping this secret and I couldn't do it any longer-it was becoming too obvious, too noticeable.

"I'm having a baby." I whispered, my voice barely audible.
"What?" She asked, slightly confused. "I'm sorry, I didn't really hear you all that well. I just woke up."
"I'm having a baby." I repeated, a little louder then before.
"What?" She choked out, walking from around the counter to sit at the table with me. "You're kidding right? You're fifteen, you can't be having a baby. What is this? Some sort of project for school?"

Choking on a sob, I shook my head. This was possibly the hardest and scariest thing I've ever done, but I knew I had no choice. It was almost over, I told myself repeatedly.

"I'm having a baby." I sobbed, quietly. "I'm pregnant."

Her face fell almost immediately as tears dripped down her cheeks and never before had I felt so guilty and horrible. I made my mother cry! My own mother!

"You can't be pregnant!" She repeated, yelling loudly. "You're fifteen!"
"I'm sorry." I whispered. "I'm so, so sorry."
"How did this happen?" She choked out, her voice growing softer.
"Sex?" It came out as more of a question then a statement.
"Who's the father?" She asked quickly. "Is it Tim?"

I shook my head, sucking in a breath.

"No. It's not Tim."
"Then who?"
"Jared...a guy I met over the summer." She sighed, sadly.
"You know we'll have to tell your father about this. Does your sister know?" I nodded my head slowly, ashamed. "Who all knows?"
"Uhm," I paused, sniffling. "Well, Tim...Ashley, Caitlyn, Sarah and pretty much the rest of the school." I croaked, a small sad laugh falling from my lips. I was so pathetic. "And Dr. Meyers."
"Dr. Meyers, knows? When did you see her?"
"About 12 weeks ago, she confirmed the pregnancy and told me how far along I was."
"Christ, Grace. How could this happen?"
"Mommy," I whispered, crying a fresh set of tears. "I'm sorry. I didn't do this on purpose! It just happened!"

She nodded, running a hand through her hair as she wiped at her eyes. "Go upstairs," She whispered. "Go back to bed. I'll call your father and have him come home."

Sniffling, I stood to my feet and without another word, walked out of the kitchen and towards my bedroom. What have I done?



Five hours and sixteen minutes later was when I woke up again. I glanced out my window rather quickly, noticing my father hadn't come home yet. Glancing at the clock on the end table beside my bed, I sighed sadly. It was 11:16am and somehow, I was still exhausted. Shaking my head, I padded towards my desk-grabbing the bottle of prenatal's out of the drawer and popping one in my mouth. I'd gotten them awhile back, about a few days after I found out about my pregnancy. Whether I was going to keep it or not was still up for debate, but I still knew I needed to take care of it.

Heading for my bathroom, I turned on the shower-waiting a moment for it to heat up. My throat was dry and raw and my nose was red and stuffy from crying. My eyes looked like two cotton balls and my head was pounding. I was hoping a nice, hot shower would do the trick.

I was in and out within minutes, noting that it was probably the fastest shower I'd ever taken. Heading towards my closet, I quickly pulled on the outfit I'd chosen the night before and headed downstairs. My mother was standing in the kitchen, talking on the phone with my father while I headed towards the fridge, wanting to find something to eat. I groaned miserably as I glanced down at my protruding stomach. It'd gotten so big over the past few months and now it was only going to get worse. Sighing sadly, I brushed my bangs out of my face and grabbed a banana, peeling it back and taking a small bite out of it.

Turning around, I noticed my mother had hung up the phone.
"Honey," She began, chuckling softly. "You need to eat more then just a banana."

I sighed, shrugging. I didn't know what I wanted to eat, just that I was hungry.

"Want me to fix you something? Like eggs and bacon?"
"Okay." I croaked out, finish the banana and putting the peel in the trash can. "Mom." Her head snapped up immediately.
"Hmm?"
"Is dad coming home?" She nodded her head sadly as I felt my eyes well up with tears. If anyone was going to get mad in the family, it would be him. I felt my breath hitch as I heard the door open only to be shut again moments later.

He walked into the kitchen, breathless.

"Alright, cap gave me an hour. What's the emergency?" He asked, kissing my mom lightly on the forehead before turning to me. I looked up at him, a fresh set of tears dripping down my cheeks.

"Daddy." I whispered. "I'm sorry. I messed everything up!"

Throwing a glance back at my mother, she sighed and pulled him into the other room-away from me. She hadn't start to make breakfast yet but at the moment, I didn't care. My appetite had suddenly gone away.

It seemed like an hour before my father came back into the room, but when he did I immediately tensed up. I was waiting for him to start screaming, yelling, telling me to get out-because it seemed like the most logical thing at the moment, but he never did. Instead, he walked over to me and pulled me into a much needed hug. I lost it completely, apologizing over and over again as I stained his shirt with my tears.

"Honey," He whispered, cupping my cheeks in his hands so that I was now looking at him again. "I'm not mad. I'm slightly disappointed, but I'm not mad. Okay?"
"Okay." He smiled weakly.
"Now, why don't we sit down here and eat as a family, and then I'll go back into work and we discuss this more later. Does that sound good?"

Sniffling, I nodded, thanking him when he handed me a tissue to blow my nose on. Scrunching his face up in disgust, he murmured an 'oh, that's just gross,' which caused me to laugh, before disappearing to bring my half unconscious sister down the stairs. I smiled weakly at him and wiped my eyes before digging into my food.

I couldn't help it, despite the sucky situation-I had to admit, my parents really were very surprising at times and this, this was definitely one of those times.