Jade's POV
My tears kept stinging the corners of my eyes as I trotted upstairs, to my room. I was trying to keep the tears in but I was failing miserably at that.
My mind wandered back to that fateful day ...
The day that would never stop haunting me. The day that had changed my seemingly perfect life!
*FLASHBACK*
That day, I was at the park with my dad. I had insisted we branched at the park before going home ...
If only I could go back in time, I would have listened to my mom and not convinced my dad to take me to the park after shopping.
"Dad, you are going to travel again soon. You just came back after two weeks and I have really missed you. I just want to hang out with you, just you and I, before you embark on your trip, tomorrow. Please!" I had given my dad my reason and whined, insisting we hung out that day.
"Okay sweetheart. Let us go hang out at the park for 30 minutes. Your mother doesn't have to know." My dad being the warm-hearted and best father in the world agreed and off we went to park, the one down the street in my neighborhood, instead of going home.
"Wait here, let me go get you your favorite drink and snack." My dad had informed me with his bright smile and trotted away.
I smiled at him, knowingly. I knew he knew my purpose of dragging him to the park. It was to get to enjoy my favorite snacks in peace, the one my mom would never allow me to have, because she believed it would fatten me and according to her, I shouldn't put everything in my mouth as a lady.
"I love you, dad!" I muttered much to myself as I stared at the retreating figure of my dad.
"Oh, there she is! The clumsy Jade!" I heard a familiar but annoying voice stated from my behind.
I was enjoying the warm sun on my face, waiting for my dad, when Tyler appeared out of nowhere, with his usual sinister smirk.
Tyler was the older kid down my street and always seemed to take pleasure in making my life difficult. I had always tried to ignore him, but he kept pushing my buttons.
"Is it safe for you to be here alone? You might cause a harm to someone you know, since you are way too clumsy!"
Tyler stated with his infamous smirk, clearly enjoying himself.
I felt my face heat up with anger and embarrassment. I tried to ignore and just bear whatever rubbish he had to spew until my dad came back but he kept getting on my nerves.
"Hey, Jade, don't you feel like crying today? You have always been weak to my words. I just need to open my mouth to say a word and I will be blessed with your tears. What changed?" Tyler teased me further.
Why did he has to be so annoying?
I lost my calm and I snapped at him. My hands clenched into fists. I couldn't take it anymore.
"You want to know what I feel like doing right now? I'd tell you... I feel like punching your ugly face till you bleed, but I am holding back because I am way more humane than you. So, just go away, alright?" I gritted out.
But Tyler chose to laugh at my seriousness, instead of taking my words seriously.
"Don't be so boring, Jade. I just want to talk to you, and probably play with you." He pressed on, stubbornly.
"I don't want to talk to you not to even think of playing with you, Tyler. You suck!" I groaned at him.
"No, Jade. You would have to. I want to play with you just like how your mother keeps playing around with my father!" He seethed.
My anger boiled at his statement.
"You ingrate! My mom was just being kind to you and your father. Especially your father that has to deal with the heavy burden of taking care of you, all alone." I sneered back at him.
"Nonsense! Your mom is just whoring around with my father!" He retorted and I lost it at that.
I stood up and without thinking slapped him hard across his face, the sound echoing through the quiet neighborhood street.
Tyler's eyes widened in shock, and for a moment, he seemed to hesitate. But then, his face twisted in anger, and he shoved me. I staggered back and he moved closer to me, trying to strike me with his fist. At that moment, my dad showed up and quickly intervened.
"Hey, young man. Calm down. You don't treat a lady like that." My dad said to him, chidingly, as he tried to hit me.
"Let go of me, old man." Tyler screamed angrily at my father.
"Hey, hey, watch that tone. Don't use that tone on me. I won't watch you harrase my daughter." My dad yelled at Tyler but Tyler was too angry, he just wanted to retaliate.
"Not when your daughter hit me first." Tyler yelled back and furiously pushed my dad.
I guessed my dad wasn't expecting the push, or maybe Tyler had pushed him too roughly with all his strength and adrenaline...
My dad fell down from the impact of the push and hit his head on the swing at the park.
I screamed and ran to my dad's aid but it was too late.
He was already bleeding from his head.
"Oh my God! No, no, no! Dad, look at me! Stay with me." I screamed, tears already welled up in my eyes.
My dad tried to talk but he couldn't produce a word.
"Call 911, you idiot!" I yelled at Tyler.
Tyler, who was already shaking with fear, after realizing the effect of his action, shook his head and bolted off.
"Somebody help me! Help me, anybody!" I wailed.
I could remember feeling helpless, frozen in fear as I watched my dad took his last breath. In my hands!
*END OF FLASHBACK*
"Yes, it is my fault. If I didn't lose my calm and hit Tyler, my dad would still be with my mom and I." I muttered to myself and sniffled.
"I shouldn't blame my mom for always blaming me. I am to be blamed!" I sobbed, quietly.
Just then, I heard the door of my room swing opened and somebody walked in.