Past

Ava couldn't believe the figure that was standing before her. She looked up at the person's blue eyes, all kinds of emotions evident in her eyes. The person turned face, Ava. There was no trace of tears, not in its eyes or track marks on its reddening face. Its eyes were narrowed, rigid, cold, hard. Ava felt like she was the enemy. Its eyes squinted, and its nose flaring, the eyebrows cocked like a blade. A tumbling flame seemed like it was going to rush out of its eyes.

"Dad!" Lucas shouted.

Ava snapped back to reality. She looked up again to make sure she wasn't just daydreaming. She couldn't believe it. Her Dad came back. Ava quickly turned her head to look at her mother whose face looked pinched; her eyes glassy. She got over him years ago, but her emotions acted like she had been feeling like this for the longest time. Ava thought her mom was going to cry, but she didn't. It was an emotion she couldn't put my finger on. Sad? Scared? Ava finally got it. Worried. She looked at Lucas who looked really content.

"Lucas, go to your room." Ava sternly stated

"What! No"

"Come on Ava. Can I not at least hug my son?" Ava's dad interrupted.

His voice is coarse like a fragmented rock in a hessian sack, moving and grinding against each other, somehow it complimented his ruddy complexion and raised veins. Ava eyed him unmercifully. Ava rolled her eyes and sighed.

"Fine. But make it quick."

Lucas ran towards their dad happily and they hugged. Basing on the way they hugged, Ava knew they have been in contact for a while now. They hugged each other, her Dad's strong arms embracing Lucas' small body. For a minute, Ava was happy at seeing that sight. They parted from their tight hug and smiled at each other. That was the first time Ava saw her Dad have true happiness in his eyes. Lucas took his food and went to his room. Ava looked back to check on her mom just to see her with the same expression on the same place.

"Mom? Are you okay?"

Ava's mom shook her head to break out of her mind-occupying thoughts. She stared at Ava for a few seconds and nervously walked a bit forward.

"Yes, I'm okay. Uhh, Ava let him in." Ava's mom stuttered.

Ava opened the door wider for her Dad to come in. He walked in as Ava shut the door behind her.

"So, Dad. What brings you here?"

"Oh. Yeah. Um, so I came here to apologize to your mother and you for not being the best person..." he said a bit of nervousness in his voice.

Ava has ever seen his Dad like that. He was always straightforward and demanding. She looked at her mother.

"How many chances have I given you? How many!" Ava's mom yelled.

"Many and I'm sorry Lucia. I really want to fix this and have a fresh start. Ava, I've missed so much of your life and I want to make up for what I have missed. I want to be in you and your brother's life again." He explained.

"Really Dad. You think you can just walk into this house and act like nothing ever happened. Dad, you haven't been in my life for the past 8 years. Where were you all those birthdays I and Lucas had? Where were you every Christmas or Thanksgiving? Where were you to open me graduate? Where were you when I got into middle school? Where were you when I applied for colleges? Where were you when I found out what college I got into? I have managed to live most of my life without a father figure so I'm sure I don't need you for the rest of it!" Ava ranted as she took a deep breath in.

Both Lucia and Ava's Dad looked at her stunned.

"Ava, honey. Is that how you've been feeling?"

"Yes, and I don't need Dad to be in my life anymore. I'm almost an adult already so there's no point."

"Ava, darling-"

"I'm not your darling, Dad" Ava snarled.

"Ok, ok. Ava listen, I don't have to act like your father or anything, I just want to be in your life. I want to be able to do things with you."

"Mat. Please don't pressure her." Lucia replied.

"And anyway, how do I know you really changed? How do I know you aren't going to get drunk?"

"Lucia, I swear to you. I have been sober for the past year. I have not gotten drunk. Ever since I realized that I had no-one I knew since then that I had made a bad mistake by hurting and leaving you guys." Mat stated.

Ava looked deep into his eyes. She used to believe his glacier blue eyes were ice-cold, that they knew no warmth and never shared loved. That's what she used to believe. Now she knows the coldest eyes have the warmest heart. She had sympathy for him but all the memories of him hurting them replayed in her head.

"Dad?"

"Yes?"

"Do you remember that night you left for a few days?"

"Yes" Mat answered looking down in shame.

"Ava...." Lucia sadly said looking at her.

Ava looked down at her feet.

"You got home drunk, with a bottle in your hand very late at night. Mom was asking where you have been, but you didn't answer. I was waiting for you to come home so as was waiting at the top of the stairs and I hear everything. Mom said you smelt like perfume and asked you if you were with another woman. You answered her so rudely..."

"I was so confused about why you were talking like that. You and mom started arguing over why you were always coming home late. And then... you pushed Mom. It hurt me to see her in tears. I wanted to go to her and hug her so hard; to protect her. I ran to the door and stood there, but you guys never noticed. Next thing I knew you threw the glass bottle in my direction and it smashed on me. I ran upstairs and tried to clean the blood but there was a massive cut. I went to sleep and minutes later Lucas came to my room because of the argument. I hugged him tight and covered his ears so he wouldn't hear you guys fighting." Ava said while crying.

Mat looked at Ava with teary eyes.

"I am so sorry," he whispered.

There was a sobbing sound coming from the top of the stairs. They all looked up to see Lucas crying and sprinting to his room. Seconds later there was a loud bang coming from the door.