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Chapter 3

l click the remote as images float by, one by one. l watch the screen as memories of me with my parents appear. It's like watching a dream, something you can see but it's unattainable.

The world seems different already. It's like l have been living in some else's body while enjoying their life. Nothing on the inside has changed though, l still wish my mom was here to hug me while dad would assure me that everything was going to be fine.

"They weren't your parents"

"No" l scream the loudness of my voice startling me. "They w-were m-my parents "l mumble to myself.

l can't breathe

l clutch my chest with my hands in order to stop my raging heart .

l lost my parents but turns out they weren't even mine to lose.

Enable to take it anymore l run.

l run out of the house.

l run until l can't anymore.

A scream rips out of my throat as l fall on my knees. The night is dark and no one seems to be outside as l cry my heart out. l screw my eyes shut trying to shut out my brain. l sob clawing and clawing at my chest.

"You weren't my parents " l scream with hot tears streaming down my cheeks. l struggle to stand bombarded with a series of fake memories.

"Why didn't you tell me, why did you lie, l had a right to know " l scream staring at the sky. My whole life was a lie. My whole life is a lie.

l don't know how and when l got home but l wake up on their bed again. Nothing has changed though, l am still alone and the letter is still right where l left it.

All l can see in this house is the memories of the life we had built together. l see mom cooking in the kitchen while dad and l distract her with our games and laughter. l see dad hogging the remote because he wants to watch football while mom and l try to snatch it from him to watch our favorite drama series. l see mom and dad jumping on top of my bed when l refuse to wake up for school.

l jumped at the sound of a car horn. l wrench the covers off and move out of the bed but the room spins and l grab on the drawer for support shutting my eyes to stop the nausea.

Moving into the bathroom l can't help but stare in the mirror. l don't recognize the girl l see though. The girl who had it all parents , money, friends. The girl who aspired to travel the world. The girl who had so many dreams and hopes.

My chest aches because l don't see her no matter how much l try. If mom saw me considering how pale and disheveled l look she would be like. "If you think that look will attract a cute and handsome boy then you're mistaken young lady"

And dad would be like "l think you look beautiful angel and l still stick with my earlier statement, boys have cooties.

And mom would narrow her eyes at him.

l clutch the edge of the sink as dad's words cut through me, my stomach lurches as the nightmare flashes back. The reality becomes so painful and terrifying.

My mom was never my mother. Why didn't she tell me though. How could she keep a secret like that from me after all the things we have been through ever since dad was diagnosed with cancer.

The room spins and l enter the shower full clothed in ice cold water trying to drown the questions, the pain and the images flooding my head.

The room flies open 20 minutes later and a pissed off Ashton enters. "l have been knocking for an hour or so, what have you been doing " he paces and l snuggle deeper into the blankets.

"It's been close to 30 minutes Ash and could you please leave me alone, am not good company at the moment." l murmur.

"l bet you do" he says climbing in the bed and joining me inside the covers. He pulls me towards him and l lay my head on his chest.

Ashton has been my best friend since forever. We grew up together, in the same neighborhood and attended the same schools and our parents have the same status in our society. We're practically the perfect fit and our parents expected us to be a couple by this time but we valued our friendship more.

"Stop shutting me out "he says sadly.

"l just want to wallow in self pity and forget about this week" l say closing my eyes.

"Well we can do it together "he says kissing my head and for the first time in more than a week l smile and drift of into meaningless sleep.

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