I feel my own indignation rising again too. I’m an adult now, not a child.
“Dad,” I start to say, hearing the edge in my own voice, “Maybe you should just get some sleep, huh? It’s a big few days coming up and I-”
“I mean it, Krystal,” he snaps, his hands starting to shake as if everything he’s been holding back is bubbling over.
“I love you, I really do, but I will not have you parading yourself about town, encouraging that man. It ends today, D’you hear me? Whatever it is you think he has to offer, it’s never gonna happen,” he barks and I feel my head shaking.
My own anger coming out now.
“I’m twenty-one years old, dad. Not five, and I think if I was interested in anyone that would be my decision, not yours,” I tell him, trying not to raise my voice but failing.
“I forbid it,” he shouts, and my ears hurt to the point of ringing.
“As long as you live under my roof, you’ll follow my rules,” he says just as loudly, making for the second emotional schism I’ve had in one night.
“Fine,” I tell him coldly, “That’s easily fixed.” I get up and open my closet, kicking the gown to the back and reaching for my suitcase.
“What are you doing, Krystal?” my dad drones, looking suddenly pale.
“I’m leaving. You can keep your roof and I’ll take my car. I don’t need you telling me how to live my life, all because someone is actually running for Mayor for real this time? Got you worried, dad?” I hiss, not wanting to sound so spiteful, but feeling just as mad at James all over again now, completely giving in to my own hysterics.
James really did unplug something with that tongue of his, that’s for sure.
Trusting I’m stuffing my suitcase with some useful things, I grab my phone, chargers, purse, and laptop before I reach for my keys.
“Krystal,” My dad says, calming himself down a little, “Don’t be silly, you’re right, it’s late… Why don’t we just-”
But I’m brushing past him, wearing only my pajamas and carrying the few things of value I own, I’m determined to be free of his bossing me around once and for all.
“And good luck with your campaign, Dad. In case you haven’t noticed I’m the one who’s always done the heavy lifting around here, you just want to big-note yourself and breeze through another year of doing precious little while everyone else congratulates you,” I spit, not even caring when I see the hurt register in his eyes.
A part of me believes it, another part of me can’t believe how cruel I sound.
He doesn’t follow me. Doesn’t even try and stop me after that.
My car’s still warm and in moments I’m pulling away from the house, not even feeling anything until about half a mile down the road.
It looks like rain in the windshield and I switch the wipers on, then have to rub my eyes before I finally have to pull over.
I can’t see for the tears.
Some thunder rolls ominously in the distance, even a flash of lightning.
It’s unseasonal for a storm this time of year, but it’s not every day I walk out on the two most important things in my life so far either.
Chapter Eighteen
James
I stand at the end of the driveway, waiting for her to turn around and come back.
To come back to bed.
Maybe even waiting to wake up myself.
I must’ve dozed off too and because she fell asleep on my arm I’m having a bad dream.
But no.
She’s really gone.
There’s only one place she would go, home.
Home to her dad. The Mayor of Woods End. Home to do as she’s told and-
Wait a minute. Wait just a god damned minute. I told her how I feel about her. What we just shared together wasn’t my imagination either.
She probably just freaked because it’s late and she didn’t want her dad giving her a hard time.
There’s a rational explanation for all of it.
Even the part where she blew up at you for undermining her dad’s career?
Hmm. I don’t wanna think about that right now.
I replay everything in my mind, right up to the point where I can’t see her tail lights anymore.
There’s no way I wanted to put her dad out of office. I didn’t want to ruin him, did I?
Not intentionally anyway, but hearing her say it point-blank. Thinking about it now I know I’d do anything to have Krystal.
It’s true, she is the whole reason I came to Woods End, the only reason I’m running for Mayor. It’s the only reason I could think of to get me close enough to her in the first place.
But I didn’t plan to ruin her whole life in the process. I’m trying to make a life for us.
Together.
I groan loudly, not caring who hears me, and sounding like a wounded animal I tread back inside, leaning against the door until it closes.