Alex's pov
"Shawn! My man," I greeted Shawn on the phone.
"I just landed," he said.
"Great, how was your flight?" I asked.
"Good man, this whole trip was something," he said.
My heart was swimming in the ocean of nervousness.
"So, how about you catch up with your family and friends and I'll text you where we'll meet," I said.
"That sounds great," he said.
His voice sounded more professional, which raised an eyebrow.
"Hey, Shawn," I called.
"Yes?" He asked.
"Welcome back buddy!" I exclaimed.
"Thank you sir," he said and I disconnected the call. Sir? Something doesn't seem right.
"Are you alright sir?" Jeff asked.
"Yeah I'm fine," I tightened my jaw.
"You don't look fine," he said.
"I don't pay you to ask me about my well being," I said firmly.
"I'm sorry," he apologized.
"Anything else?" I asked as I was about to head upstairs.
"It's just," he paused.
"What Jeff?" I asked.
"The physio left a message for you," he stuttered.
"Do I have to ask what message?" He was starting to really annoy me with his half sentences.
"He said you must call him and it's about you missing the appointment," he said.
"I can walk can't I? Look at me, if he calls tell him I don't need him!" I exclaimed.
"Yes sir, oh and sir," he called.
"What?" I turned around.
"What would you like to eat tonight?" He asked.
"Just do your job Jeff and stop calling me sir!" I exclaimed.
"My apologies, can I say something sir? I mean Mr?" He asked.
"What now," I exhaled.
"If that girl causes you to be like this, she's not worth it," he said.
"What did you just say?!" I got close to him.
"I didn't-" I felt my nails penetrating my inner hand.
"Mind your own business Jeff!" I pushed him backwards.
"Look at you, look at your eyes, this morning you were so happy to go see her but look at you now, I almost don't recognize you,and it's only been like a few hours," he had the nerve.
I stepped back and gave him a chuckle. I then go close to him, fixed his tie.
"Don't you ever... I'm warning you Jeff! Don't make me consider another chef," I said and walked away.
I went straight to my room, anger boiling inside of, I punched the wall and regretted it later.
I blasted music on maximum volume, I couldn't even hear my self think and that's what I want because I know I'll think about her. As I lay on my bed facing the ceiling and the unbearable pain on my hand. I'm glad I didn't take it all out on Jeff. God knows how I don't want to be friends with her, I want to love her. What's wrong with me!? Mom I can't wait to come and fetch you where ever you are.
I wonder where she is, but thanks to Shawn I'll know soon. Shawn's job was to locate her exactly where she stays, follow her every move and know where she is everytime.
Tasha's pov
"He told you to what?" Q exclaimed.
"Q please, I don't have the energy," I pulled the cover over my head. Yes, I was in bed, after crying I finally had enough and decided to go upstairs but not after calling my best friend.
Who I was being rude to but she keeps asking me the same things over and over.
"So what are you going to do?" She asked.
"Right now, I'm just going to sleep," I closed my sore eyes.
"I'm so sorry," she gently brushed my hair.
"What would you do Q?" I asked.
"I don't know, but T you're old enough to make your own choices," she said.
"I just don't get how one moment we were talking nicely and then boom!" I sat up.
"Don't worry sweetly pie, you'll get it. Now have some rest, you have plenty of time to think," she smiled.
"Please stay, I don't want to think about what just happened, I want to forget," I said.
"I can't darling,you have to think this through," she said.
"Okay but please support what ever decision I make,"I begged.
"You got it," she waved goodbye.
I heard her close the front door, I stopped myself from crying again.
I closed my eyes...
~*~
I slowly opened my eyes as mom woke me up.
"Sweety are you okay?" She asked.
"Yeah I'm fine," I said.
"You don't look fine Tasha," she said.
"Mom please," I yawned.
"Okay, please come downstairs and see my dress," she was cheery.
"You went dress shopping without me?" I asked.
"I'm sorry honey but it just
happened-" I cut her off.
"I would really like to go back to sleep," I closed my eyes.
"No! I'm tired of you being cheeky to to me, I'm your mother," she pulled the covers.
"Mom!" I exclaimed.
"Get your ass downstairs!" She ordered.
She was really mad but so was I.
I slowly got up and followed her downstairs. There was no one downstairs just me and my mom.
"Where's the dress?" I asked.
"Sit down," she said firmly.
I sat down on the on couch. She went to the kitchen and came back with two dirty plates.
"What's this?" She asked.
"Plates," I said.
"Who were you with?" She asked.
"No one," I lied.
"Oh so now you're disrespectful and a liar?" She asked.
"Mom please," I exhaled.
"Were you with that boy?" She asked.
"Mom-" I stood up.
"I asked you a question," she said putting down the plates.
"Yes," I said and in a second I found myself holding my chick. She slapped me!
"Mom," I paused, I couldn't believe it.
"You're a very stupid girl!" She yelled.
"Did you just-" she cut me off.
"Yes I did, I wanted to slap you back to your senses," she said.
"Why?" I asked as tears streamed down on my face. She to was crying.
