She says nothing and looks down at her feet. I shake my head in disgust.
The suitcase behind me stumbles on the front steps but I keep it as a barrier between me and my father who’s still following behind me.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“You are not allowed to leave this house, Charlotte.”
“I’m eighteen. I’m doing what I want. Donotfollow me or you’ll regret it,” I snarl viciously, gritting my teeth.
The heavy words sink in. He takes a step away from me and shuts up, keeping some distance at last.
I throw my suitcase in the front seat, jump in and slam my car in reverse. My mother’s nowhere to be found. Only my dad can be seen standing on the front doorstep huffing and puffing in rage, his fists curled tightly at his sides, knuckles stark white. His eyes look crazed, untamed and terrifying like someone who would murder you in a second if you looked at them the wrong way.
Tears roll down my cheeks, my breath already catching in my throat as I try my hardest to hold back the violent sobs shaking my throat. I shouldn’t have done it, but I glance behind me as I back out of the place that used to be my safe space to stare at the man I used to know. That man is not the man who raised me. I don’tknow who that is or what happened to make him this way in such a short time.
I drive toward the farm, leaving the people who used to be my everything in the rearview mirror, and praying Ben will be the haven I need right now because I don’t know where else to go.
Chapter Eighteen.
I don’t feel anything. My mind becomes a black void of nothingness, leaving me numb, and in a daze. Is this even real? Am I dreaming?
I can’t remember how I got here, and the world is spinning.
I lean forward in my car, resting my forehead on my fingers gripping the steering wheel and let it all out, sobbing so hard I can’t breathe. My heart breaks into pieces. It’s shredding and ripping itself apart and there’s nothing I can do to stop it. So, I let my body do what it needs to as I continue to cry, heaving and gagging from my stomach twisting so viciously in between my gasping breaths.
A voice in the distance calls my name, echoing onto the walls of my heart while it tries to hold whatever pieces are left together. Arms wrap around my shoulders and stay there, holding me as I release all theemotions I’ve been keeping down about my parents and our now deteriorated relationship.
“Come here, baby,” Ben voices from somewhere far away. Arms curl underneath my knees and around my ribs as he lifts me out of the car. I bury my neck into his, wetting his shirt with my tears and trying to escape into his scent.
He carries me into the house straight to his bedroom, shutting the door with his foot and lays me down on his bed, holding me as the little spoon until I calm down.
I inhale deeply, soaking him in. Bit by bit, his cologne calms me, peace slowly wandering its way through my body, getting the shaking to dwindle.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Ben whispers, kissing the top of my head.
“My father was treating me like a prisoner. He told me I had a curfew of eleven, that I wasn’t allowed to have my phone after that time, and I was only allowed to see you max three times a weekandthose visits had to be supervised. So, I packed a bag and left. I couldn’t stand the feeling of being treated like that. I’m eighteen. I’ve graduated. I believe I have a right to my own freedom especially since I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong.” I pause, second guessing myself. “You should’ve seen my father’s face, Ben. He looked at me like I committedsome heinous crime. I-I just can’t figure out what I did to make him so angry because his reasonings didn’t make any sense. Did I do something wrong? Did I deserve all that?”
He squeezes me tightly, stroking my hair and lightly brushing his fingertips over my back. “No, you haven’t done anything wrong, baby. He was being extremely unfair. Ever since I’ve known your dad he’s been the most laid-back guy ever. This is very out of character for him. What did your mom say? Did she agree with him?”
“Pfftt…” I scoff into his warm chest. “There was only one time she tried to stand up for me, but she backed down immediately. Otherwise, she did absolutely nothing. She just fucking stood there. I know she loves my dad but to see her be a complete pushover disgusted me. She’s supposed to protect me and instead she did nothing.” Small sobs resurface. “I don’t know what I’m going to do, Ben,” I whisper, barely audible.
“Well, obviously, you’re going to stay here… with me,” he says so confident and sure about his spontaneous plan.
I came here with nowhere else to go, not even thinking about my next steps. I was scared he’d turn meaway. That he’d be uncomfortable with me coming to him with this heavy drama, but I should’ve known better.
I tilt my neck back and look at him. “Really?”
“Absolutely.” He smiles brightly.
“I’m gonna take care of you. Don’t worry about it. You can stay here as long as you need to.” He presses a soft kiss on my lips and brushes his nose against mine affectionately.
“Don’t you need to ask your parents?”
“I actually already asked them last week. I obviously had no idea something like this would happen, but I asked them if you could start staying overnight here after graduation and they said ‘Sure, as long as we’re responsible.’” He winks, waggling his eyebrows.
I’m floored. He had the balls to ask his parents if I could stay over before this all happened? Well, it was probably because he was sick of getting up at four in the morning every day, but still. What an amazing human and boyfriend. He must really like me. The small strings of my heart vibrate as they start connecting in hopes they can meld back together.
