It All Started With a Diary

anything

I shook my head as I watched him through the window. "He didn't even tell me about it."

Celeste placed a warm hand on my shoulder, squeezing once. "I don't think he cared if you knew, baby."

I said nothing, feeling my chest warm as I examined Kade closely. His attention was on Griff and Shay as the two argued, his lips pulled into a smirk. As if he felt my stare, he turned, his eyes meeting mine before he erased the smirk, and instead offered a half-smile.

I couldn't help my grin from following up in return. "Thank you. I have to admit I'm real excited to leave for a while."

Celeste placed her hand on mine. "You deserve it, honey." I nodded in appreciation, raising my gaze.

But, when I looked into her eyes, there was a sadness lingering there.

I turned to face her entirely. "Is something wrong?"

She fixed her composure, plastering a fake smile on her face. "No, no. Everything's fine."

I sighed, crossing my arms. "Celeste."

I felt my worries only increase as her hands came to my face. Her thumb swiped at my cheek as she gave me a sympathetic smile.

"I don't want to ruin your mood...and I didn't want to tell you until..." she paused again, making my heart skip. "Until I knew for sure."

"Uh...you're kind of scaring me, Celeste," I chuckled to relieve the pressure in my chest.

Her skin began to flush. She grasped my shoulders, her expression falling. "Please, please don't let this ruin your vacation, but...your mom is here. In town."

What?

I blinked. That was all I could do before my ears started to ring.

"I'm not sure how she found you, but she did. She knew that she couldn't approach you directly, so she came here yesterday," her words were slow, careful as if I were going to break if she said it too fast. But, it didn't matter. 

My mom was here. Somewhere in this town. We were both in the same place.

Celeste's warm hands gripped either side of my face as she examined me for any sign of reaction. "Baby, talk to me."

I felt my steps cease until I hit the wall behind me. My eyes searched over my surroundings, as if my mother would just pop out and surprise me.

What was she doing here? Hadn't she taken enough from me?

No, of course not. My mother was one who drained you until there was nothing left, but a corpse.

My arms gripped my stomach to at least try to provide a sense of protection. As if I were adding some type of comfort to myself. To that little girl.

"What..." I had to pause as my throat thickened with cotton. "What does she want?"

Celeste stepped closer to me, wiping my cheek for what I guessed were stray tears. "You."

"What the fuck else could she want from me? She's already taken everything." I hated my voice as I spit the words out. So much hatred, and so many memories.