Page 3 of That's What Love

“Oh, hot damn, chica!” Scarlett screeches with a mischievous look in her eyes.

I jump at the sound of her voice and laugh. “Chill, girl. It was nothing.”

CHAPTERTWO

The next day,I sit on my bed, scrolling through social media, when my phone dings. A notification flashes with the name “Dad” across the screen, and my heart drops to the pit of my stomach.

Dad

It’s been a bit since we spoke, just checking in!

I stare at the message. Should I respond right now? I begin to type out a message but decide against it.I don’t need to send a message while my head is cloudy.I lock my phone, toss it on the bed, and take a deep breath. I push the soft pink comforter off my legs, stand up, and walk toward the window, opening the blinds and looking outside. There it is—the only thing that can relax me right now—the view of the small pond across from my house, ducks already swimming around and dipping their heads into the water.

I walk toward my closet, its broken door triggering a memory of a breakdown I had in front of Scarlett. Any time my dad became cruel with his words, I’d shed some tears, and sometimes I would break down.

* * *

My dad has been treatingme like shit again. I feel the energy welling up inside and need to find an outlet. “I can’t handle this anymore, Scar. I can’t!” I cry and lunge for the first solid thing I see: my closet doors. I channel my rage and frustration into the doors until one is off the hinges and the other has a few dents in it.

“Hailey, please calm down!” Her voice is faint and sounds far away, but I can still hear the panic.

“Hailey!” Scarlett yells.

I slowly came to a stop, my eyes burning with tears, and I collapsed to the ground.“Why me?” I cry out as I shove my head into my knees.

Scarlett’s arm wraps around my shoulders as she pulls me into her chest.

* * *

I thinkabout that memory almost every time I look at my broken closet doors. I haven’t had the energy to replace or remove them.

My phone pings again, and I roll my eyes, knowing it’s probably my dad.Here we go.I grab my phone and read another text from my dad.

Dad

I guess you don’t want to speak to me. It’s okay! I’ll be changing my number tonight. You don’t have to worry about me again!

With a deep breath, I hover my shaky thumbs over the keypad and type out a response.

Me

Sorry, been busy.

With a surge of frustration and resentment, I fling my phone onto the soft sanctuary of my bed. Wiping away the tears, I slip into my outfit. I put on my shoes, and the weight of the leather tethers me to the present.

I take a deep breath and grab my phone from the bed and my keys off the dresser. Their merry jingle brings a playful rhythm to the air. With my head held high, I walk out the front door, locking it behind me and sealing away any lingering doubts.

* * *

The charming cafegreets me as I pull into the parking lot. This place, with its welcoming scent of freshly brewed coffee and the cheerful hum of patrons, has consistently been my sanctuary, a space brimming with companionship and comfort.

I swing open the door.

Scarlett immediately envelops me in a warm embrace. “How’s it going, love?” she asks.

I return the hug, feeling the weight of the world lift from my shoulders in her presence.

“I’m okay,” I mumble with a forced smile plastered on my face.

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