“Fight for what you want.”
“I don’t want to start a war in my house, Harper.” I scoff and shake my head.
“But didn’t she already start one?” she presses. “There’s nothing wrong with voicing your concerns, Trinity. Be the strong person your dad raised you to be.”
What would my dad want? I know he would have been upset that I lied to Mom. I know he would understand the dilemma I’m going through.
Leonidas makes me feel alive. He’s moving away in a couple of weeks. Every second I’m with him, I can hear the time ticking by. I want time to stop, to get lost in the moment with him. My mom won’t keep me apart from the one person who makes me happy. Especially since she’s never home.
Fight for what you want.
Fight for what you believe is right.
What I believe is right is not being grounded for nothing at the age of eighteen.
“I know what I need to do. Thanks, Harper. Love you!” I practically yell into the phone. Throwing it somewhere behind me, I jump out of my bed and run down the stairs. I hear Simba’s light footsteps as he follows me.
My eyes spot Mom as she sips her coffee on the patio swing.
She’s on my and Dad’s swing … with Rodrigo and Diego.
My blood turns cold as I spot the happy family. Simba stops by my feet and growls at the sight of the two new men he’s not used to.
Guilt fills Mom’s eyes as she spots my shocked face at the door. “Trinity, dear, Rodrigo and Diego stopped by as a surprise.”
“I can see that.” Sarcasm is thick in my voice as I glare at her.
Who the hell does she think she is? She knows how important that swing is to me. I haven’t sat on it in four years, and neither has she. It hurts so fucking much. All the countless nights we sat there. She couldn’t even bear the sight of it at first. I fought for the swing’s life when she tried to take it down. Now, here she is, with her new boyfriend and his kid.
My heart breaks into a million pieces.
One step forward, two steps back.
I can’t stay here and hear their laughs of happiness when all I want to do is cry. Twisting around, I stride into the house.
I look around for Simba’s leash, spotting it hanging on the back door. I bend down and clasp the metal ring around his collar. Grabbing my phone, I jump around in a frenzy while putting on my shoes. Pushing the front door open, I stride down the front steps. I don’t peek at the happy family. I don’t look back when Mom calls out to me.
“You’re grounded, Trinity! Get back here!” she yells and follows me. Leaving a confused Rodrigo and Diego behind.
“I’m going to go see Dad. Is that fine with you? Or should I ask your new boyfriend for permission?”
She stares at me with her mouth agape.
I nod at her and scoff. “How could you be so insensitive when I’m still stuck, grieving like he died yesterday? Do you not care about me anymore, Mom? Because I feel like I’m just forgotten now.” I tug Simba’s collar and stride to my car.
I refuse to blink my eyes. I won’t let them see the tears that are begging to be let out.
My lungs can’t get enough air. Gasping, I let all my emotions crash down onto me.
“Trinity!” I hear being called from across the yard. It’s a different voice, not the one I wanted to hear desperately.
My hand grips my car door handle, and a hand lands on top of mine. Looking up, I find Elijah.
“Hey, hey. You okay?” he mumbles.
“Girlie, what’s wrong?” Amelia says while jogging up to us. “Love.” She sighs when she sees my face.
“Guys, please let me go,” I say, stressed.