"Many things could've happened right here, many things I can't seem to bring my self to think about," she said.
"Nothing happened," I still held my chick as it was in flames.
"Of course nothing happened, I know you,you're my daughter but this was very risky," she said.
"Chances were so high that you could have lost your virginity and be pregnant, then what? He'll be long gone in a second and you'll be stuck here with a baby and no future!" She exclaimed.
"All your dreams and goals, flushed down in toilet," she said.
"For the last time nothing happened," I sobbed.
"How would I know? You're a liar now," she said.
"Trust me mom," I stepped closer to her and she stepped back. The way she looked at me, almost like I disgusted her.
"Trust? Look where trust got me, I trusted you that you'll make good decisions," she was very disappointed.
"Mom please," I cried.
"You can go back to your 'precious sleep'," she air qouted and left me in tears. Oh my! What have I done?
Now I've lost my mom and Alex.
I ran upstairs and crashed on my bed, cried on my pillow.
"Tasha?" An innocent voice called.
"Go away," I cried.
"What you did was very stupid, he could have hurt you in many ways," Megan, Oh my dear Megan. If you only knew what I was going through.
"But I get you, you like him," she brushed my back.
"Megan please leave me alone," I said. I had no eyes anymore, instead I had these tons of weight, weighing on me.
"Fine, I'm really sorry, we all are," she left.
Minutes later mom came rushing in my room talking to herself.
"I don't even know if you're doing this to avenge me for being with Eric," she said.
"What are you doing?" I asked as she opened my closet.
"I want you out of my house!" She packed my clothes.
"Mom you can't do that," I ran to grab the bag.
"Watch me, now let go!" We fiddled with the bag.
"Mom please," I begged, my heart had a whole and it was sinking.
Like the titanic, breaking into pieces and sinking down.
"I'm not your mother," she let go of the bag and I fell down on my behind, hard.
"Get out!" She pointed towards the door. I couldn't see her face clearly because of the tears but she had tears on her face too. This was hurting her as much as it was hurting, so why was she doing this?
"Mom don't!" Megan rushed in my room.
"Stay out of this Meg, you know the saying, one rotten potato can spoil the other potatoes," she said.
I picked myself up and the rest of the clothes.
This is how it feels to be disowned.
"Mom she likes him," Megan got in my away and bagged for me to stay.
"Let her through, I hope he's worth losing your family," she said.
I hugged the crying Megan and whispered that I love her.
"For the last time mom, nothing happened and nothing could've happened. I'm so sorry for disappointing you and I want you to know that I love you," I left.
Where was I going? I don't know and I don't care.
I took a taxi to the subway, just to clear my head. I didn't care where it was going but as long at it was far from home. You know that girl in the hoodie who is sniffing the tears away but the tears can't help themselves, the one sitting in the corner, the one you wanna ask that question: 'Are you okay?' but you're afraid of the answer.I was that girl. It was getting late and cold and I reached in my bag to get something to wear. I had to find the pink hoodie Alex bought for me and I just held it close to me.
~*~
Alex's pov
"Glad you made it," I shook Shawn's hands.
"Please," I gestured for us to sit down. "Boy! You closed down Vantagè?" He asked impressed.
"Hey, I would do anything for my mom," I opened the menu even though I don't feel like eating.
"So what are you going to have?" He asked as I looked around for any sign of McCarthy,
"Expecting someone?" He asked.
"Something like that," I said.
"Great because you'll need someone by your side," he said.
"Yeah, I don't know about that," I mumbled.
"What was that?" He asked.
"Nothing, please let's order," I exhaled. I have never been this nervous. We ordered and he ate and even asked for mine which I was willing to give, we did everything to delay time but it flew and before I knew it, it was almost nine o'clock.
"She's not coming Alex," he said.
"What?" I asked.
"The girl, the girl you're waiting for," he said.
"She'll show up," I needed to stay positive.
"But I don't have time," he said.
"I pay you to have time for me and when I say we must wait, we shall," I said. I hate how I have to bring up who pays who but I have to in order put people in their place.
"She's coming," I assured myself.
She likes me, I know she does. I know it. Even though I don't have any memories of her but I'm sure we'll make new ones, together. I sound like a loser! Oh man, what's wrong with me?
~*~
"Ma'am, ma'am," an annoying voice called.
"Hey!" It yelled.
"What!" I opened my eyes.
"This is the last stop," The security said.
"Where am I?" I looked around. It was only me in the train.
"Winter Stone," he said.
"What?" I asked. So far away from home.
"Ma'am, just call someone to pick you up or something," he said.
"Thank you," I grabbed my bag and left.
I took out my phone as I got in a cab.
Thirteen missed calls from Monique and five from mom. The time was almost one o'clock in the morning and I just held my mouth in disbelief.
I ringed Q and it hit voicemail.
I went to a place where everyone is welcomed, a place where you are not judged by your sins, I slept on the bench in the place of worship.
~*~
"Hey," someone woke me up.
"What's your name?" The priest asked.
"Tasha," I sat up.
"Tasha, what brings you here?" He asked.
