Previously:

"Mandy?" The voice calls and I wouldn't be surprised if all colour has drained from my face.

The use of my full name... The familiarity of the face...

Within seconds I know who it is...

I think I'm going to pass out...

*****

Over time I may not have remembered vividly what he looked like after he walked out on me and my mum but this is him. Without a doubt.
I thought, hoped, I would never have to see him again because I'm sure as hell wasn't going to track him down.

Why would I be interested in building a relationship with someone who didn't care enough to stay?

"Dad?" My voice betrays me, cracking. I sound sad but I'm the complete opposite. I'm fucking furious.

He walks towards us, moving passed everyone else to get closer to me. I step backwards, my back hitting the car in the process. "You've grown so much." He whispers and I hold my arm out in front of me.

"Stop. Don't even think about coming near me." I squeeze Cole's hand tighter and he rubs soothing circles on the back of my hand.

This man who's meant to be my father stands in front of me. But in reality, he's just a stranger to me.

Why did I even call him dad?

I should be calling him by his name. He's no father. He probably has a family at home waiting for him. New kids. New wife. New family.

As angry as I am, the thought of him having a new family feels like... betrayal.

He walks closer, ignoring my demand and Cole thankfully speaks up for me.

"This has nothing to do with me but if she says for you to not move any closer it means you stop." Fuck I love him so much.

"I know you may be upset that I-" I cut him off before he can try and feed me any type of poor excuse.

"Upset that you what? Left us? I'm not upset, I was past that so long ago. I'm angry. Why are you even here? How did you find me?" I watch him fiddle with something on his hand. I look closer and see it. A ring. A wedding ring.

Looks like I was right...

"I went by the house, Catherine's house." I clench my free hand into a fist. I've balled my fist up so hard I wouldn't be surprised if it draws blood. But right now I couldn't care one bit.

"You don't get to say her name." I spit. My words laced with venom. A look of desperation flashed in his eyes.

"I found it empty. I should've known after everything you still wouldn't be living in the house. I then took a logical guess that you'd moved into your aunts home." My face holds nothing but resentment at this point.

"You knew?" I can't help but shout and he looks down, refusing to look at me. "She was fucking dying and you couldn't even show. "

"I want to build a relationship with my daughter. I'm sorry for not being there for you and I'm sorry about your mother, she was a wonderful woman." He says quietly.

He completely ignored what I just said.

'She was a wonderful woman' he says. So wonderful that he felt the need to leave us alone without warning?

"You're sorry?" I didn't realise I was crying until now. "What part are you sorry for exactly? Was it when you walked out on us, on your daughter who you didn't attempt to contact once in thirteen years? That surely can't be it because that doesn't come close to all the things you should be apologising for."

Looks like Mr No Show finally has the balls to look at me.

"Or is it not trying to contact me when I had no choice but to watch the most important person in my life get sicker as the days went by? Sitting at home with your new wife while you knew your daughter was sitting by her mother's death bed, alone."

I let out a strangled sob but I don't dare let it stop me from saying what I have to say.

This isn't just for me.

It's for her. The greatest woman I've ever known.

I'm not—and never will be—interested in rekindling our relationship.

"Nope I think I've got it," I say bitterly. "It was not being there while she... W-While she watched her mother take her last breath. I was the one sobbing on the hospital floor.

I was the one pleading the doctors to let me stay when they dragged me out of the room to watch them try and revive her. I was that person because you weren't there. Me. Not you. So don't say you're sorry because it doesn't change anything."

I aggressively wipe the tears from below my eyes. I can hear Nadia cry from behind him.

"I'm truly sorry for what you had to go through, Mandy. Once I found out I should've been there for you." I don't try and hear if there's even an ounce of sincerity in his voice.

"I'm not finished," I say fiercely. "She did both jobs once you walked out. She worked her ass off to provide for us because you didn't. My mum played the roles of both parents and no one could've done any better. We did just fine without you—actually, no, we did great without you. So as far as I'm concerned, both my parents are dead."

He looks at me with despair but I don't care.

"You're probably here for the money she left behind, right? Sorry to disappoint but it all went to medical bills. There's nothing left for you here, you can go."

He looks at more one more time, "I'm in town until Friday. If you wish to speak, I'll be delighted. I wrote my number on a piece of paper which is inside."

He turns to Nadia and Mark to say one last thing before getting in his car and driving off. "Thank you for your hospitality." He walks towards his car and drives off.

I breathe out and begin to cry again, that's if I even stopped. Cole immediately pulls me into his chest. I wrap my arms around him and inhale his scent, the smell of his cologne bringing me a large amount of comfort.

"W-Why did he have to s-show? I don't want to see him again, Cole." I hiccup and he pulls away to place his hand against my cheek. I lean into his touch and close my eyes as he wipes away some of my tears with his thumb.

"Hey listen to me," I open my eyes to meet his. "You don't have to. It's your choice, Princess. It's your choice." I continue to stare into his eyes and that's when I realise something.

I could look into them forever.

For the rest of my life I could get lost in his eyes.

