Snowflakes and Second chances

HIGHSCHOOL

“Amelia, say something! Why do you look so funny, daddy?” She giggles cutting through our tense stare off and Sebastian looks away to squat down to her eye level with a smile.

“Could you go over and play with Lily and her mummy? I want to talk about something important with Amelia.” He states, pointing towards a girl who looked about her age playing with her doll beside a young woman who waves at Sebastian in return.

Sofia giggles making a funny face as she looks back between her father and me before nodding.

“Okay daddy, bye Amelia. See you next time.” She comes over to me and hugs my legs and I adjust her beanie smiling softly watching as she waves to her dad before running off leaving me and Sebastian in another round of awkward silence.

“Your daughter's an absolute sweetheart.” I state meeting his eyes, and he gives a small smile burying his hands into his pocket as he stares into my soul.

“She's an easy kid… I feel like I owe you an explanation-” he begins, but I shake my head cutting him off as I adjust my jacket tearing my gaze away.

“Don't Sebastian. The past is in the past, I've decided to move past it, and you must've to.” My eyes trail over to the little girl as I speak before returning to him.

“A few minutes, that's all I need. Please, I just want us to have a normal conversation without you pretending like I can't see the anger you feel towards me in your eyes.” He states and I scoff rolling my eyes as the smile I was forcing on falls.

“You've had more than a few minutes Sebastian and honestly, I'd very much rather not be having this conversation. I'm back, and it has nothing to do with you but if you must talk, well then go ahead, or I leave.” I state and he sighs.

“Can we at least sit?” I arch a brow at his question giving him an 'are you serious' expression as I cross hands in front of me.

“Okay then… I'd like to apologize again for everything that happened in high school and after. I know you suffered because of me, and I'm truly sorry for that.” He begins, and I have to look away briefly before I begin to drown in the memory pooling in his eyes.

“Highschool is long past, how petty do you think I am to still be hung up over that, I'm not mad at you, I just see no reason in us trying to have any sort of relationship, we've grown past that haven't we?” I reply, and he groans running a hand across his face and through his hair frustrated.

Every bit of my statement was a big lie, one that didn't even sound believable in my ears, and yet, I'd rather use every defense mechanism in the book than admit that the heartbreak still affected me.

“Please Amelia, just let me talk… It wasn't easy getting in touch with you, coupled with your dad falling ill, and then I settled down and had Sofia, the divorce proceedings that followed soon after-” I know the rest of what he's saying was of great importance, but one thing grasps my full attention first.

“My dad was ill?” I whisper, unintentionally cutting him off, and he frowns confused at the surprise on my face.

“Julian didn't tell you? I thought you were aware…" He trails off scratching the back of his head, a cute habit he had always had whenever he got nervous or confused.

“I'm sorry about your divorce and everything that followed Sebastian, but it did bring you one good thing right? Sofia is an irreplaceable gem.” I reply changing the topic because I was embarrassed and felt absolutely shitty to not have been aware of something as important as my dad's health and have an outsider be the one to tell me.

“Yeah, I wouldn't have it any other way, although I do wish I'd have faced some fears back then…" He has this longing look in his eyes as he continues to look at me and I know that's my cue to take my leave before the conversation spirals off the road.

“Well, I wouldn't say it was exactly pleasant having this chat, but I do want you to know that I don't hold any grudge in particular towards you. I'm here to face problems of my Sebastian, you're not the top on that list. Tell Sofia I said bye and these are hers.” I state handing the napkin and lollipop back to him and walking off before he can say anything else.

Sebastian telling me he was divorced brought some odd kind of relief to me, a feeling I wasn't going to admit out loud, as the thought of him being single dances in my mind.

I was curious about one thing though, and that was wanting to know who the lucky woman that had managed to win his heart and settle down with him was and most especially, why had they split up?

It was now late in the evening as I walk back home, and I silently dread having to run into Julian or anyone in particular even after the drama at the diner earlier as I approach the house the weather now relatively colder.

I quietly slip past the gates and begin creeping towards the front porch wanting to just escape everyone and lock myself in my room but the sound of someone clearing their throat bemusedly halts my movement.

“Never thought I'd see you sneaking back home again, remember the first time I caught you doing that.” I turn to the sound of my dad's voice to see him seating on his rocking chair with a blanket and a steaming mug in hand as he smiled at me and I give a sheepish smile in return.

“Hey dad, fancy seeing you here.” I joke, and he chuckles motioning for me to join him.

“Come sit with me munchkin, let's talk.” He says, and I let out a big breath and nod with a smile, walking over to sit on the chair opposite his as I decide it was time to tell him about me and Jacob's situation.