"Nothing actually," I stood up.
"I can tell that you're very troubled and you came all this way to here so you might as well share," he said.
"Forgive me father for I have sinned," I started my confession.
"I'm listening child," he smiled.
"I know I am too young for love but I think I fell for someone," I said.
"What's so funny?" I asked as he slightly laughed at me.
"Nothing, I'm sorry it's that I haven't heard anyone say that," he said.
"Well there's a first time for everything," I said.
"True," he gestured for me to go on.
"A while ago, I met this guy and we become friends and hanged out and stuff, but see the problem is that I don't want to date, I'm too young for that. I have a lot of things to focus on than to date, at least according to my mom. He basically saw something in me from the first moment we met and went out of his way to keep me close to him.
Honestly I didn't feel anything for him at first but I grew to like him. And all the things he'd say about how I'm his, I was interesting in how the way he looked so alive but was dead inside, I felt the need to help him but life always got in the way. His obsessed ex and my overprotective mother.
Yesterday he confronted his feelings for me and I rejected him in the worst way possible.
Then my mom kicked for I had spent time with him all alone, in her house.
And that's why I'm here, what do I have to do?" I asked.
"Wipe those tears off your face and let's pray," he closed his eyes and I was like what the hell dude but eventually closed mine too.
Father God here I am with this little girl, please give her guidance towards making her decision. I know deep down that she knows the answer but she seems to be lost, guide her father. She needs you, Amen.
"Amen," I sighed.
"How do you feel?" He asked.
"Much lighter I guess, thank you," I said.
"Thank you for opening up," he smiled.
"You think I know the answer?" I asked.
"I don't think, I know so," he said.
"Now go and take matters into your own hands," he said.
"Thank you so much," I shared some money for offerings and I was gone.
I'm hungry, my whole body hurts, I don't know where I am but I know where I'm going. I'm going home.
~*~
Alex's pov
..."Can I help you?" I asked as I picked up my phone.
"Hey, I'm Monique, Tasha's friend," the caller said.
"Like I said, can I help you?" I exhaled.
"Do you happen to know where Tasha is?" She asked.
"Don't know, don't care," I was about to end the call and she said something.
"I'm sorry come again," I reached out for the vodka on my side table.
"You don't care? This is all your fault!" She exclaimed and causing me to wince as a sharp headache hit me.
"What's wrong with miss little princess?" I asked.
"She's missing," she said.
"And that's my fault because?" I asked.
"You're the one who forced her to choose between you and her mom," she said causing me to chuckle.
"Look who ever you are, I don't have time for this nonsense, I have better things to worry about, she can go die for all I care," I said.
"What's better than this? She's missing Alex!" She yelled.
"You better watch your tone, would you like me to plaster pictures of her all across town, is that what you want?" I asked.
"Why are you so rude?" She asked.
"You're really wasting my time, tell you what, don't call me again and please do not tell me if you found her or not, I don't care, she's dead to me!" I ended the call and crashed my phone against the wall.
~*~
Tasha's pov
"Mom," she opened the door.
I think I saw relief in her eyes as she embraced me.
"My poor baby," she cried.
"Are you okay? Where have you been? Do you how we've been looking for you?Are you alright?" She let me in.
"Tasha! Rachel please give her some space, come let's go get you cleaned up," Q smiled.
"Take all the time that you need,we'll be downstairs if you need anything," she said and closed the bathroom door behind her.
Here I was once again, looking in the mirror, I don't recognize this person.
I took a hot and long shower and had a lot to think about. I choose both of them. They're very important to me and I intend on keeping them close to my heart. I stripped into my comfy clothes and headed downstairs.
"Hey baby girl, come sit right here next to mommy," mom said.
"I'm really sorry for what I did," she apologized.
"No need to apologize mom, I'm the one at fault here and I'm sorry," I apologized.
"Here's some tea," Megan handed me a nice cup of tea.
"They told me everything sweetie," mom exhaled. She was brushing and kissing my head.
"Everything, everything?" I asked.
"Everything," Q smiled.
"What exactly?" I asked.
"Look, I need to meet this boy, maybe dinner," she said.
I couldn't believe what I just heard.
"I'm sorry for holding you back all along," she apologized.
"Mom I don't know what to say," I exhaled.
"You can start with a thank you," she said.
"Thank you mom!" I hugged her.
"Well what are you waiting for?" She asked.
"Huh?" I was confused.
"Go to him and don't forget about what I said about meeting him," she said. Was this my mother? I pinched myself and it wasn't a dream.
"What changed your mind?" I asked.
"They did, all of them, and you're in big trouble when you get back by the way," she smiled.
"Mom I love you so much and I want you to know that I chose you," I smiled.
"That's what you're probably going to say to him," she handed me her car keys.
"Q you coming?" I turned to my best friend.
"Oh no, this is between you guys and good luck to you, you'll need it, and besides your mom made pie," she said.
"Alright guys, I have to love and leave y'all," I rushed outside.
Alex here I come!
Oh and thank you God for answering my prayers.
~*~
..."He's gone Tasha,"...