He kisses the top of my head softly and that's when Nadia walks toward me. It's clear to me that she's been crying.

"I'm so sorry sweetie. I didn't know how you felt about your father so when I saw him, I couldn't turn him away. I wanted to, but I was trying to think of what you wanted. I guess I was wrong." I quickly wrap my arms around her and I stay there for a while.

"It's not your fault." I mumble.

The next ten minutes consists of all of us staying outside while we try and process what just happened and then we all head indoors.

I invite Cole inside and he accepts and Josh didn't react. It's probably because of what just happened but I hope it's down to other reasons instead.

Reasons like Josh finally accepting Cole and me because after all, we're finally a couple.

*****

I wake up with a pounding headache which was probably caused by all the crying last night. As soon as I was alone last night, I didn't wait a second before ripping the piece of paper with my 'dad's' number scribbled on it to shreds.

I don't think I could ever speak to him again, let alone forgive him. He knew what my mum was going through and even if they weren't together, even if we hadn't seen him in years, he didn't show.

Not for her or me.

After Cole and Mia went, I headed upstairs to go to sleep. Just before I closed my eyes for the last time that night, my phone pinged with a message from Cole. That was enough for me to smile until I let sleep consume me.

I get changed, take something for my head with some food, and sit downstairs waiting for Cole to pick me up because that's what his text said for me to do last night.

To stay home and wait for him to pick me up.

I'm not going to argue. Just means I get to spend more time with my boyfriend.

Boyfriend.

Just that word. That one word. Is enough for my heart to melt into a puddle.

"Morning," I say and stifle a laugh when I see Josh try and rub the sleep from his eyes. He must have just woken up. I check the time and can't hold my laughter any longer.

Andddddd he's going to be late.

"Morning." He replies, his voice groggy, and yawns.

A car horn is enough for Josh to wake up a little better and I grab my bag knowing it's Cole who's going to be outside waiting for me. "Why is he picking you up already?"

"He's picking me up 'already' because school starts in less than half an hour. You just woke up late." I snicker and imagining his eyes going as wide as saucers as I'm halfway out the door.

"Bye!" I call and the last thing I hear before slamming the door is saying one word.

"Shit!"

I jog down the steps and Cole opens the door, gesturing for me to get in. "Why thank you, kind sir." I laugh and peck his lips before getting in.

We talk about the little things and I can tell he's trying to find a way to bring up last night and finally, he spits it out. "How did last night go? Have you decided whether you're going to contact him?" He asks warily.

"Look..." I sigh, "Can we please not speak about this? I just want to take my mind off it." I ask softly, along with a smile. "But to answer your question, no. I'm not going to be calling him."

We don't say another word to each other for the rest of the way but when we pull, he's the first one to speak.

"You know," He says as he takes my hand and we head the lockers. "I was always late to school before you showed up, I only came to see you. But now, I'm here with not even twenty minutes to spare before lessons start just because you're here with me." He chuckles while I laugh but my heart starts to race, beating rapidly. 

I swing our joined hands back and forth.

"That's because he whipped!" Someone shouts but I know that voice.

Seph.

I can't help but join in on the guys' laughter and Cole rolls his eyes.

It's only once I've gotten my things from my locker that I notice the dirty looks some of the girls are giving me.

Eye roll.

I check my phone and see that we only have five minutes left until lessons start. Mia and Josh are still a no show. They're probably going to be late because Josh slept in.

My theory is proven wrong when Josh and Mia join us, holding hands as well. Cole hasn't let go of mine since we've gotten out of the car.

Mia must notice because she smirks and she doesn't even say hello before popping the question.

"So were you going to tell my anytime soon that you guys are now an item?" She's grinning.

"Who said we're together?" I challenge and she scoffs.

"Please, it's obvious. You don't think I haven't picked up on the dirty looks you've been receiving this morning? Plus, you kissed him goodbye when he left last night."

"Fine, you got me. It happened yesterday."

"Damn right it did." I hear Cole say and I turn to look at him. He's smiling at me and I can't help but kiss him again.

Cole Jones is my boyfriend. It still hasn't fully registered in my brain yet but when it does I'm going to be happier than I am now if that's even possible.

I catch the look on Josh's face and it isn't a scowl. He looks... happy for me? I'm starting to think the idea of us is growing on him but I don't think he'll ever admit it.

"I see how happy you make her but if you hurt her, I'll break your skull." Josh's voice is stern but calm at the same time and Cole doesn't respond.

"Seriously?" I grumble and he puts his hands up, feigning innocence.

My brain, overthinking stupid shit like it always does, continues to repeat Josh's words to me.

But if you hurt her...

But if you hurt her...

But if you hurt her...

I look at Cole and he flashes me the smile that made me fall for him in the first place.

If Cole hurts me, I suppose it's more when rather than if because good things only ever last for so long, I don't think I'll ever recover. Just his smile's alone is a killer.

So I ask anyone who can hear me... I beg you.

I pray.

Please don't let Cole break my heart. Not yet.

Not ever.

******
AUTHOR'S NOTE:

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