"All hearts break, don't lose faith, you can't live that way."

-Jeremy Lockhart
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(WARNING: SLIGHT VIOLENCE IN THIS CHAPTER)
⚓SKYLAR⚓️

"WHAT?! You've got to be kidding me!" I moved slightly backwards, not believing his words.

Was he lying to me? I mean, there were always two parts to a story.

"But...you guys hate each other, how could you have been his—" I gave him a puzzled look before he interrupted me.

"Like I said, we were best friends." He emphasized his words once more. Swallowing the overwhelming news I just got, I tried to clear my mind to listen to him further.

"So...what happen?" I grasped my fingers together, squeezing them tightly.

I wasn't sure what to expect this time...

" I was living a life of a peaceful 10 year old in this town, doing the usual like playing soccer and hanging out with Dante. But everything changed on the 29 February 2000...

(Start of Flashback)

"Why don't you come over to my house to get a drink first before going back? I'm sure your mom won't mind!" I slapped the back of his head playfully.

"Fine, fine. I'm only coming over cause it's after training and I'm so thirsty. But I have to leave immediately afterwards." Dante whined.

Grabbing his SnapBack, I dashed away with him chasing after me. Our laughters filled the streets of our lonely neighborhood then, the leaves rustling as we ran over them.

Once my house came in view, I stopped abruptly. Dante followed a suit.

"Why is your door wide open?" He whispered, placing his SnapBack over his jet black hair. Signaling him to remain quiet, I tiptoed to the door with him following behind.

"NOW YOU'LL FEEL THE PAIN I FELT, ELENA! YOU NEVER KNEW WHAT IT FELT TO BE HEART BROKEN, WELL LET ME SHOW YOU!" A malicious voice screamed.

Swallowing hard, I hid behind the cabinet with Dante as I noticed two masked man in the living room.

Both men had an eagle tattooed onto their fists accompanied with a bronze necklace which had a shape of an eagle hung onto it.

My eyes widened in fear as my eyes came upon my mom and dad tied onto a chair in thick ropes, along with my younger sister, Doña, who was grabbed roughly by one of the masked man.

Out of natural instinct, I wanted to stand up and prevent those men from causing any further harm but my dad who noticed me, gave me a stern look as he subtly shook his head.

He warned me not to save them. I followed obediently, even when I had a choice.

The masked man's lips curled into a sneer as he stared down at the pure innocence in his hand—Doña. Without hesitation, he pulled out his sharper blade and stabbed it right through her. Through her flesh, he tore her...and the most loving organ of hers—her heart.

He killed my sister before my innocent eyes. A horrified scream escaped from my mother's lips and she fought against the thick ropes. My dad clenched his jaw as he squirmed in the tight ropes.

While I...I hid like a coward. Dante held me down, forbidding me from moving too. Either way, I wouldn't move. I was rooted to my spot, trying to register the fact that Dona was dead.

Dropping her lifeless body, the masked man strode towards my mother.

"Now Daniel, it's time for your punishment. YOU WILL FINALLY FEEL HELPLESS WHEN SOMETHING YOU LOVE IS TAKEN AWAY FROM YOU!" He pulled out a long narrow red dagger from his concealed pocket as he yelled with a snicker.

"NO! PLEASE DON'T!! KILL ME INSTEAD! NOT ELENA!" It was the first time I ever heard my father beg or scream. I didn't understand why he was screaming in mercy.

"Hmmm..." the masked man pondered falsely.

The next thing I knew, he swung his arm down, dagger in his hand, and watched as it sliced into her skull, the blood pouring almost instantly from her gash.

My childlike mind finally realized why my father was begging.

Unable to hold back, I screamed through my tears.

"MOM!!" Both masked men's eyes snapped towards me as they took a few menacing steps closer to Dante and I.

"RUN JEREMY!! RUN!" My dad ordered. Taking Dante's hand, I ran out.

"CALL YOUR DAD AND I'LL GO GET THE POLICE!! GO DANTE!" I demanded as he nodded nervously. Running both in opposite directions, I never knew he would actually turn his back on me.

(End of Flashback)

When I returned with the police, we found my dad at that exact moment where he had pulled out the knife from my mom's chest, blood all over his palms. He was framed. It was all perfectly planned from the time I left for the police. And honestly, who would believe the eyes or words of a 10 year old? " he said bitterly as tears rolled down his cheeks.

"But Dante is a witness too!" I argued, trying to fight back the tears. I couldn't make him feel any more devastated than he already was.

"That's where you are wrong. At the court where they were deciding whether my dad was innocent, they asked Dante what he saw. Dante's words were practically what would decide my father's fate. I knew there was hope for my dad, he wouldn't need to spend a lifetime in jail but my only true friend who I thought would be there for me, told the judges that my dad killed both my sister and mother!" He shouted in futile rage.

Why? Why did Dante say that? Why did he lie? He had no reason to. A million questions raced through my mind before Jeremy broke down.

"AND EVERYTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED IS MY FAULT! I was so foolish to befriend him, I was too much of a coward to save my family, I was weak and hid away! I had a choice Skylar, and look what I did." His fingers gripped the roots of his blonde hair as he sobbed uncontrollably.

Pulling him closer to me, I wiped away his tears with the tips of my fingers. His vulnerable rain blue eyes bore into mine.

"It's not your fault Jeremy. You would have never known that Dante could do this to you, and if you stood up to try to save your sister or mom, you would have been dead. You were only 10. "

"I didn't even try.." He whispered, sniffling slightly.

"You would not have been able to stop this either way, life is unpredictable. " his eyes were puffed up and his cheeks were tear stained.

I finally see him.

I see his vulnerable state, I see what's under that charming smile and confident aura.

He wasn't just that good boy who I thought got everything served to him on a sliver spoon.

Hell, was I so wrong about him.

Embracing him in a hug, he mumbled.

"And that's why I went to visit my dad at the prison...cause I know a way to get him out of there." A small smile spread across his face.

"Count me in, Lockhart." I mirrored his smile.

"Oh Skylar, the things you do to me." The very next moment, his lips coated mine.

And in that moment, I knew one thing for sure— I was developing feelings for Jeremy Lockart.

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OMG how did you find this chapter?

It's the first time I ever wrote a really emotional chapter so please tell me what you think!!

✨Celine✨