by Amare, Mercy
“Yes, she's fine. The doctor says she is going to make a complete and healthy recovery.”
“Thank God.” I sigh of relief, and step back. “Do you want to come inside?”
“No,” she shakes her head. “I just came by to ask you to leave.”
Her words hit me hard. “No way. I'm not leaving my sister. I just found her.”
“Go back to California, Scarlett. You don't belong here. You are a negative influence on Bridgett,” she is begging me. “She is better off without you.”
Her words hurt me, because maybe she's right. If she would have been with her parent's they would have known the signs to look for. Maybe they could have prevented this from happening.
“You know it's true,” she continues. I think she knows she is getting to me. “Just leave, and give Bridgett a shot at a normal life. The normal life that you will never have. You chose the path for your life, let her chose hers.”
I shake my head. “You can't chose for her. It's her choice. And if she wants to be with her twin sister, then you should let her. Me and her are related by blood.”
“I've been there for her for 19 years. I am her mother, even if it's not by blood. You haven't even known her a month. Do you really think she will chose you over me?”
I literally can't stop the words from coming out of my mouth. “She already chose me. She came here with me. And it doesn't matter that we haven't known each other that long. We are sisters, and I love her.”
Mary has tears in her eyes. “If you love her, then you need to do what is best for her. You need to leave.”
She turns and walks away, and I stare after her.
Even though I know what she said is crazy, I can't help but wonder if she is right. Bridgett will be better off without me in her life. I will always be followed by paparazzi. The spotlight would always follow me around. And the truth is, I am not completely ready to give up my old life. My dream is still to make music.
Bridgett doesn't belong in LA. She is so smart, and has her whole future ahead of her. She needs to finish college, and have a shot at normal. As long as she stays around me, she can't have that.
So, right then, I decide leaving would be for the best. Not just for Bridgett, but for everybody.
I pick up my phone, call my pilot, and pack a small bag.
I have to leave before I change my mind.
7:36 am
I'm saying goodbye
I'm on the plane, and we are about to take off. My phone rings, and I see Stephan's name pop up on the screen.
“Hey,” I answer. My voice is shaky. I am not sure how I am going to say goodbye, but I know I have to. I not only screwed up Bridgett's life, but Stephan's too. I made things worse for him at school. The rest of his senior year is going to be hell because of me.
“Where are you? I thought we could go eat breakfast before you went to the hospital.”
I feel a tear fall down my cheek. I take a deep breath, and try to sound strong. I'm not strong. I know if he begs me to stay, I will. “I'm leaving, Stephan. Mary is right. Bridgett is better off without me. So are you.”
“Scarlett, what are you saying?”
“I'm saying goodbye.”
The pilot comes back to where I'm sitting. “We are ready for take off when you are, Miss Ryan.”
“I have to go. Goodbye, Stephan.”
I hear Stephan something something, but I click the “END” button on my phone. I can't hear what he has to say.
“I'm ready.”
As soon as the pilot walks back to the front, I let the tears flow, and I don't let them stop until I am back in LA.
Thursday, October 8
6:51 pm
Selfish bitch.
I have been in LA for four days now. My phone stopped ringing after the second day, and since then it has been quiet. I haven't had any updates on Bridgett, or worried/ furious calls from Stephan... Nothing. It's almost as if I never existed to them. Maybe I would feel better if they still called me. I would rather them be mad at me, then have them forget me.
But this is exactly what I wanted, or at least, that's what I keep telling myself.
My time in Florida was short... I wasn't even there a whole month, though it felt like much longer.
I wonder if it has been easy for them to go back to how their life was before I came. I wonder if they miss me. Because I miss them like crazy.
Since coming back to LA, the only person I have talked to is Alec. He is the only person who knows that I am here. Not even my dad knows. I know that I am going to confront him at some point, but not right now. I need time to heal.
So, for now, I wallow in my loneliness. I brought this on myself, and I deserve it.
Later that night, my doorbell rings. I wonder if it is Alec, but he's in New York visiting some family there. He won't be back until later next week.
When I get to the door, I'm surprised to see Stephan is standing on the other side. At first, I'm worried that something happened to Bridgett, but then I really look at Stephan, and he looks PISSED. He has every right to be mad. If I was him, I would be furious too.
“Do you want to come in?” I ask, mainly because I'm not sure what else to say.
He steps inside, but he doesn't say anything. He's looking around my foyer... looking anywhere besides at me. Everything about this situation is awkward.
“We can go sit down.” I start to walk towards the sitting area, but Stephan stops me.
“No. This isn't going to take long,” he says.
His words are sharp, and they scare me. I've never heard him use such a hateful tone with me.
“You need to come home, Scarlett.” He get's right to the point. “Please. For Bridgett... For me.” His voice softens as he says please.
“I can't.” The words get stuck in my throat. “I'm sorry.”
“What about me? Us? I really thought we had something between us.” For a second, he looks like he's going to cry, but he quickly recovers. “Are you really going to run away from this?”
“You and Bridgett are better off without me.” At this point, I'm not sure who I'm trying to convince... him or me.
“Shouldn't that decision be ours?” he asks.
I am not sure how to reply, so I don't. I just look at him, with tears in my eyes. I am completely broken.
“I'm not here to cry, and beg you to come home. I won't tell you that I love you, and need you, because I don't. I want you to come because you want to be with me as bad as I want to be with you. But, dammit Scarlett, even if you don't come for me, your sister needs you right now, and you ran away from her. You're a selfish bitch.” He doesn't give me time to reply. He just walks out, slamming the door. The sound echo's through the house.
My heart feels heavy because I know his words are true. I am a selfish bitch, and because of that, I'm not going home. They are both better off without me. I am doing them a favor by staying out of their lives.
I belong in LA, far away from the people that I care the most about. I can't hurt them more than I already have.
“Goodbye, Stephan,” I whisper to the door.
And just like that, my heart broke beyond repair.
The End.
Look for Faded, book 2, coming SOON!
Acknowledgments
First of all, I just want to say THANK YOU to everybody who has reviewed my books! Book bloggers are the BOMB. Seriously, you guys are amazing, and I know that without you, my dream would not be possible. So, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU.
To my readers, WOW. You have each blown me away! Thank you for all the amazing messages of encouragement and love. Thank you for all the likes, and follows. Thank you for the shout outs. Thank you for being awesome. I love you guys.
My husband, without your support I would not be where I am today. Thank you for encouraging me to live my dreams. And for cleaning, doing laundry, and eating take-out way too often!
Tess... I don't think my books would be half as awesome without you
r beta reading skills. Thank you for putting up with me.
And of course, ALL my beta readers! Mercedes, Danielle, & Wendy! Thank you for finishing this on such a tight schedule!
Regina, my book cover designer. This cover is AMAZING.
To anybody I have missed, I'm sorry! I love you all! MUAH!
Love,
Mercy Amare
Check out my other books:
You Got Me
A NA romance about new beginnings, and finding love when you least expect it.
Don't Tell
A YA novella about love, forgiveness, and hope.
http://www.mercyamare.com