April

"So what are you going to do?" Leah asked sipping on her cup of coffee.

It was new year's first morning and we were in a café we always hung out before when things were less complicated. I sighed as I stared blankly at my own cup of cappuccino struggling to think or process things in my mind. Was there really no way out?

"April, at least drink that." Jayson shook me by shoulder as if I was sleeping, which I think I was. I was mentally sleeping even when my eyes appeared wide awake.

My heart ached with every breath. When last night was over and I woke up the today surrounded by both my best friends for a moment I laughed in my head thinking how great it would be if my problems disappeared. How great it would be if Christian was safe and not in the hospital. How great it would be if Dad and Austin were at home making breakfast together for us and I would go home so we could eat and enjoy our little family reunion.

How great it would be if mom was alive...

"April?!" Jayson's voice rung loudly in my ear an my eyes snapped at him.

"What?" I nonchalantly asked.

"Your tears are going to get into your cappuccino."

My eyes immediately turned down at the cup and all of a sudden my cheek felt wet. Was I crying? I didn't realize when tears had made their way out.

"Sorry." I rubbed my sleeve onto my face getting rid of the stupid tears.

"So when are you going back to LA?" I propped my hand on the table and rested my head over it. Change of subject was necessary. No matter how tough that another subject was. Jayson going back to LA was another blow I had to endure.

His eyes changed instantly as if I had something I shouldn't have. He scratched the back of his head and finished drinking his espresso in one go.

"Jayson?" Leah sensed it too.

"What's wrong Jay?" I brought his hand closer to me. It was shaking.

"Well, um, things are not good back there. They are, um well, kind of falling apart." He stuttered.

"What?" Leah and I exclaimed in unison.

"Yeah. I don't think I'm going back there ever." His eyes were dead. I had a hunch that something was wrong. He never mentioned about his life there on the phone and whenever we asked he would change the subject.

"What happened? Is your Dad okay?" Leah got up from her seat and dragged it near him as I let go of his hand. She sat down closer to him and put her hands around his shoulder.

"No. He's...he has become hopeless without mom. She definitely knew this would happen. That's why she let him have the custody so easily." He stabbed the table with his hands.

"Baby, calm down." Leah murmured. "What exactly happened?"

"Well, Dad started working in a new firm but apparently they didn't like his work. They hired him just because he had experience. Eventually fights started between him and other employees. He even had a fight with his boss." Jayson stared at me with empty eyes.

Jayson's father was a journalist and his mother was a lawyer. Obviously she got her way with the divorce.

"Then he started drinking. He used to come home really late and mess around the house. Screaming how he still loved mom and she didn't." He sighed clutching his face in his hands.

"So what about your school?" I asked.

"I didn't go to one. I used to self-study there and after holidays Mom is going to talk to our principal about continuing my education here." He quietly said.

I was a horrible friend. Living with his mother was going to be rough for him yet I was ecstatic that he wasn't going back. I heard myself internally squealing but didn't show it on my face.

"That's terrible. You have to live with that bitch again?" Leah cursed, and Jayson gave her a tired look.

"Enough about me. Long story short I'm going to be here now." He kissed Leah on the cheek.

"I am so happy about that, though! I missed you like hell these past months." She slightly pecked him on his lips.

I smiled remembering him out of nowhere. He lived in my mind rent free. Whenever I wished he would pop up in my mind and start making me blush for no reason.

No.

There was a reason.

"That's great guys but, get a room!" I teased them as Leah giggled.

At least someone was happy, I thought.

"Sorry Ap. Let's no get carried away okay?" Jayson pinched her cheek and she nodded at him.

"I'm going to visit Austin now. I need to talk to uncle and if possible, my Dad." I huffed thinking about facing uncle George again. Not to mention his little bitch of a daughter.

"I get what happened to your brother but what did they do to your Dad?" Jayson asked looking into the space, deep in thought.

"I'm not sure myself. I hope it's not something harmful. He's been sleeping since Christmas. He should be up now so I can meet him. At least that's what I'm hoping." I rambled out as panic slightly kicked in. What if Dad was in grave danger, and I was unaware of it. What if I lose him?

"I've got to go." I stumbled as I got up too quickly. "See you guys later."

"Wait." Jayson's hand curled around my wrist and halted me in my steps.

"I'm coming with you." He started wearing his jacket.

"No you are not. Stay with Leah." I retorted.

"I'm not asking you Ap. It's too dangerous. Your uncle and that crazy bitch Gracie can do anything to you. You can't go in there alone. You can't. I won't let you. Besides, Leah doesn't need me right now. She's safe at her house." Jayson said without looking at his girlfriend.

"But-"

"April, I am fine with it. You need someone with you." Leah sounded understanding after a long time.

"Thanks. See you darling." She got up to hug me and I melted in her arms smelling her familiar scent of perfume.

As we approached the place near the outskirts of this town, it came down in me that I was absolutely afraid of going there again. Jayson was right. If I had come alone, it would have taken so many hours to go in.

Jayson's presence made me relax knowing that I wasn't going to be on my own. On the other hand his safety was endangered, and it was killing me from inside.

He pulled up, and we got out of his car. I hesitated as I glanced up at the gigantic building. It felt more scary because of the monster who lived there.

Jayson started walking before he noticed I wasn't moving from my place and turned around. "April?"

"I'm scared a little. Give me a minute." I gave him a half-hearted smile before started taking deep breaths.

Was I scared to go in or was I afraid of hearing what might have happened to Dad?

Jayson enveloped me into a tight hug suddenly and I gasped. "Jay Jay?"

"Don't, call me that." I couldn't see his face, but I felt his smile.

"I missed you Jayson." I swallowed a lump in my throat.

"I missed you too Ap." He slightly turned his head to kiss me on my cheek, but I turned my head at the same time and our lips brushed.

Oh no.

I pushed him away gently feeling guilty how my lips were trembling against his.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to." He mumbled avoiding eye contact with me and it was cute and awkward and stupid at the same time. I laughed it off and took his hand in mine.

"Thanks for being here Jayson'."

"Pleasure is all mine." He grinned as we headed inside.

___END OF CHAPTER___