invisible string • Gracie Abrams

033 no love

"johnathan, sit down, you've said enough. sweetie, just break up with her and me and your father will help clear everything up online. maybe you could date that um caleb boy, he's a nice kid, always looking out for you," her mother said with a caring smile. "we can tell everyone online it was all just some fake news. how about i go make you some tea and we can go get your mind off things?"

"you don't love me then?" charlotte said to her dad, ignoring her mom as jude lightly tugged at the back of her shirt, hoping she wouldn't stand up like her dad.

"i said i love you, i love both of you, you just can't be doing shit like this charlotte, c'mon grow up!" mr. parker yelled, waving his arm and scoffing. "i don't want you to ever speak to her again. give me your phone."

charlotte laughed, unable to believe what he just said, "what?"

"give me your phone. now. i'm deleting her contact and whatever else of her is in it."

"yeah well, it's not like i don't got the money for a new phone and have her number memorized. besides it's all on my laptop, what're you going to do, wipe all my storage in my devices," she scoffed.

"who do you think you are running your mouth like that to your father, huh?" stepping way too close for comfort to her.

"i'm not running away from her, she's my girlfriend!"

"she's a bitch. just like her family."

"no, you're the fucking bitch who loves his fucking big rep and fame more than his daughter," charlotte yelled, now standing up as tears finally broke though when her voice cracked.

out of no where, mr. parker's hand slapped right across charlottes cheek, "YOU DO NOT SPEAK TO ME LIKE THAT!"

"dad!" jude yelled, standing up and placing his hands on charlottes arms, trying to step in front of her.

"johnathan!" mrs. parker shrieked as she too now stood up clasped her hands over her mouth. "you hit her?!"

"well if that'll knock some sense into her."

charlotte was unable to speak, her headache now intensified as it throbbed and her ears rang. all she wanted right now was gracie, to hide in her apartment in her arms where it's safe.

"i don't care what it'll take to get through to you, i'll put a tracker in your car and phone, i'll have your security prevent you from ever seeing her again. you're going to grow up and realize it's the right thing to do. and your premiere this saturday? bring marcus or caleb as your date, literally any other boy but her."

charlotte met his gaze, tears streaming down her eyes as her hands trembled.

"i'm just looking out for you honey, alright?" he said, feeling the smallest bit of regret in hitting her, placing his hand in her shoulder despite it flinching. "i love you, you know that, c'mon."

she swallowed the lump in her throat, knowing that there was nothing else she could say to make him agree with what she was saying. so she nodded, just wanting this to be over with. she didn't know what she was going to do after this, too scared now to go to gracie's.

"good. c'mon, how about we help you clear things up online," he said, his tone dropping to normal.

charlotte shook her head, "i'm just gonna go get some a-air real quick," she mumbled, quickly walking away upstairs to her old bedroom and onto her balcony. she heard jude's footsteps come rushing after her.

he reached her on the balcony, shutting the door and getting her to face him, "hey, hey." he looked at her red cheek and cringed, "that was... a lot."

she moved out of his space and leaned against the railing, "yeah."