Authors Note: So guys, I am extremely proud of these next few chapters I am about to upload. I just found this insane passion for them and I hope you'll love reading them as much as I loved writing them. As always, thank you for your continued support for this story and for always giving your incredible feedback; I appreciate you all immensely. -Carrie
I awoke to the smell of delicious aromas from downstairs in the kitchen. My dad had always been an incredible cook but after mom he seemed to lose his passion for it. That led to getting take out basically every night which would later be the reason behind my pimple prone skin but that's besides the point. I suppose since our relationship had slowly but surely been improving recently he thought about whipping up my favorite dish for dinner; chicken with Alfredo sauce and a side of home made potatoes and corn. It used to be the dinner he would cook every year on my birthday but after mom got sick and she finally succumbed to her illness life wasn't the same and those old memories we shared together were put on the back burner. He hadn't made the meal since; well til now I guess. My mouth watered just thinking about how incredible it would taste. However, I wouldn't get the chance to find out. It was already 7:15 and the park was a good 10 minutes away from my place. I slipped my phone into my back pocket and pulled on my worn out Paramore hoodie before sauntering down the stairs to face my father.
"Hey princess, dinner will be done in 5 minutes. Mind setting the table?"
I knew what I was about to tell my dad would break his heart yet again; I seemed to excel at being a horrible daughter.
"Dad, that's actually what I came down here to talk to you about. I have to meet up with Adam to discuss something very important; it's kind of an emergency."
"Couldn't you just go after dinner?" he asked hopefully.
"I sorta kind of promised him I would be there by 7:30. Is it okay if I go?"
He just sighed at me and looked at me disappointedly. I could see the sadness that had come over him. I almost started tearing at the sight of it but I had to be strong so he would let me go.
"Yeah kiddo. That's fine, I was gonna watch the game anyways." he lied blatantly. "Just be safe, okay? Whoever killed that guy is still out there somewhere and I don't wanna lose you; I can't."
"Dad, I promise I will be safe and will call you if anything goes wrong. I love you daddy, I truly do; please never forget that."
I slipped out the front door and gingerly started to make my way to the alley. It hurt me knowing I was hurting my dad. It was never my intention to break his heart constantly. I suppose I never learned to grieve over my mother properly and it most definitely affected my relationship with my dad in an extremely negative way. Maybe I needed counseling or something. I've been a pretty fucked up kid ever since than. I vowed to myself then and there I would make more of an effort to reconnect with my dad; I owed him at least after all the shit I put him through over the years. My mom is probably so disappointed in me. I mean, why wouldn't she be? I was a screw up and I abandoned the only person I had in the world for no reason. Thinking about how both my parents must be so heartbroken at the girl I'd become made me feel absolutely worthless inside. I began to cry; full out cry, just right there, on the middle of the sidewalk. I rarely cried because I thought it was a form of weakness. I didn't like to seem weak so I tended to keep all my emotions bottled up inside. I guess they finally caught up with me cause I've never cried as much as I did right then. How utterly embarrassing? Crying in the middle of my neighborhood where anyone could see me. I rubbed at my eyes with the sleeves of my sweatshirt and wiped off from underneath my nose where a mess of goop had formed. I probably looked like some hagrid beast. Before I could even realize I stopped in place recognizing where I was; the alley by the park.