For Her Protection

CASSIE-5

Chapter Five

I wake up, what feels like, a couple of hours later. My head is pounding and my nose is stuffy. My body is tired. I get up and drag myself to my bathroom. I do my business and go to wash my hands. That's when I see it. I look in the mirror and the girl I see is broken. Eyes red and cheeks puffy. Hair a mess. I take a deep breath. I wash my face, brush my hair, and try to pull myself back together.

I walk back into my room, looking for something a little more comfortable to wear. I find an oversized t-shirt and a fluffy pair of pajama pants and throw them on. I pull my hair up into a messy bun and grab some Tylenol. I take a couple and then I hear a soft knock at the door. "Come in." Then I see the face I needed. My Aunt Clara pokes her head in, "Hey sweetie. You ok? I hear about what happened."

As she stepped in, I just rushed her. I needed a hug. I haven't felt like this since I first moved here. I was broken and hurt and I couldn't think. " Aww honey." My aunt cooed. "Why? Just why? I was fine! I was living my life perfectly fine. Why did have to ruin it? Why?" I sobbed. I couldn't hold it anymore. Aunt Clara grabbed my face, in the most loving way possible, and gently spoke to me. "Sweetie, people handle things in many different ways. You don't know how your brother and father were feeling, and I'm not saying its an excuse for their behavior, but maybe you should go see your dad. Let him know how you feel and hear what he has to say. If anything, it will give you closure. You will be able to move past this. Your brother is still downstairs. He wants to fix this. You may never be able to forgive him, but you will never know if you don't try. Take a deep breath, wash your face, and come eat when you're ready." She kisses my head and turns on her heel to leave. She softly closes the door and leaves me to my thoughts.

I couldn't stop crying. I sobbed for what feels like forever. "I miss you so much mom. Why'd you leave me? Oh God..." I sobbed more. I couldn't contain my emotions anymore. I fell to the floor and pulled my knees to my chest. I formed a protected ball around myself and just let everything wash over me. I stayed there until my eyes felt heavy. I let sleep consume me. At some point in time, I felt myself being lifted. Then I felt the cool, soft material of my bed. I snuggled into my pillow and felt someone pulling the covers over me. I could've sworn I felt lips on my forehead, but I was to exhausted to open my eyes. I just drifted into a deeper slumber.

Back to the present

And that's what brings me back to being on this plane. Actually, it's Stefeno's private jet. Now, I'm staring at the window as the view of New York comes into focus. "Welcome Home...." I whisper.