Vanessa's POV
"How long has this been going on?" I asked again, my house rising.
"V…Van," Claire stammered.
"God damn it, Claire! Just answer me!" I yelled, and she stumbled backward.
She tried to speak, but nothing came out. I glared at her, wondering what else she could hide from me.
"Since high school," She answered.
"What?" I coughed.
"You're telling me all this now, and only because I found out!" I yelled.
"Van," she called. "I wanted to tell you. I…I just couldn't."
I shook my head and moved away as she came closer. "I…I didn't mean for it to happen. It was just a dumb crush that wouldn't go away, Vanessa. I never wanted it to mess things up, so I never acted on it. I swear, I would never do anything to hurt our friendship. Please believe me. It's just…it's just a stupid crush," she pleaded with a breaking voice.
"A crush? Are you listening to yourself? You call a feeling you have kept to yourself for years, a crush. Do you think that's what this is? Huh?" I asked, staring at her as my heart pounded in my chest.
"Van, that's all it ever was," she wandered, her eyes teary.
She reached for my hand, but I pulled it away from her. "Don't freaking touch me! I can't believe it! You have been secretly in love with my father!" I yelled.
Claire cried, panicking as she tried to come up with the right words.
I didn't care for her words. They didn't matter right now. She could try to explain all she liked, but I could see the truth in front of me. It wasn't some dumb crush like she called it. She was in love.
"Vanessa," she called softly in a teary voice. "I never wanted to hurt you. I…I thought I could handle it. I can handle it. It wouldn't change a thing between us."
I shook my head, my whole body filled with anger. "It already did."
Her eyes widened and she came closer. "Van, please. Don't do this. I'm sorry. I was wrong," she said, holding my hand.
"I never wanted you to find out like this. Van, I'm so sorry. What do I have to do to make you believe me?" Claire begged.
I glared at her angrily. "What do you want me to do? Do you think I'm just supposed to be okay with you having feelings for my Dad? Are you out of your mind, Claire?"
I pulled back, moving away from her. "Please, Don't," I breathed. "Don't touch me. I can't even look at you right now."
I watched her crumble. The pain was visible in her eyes, but I didn't care. It wasn't enough. It could never undo what she just did. If I hadn't found out, she would have kept it hidden from me for God knows how long.
"Vanessa, please…just listen to me. I'm begging you. It's not what you think. You're taking this too far," she begged.
"I'm taking this far?" I asked. "Can you hear yourself, Claire?"
I grabbed my bag from the bed and headed straight for the door. She blocked my way and I let out my breath. "No, get out of my way. I don't want to hear any more of your excuses. I need space. I need time to think," I responded.
"Van, listen to me," she cried.
"Please, just get out of my way," I warned and she moved.
I ignored her tears and walked out of the room.
"Van, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. Please…please don't leave me like this," she pleaded, but I was already out the door.
I heard her cry, and I walked out, cleaned my tears, and stopped a taxi. I got in and gave the driver my address.
The night air blew against my skin when I stepped out of the taxi. I sighed and looked at the gate, remembering Dad was supposed to pick me up at Claire's place.
"Uh," I groaned. "Just my luck."
Suddenly, the wind grew heavier and it felt like it was reading my mind.
The streetlight beside me started to blink and I frowned at it. That thing was always nuts. I never understood why the I'my left it unchecked. It never shone when you needed it.
I had to call Dad before he got to Claire's place. I didn't want him finding out about Claire's feelings, not now. It would worsen everything.
Deep down, I didn't know why I felt that much hurt. I couldn't completely say it was the betrayal. I just felt conflicted and angry. I was mad at her for keeping it away from me for so long. Mad that she had feelings for my father. He was literally her father's age.
She never acted on it but I couldn't be so sure. If she could keep it away that long, she might act on it someday.
It made more sense she wouldn't agree to date any guy at our school. She kept refusing dates and was always daydreaming about someone and I didn't want to think it was my father.
I slid my hand into my pocket and pulled out my phone when a sleek black car parked beside me splashing water on me.
"What the hell? Are you blind?" I asked angrily.
"Ugh," I groaned.
"My shirt," I complained.
"You better get down here or else I'm going to…" I ranted, but the words caught in my throat as the car's door opened revealing a familiar face.
I froze, staring at the face smiling back at me. My eyes darted, scanning her from top to bottom.
Her black heels made her dress stand out, and I gawked when she took off her glasses
Suddenly, the annoying streetlight became bright and remained still.
"It's been a while. I have missed this place," she said smiling.
"M…mom?" I gasped. What in the world was going on here?
"Hello, baby," she purred. "Did you miss me?"