I woke up in tears. Luckily nobody was next to me on the flight, otherwise they would have thought I was crazy. Maybe I was. I just left everything behind without an explanation. Just like my mother. A shot of pain shot through my chest at the realization. There's a difference, you aren't leaving forever. You're just taking a break. I tried to convince myself as the plane pulled up to the gate.

It was already 7am here by the time I landed. I felt empty inside as I made my way through the airport. I had been ignoring my phone, not daring to see the damage I have done.

🥰

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My eyes watered as I locked my phone. I had dozens more messages but I couldn't look at them. I just dialed Dad's number and made my way through the airport, still in tears.

"Hey squirt, I'm at arrivals whenever you're ready." He answered the phone, "okay I'll be there in five." I sniffled, not even recognizing my own voice. I hung up and shoved my phone in my pocket. I kept my head down in fear that one of Colby's fans would see me and recognize me. It was so slim but my anxiety was sky rocketing.

When I got outside my dad was leaning against his truck. I ran to him and hugged him tightly as the tears poured out of me again. "It's okay Cora. It's okay." He murmured and smoothed my hair down. "Come on, let's get you home." He said and grabbed the bag I had packed and opened the car door for me. I got in and tried to calm myself down as he put my bag in the back of the car.

"Tell me what's going on." Dad said as he started to drive. "I had to get away. Dad his fans hate me, t-they want me dead. They want to unfollow Colby because of me. I'm ruining his life." I choked out, realizing now how ridiculous it all sounded, "but sweetheart, does he love you? Did HE say any of that?" I sighed and looked out the window, "n-no. I know it sounds ridiculous but I feel like I'm holding him back especially because-" I was about to tell him I was pregnant, but I couldn't do it. I wouldn't tell him without Colby. "Because he's getting bigger. He and Sam are getting more popular and I'm just a nobody. They want him to date someone like him. And I- I'm just nothing." He took one hand off the wheel and grabbed one of mine, "no Cora, don't bring yourself down like that. He wouldn't want you to do that or feel like that. Cora sweetheart, I don't know anything about social media or any LA stuff, but I know that boy loves you. I've never even met him and I know that. They called me asking if I heard from you." My eyes shot open as I looked at him.

"No, I didn't tell them that you were coming here, I didn't know the situation and clearly you wanted to get away but, Katrina sounded worried." He said as my phone buzzed again. I looked down to see Colby calling me. "I just can't...not yet. I need a break, and they need a break from me." I sighed and turned my phone off. "Wait, why did you have Kat's number in the first place?" I said and wiped my nose with my sleeve. "We exchanged numbers when I was in the hospital because I wanted to get a hold of you if you weren't answering and I guess Kat had the same thought since she took my number. Listen Cor. We are going to get you back on your feet, then you're gonna go back to them, you're not running from this." He said as I tensed up, "like mom." I whispered out.

Dad stayed silent for a minute, "like your mom." He agreed, and kept driving,

"are you hungry squirt?" He said after 10 minutes of silence. I hadn't eaten in almost a full day and that probably wasn't the best for the baby, "yeah, I am." He smiled, "alright let's get you some pancakes." I smiled slightly, but my heart was still aching for Colby. I should text him. Tell him I'm safe at least. But then he might find me, I know he knows some pretty smart tech people who could find where I am.

That sounds terrible. Part of my mind wanted him to come find me and take me in his arms, and tell me everything would be alright. The other part of me knew that he was better off without me, I didn't want to be the reason for any tension between him and his fans.

"Cora." Dad said pulling me out of my thoughts. "You comin in?" He was standing outside of the car with his door open. "Y-Yeah." I said and got out of the car. I probably looked like the biggest mess, my hair matted, makeup running down my cheeks.

We walked into the diner we would always go to when I was teenager. "Dan! And is that Cora??" An old man said from behind the counter, "David! It's been a while. Yeah, Cora came to visit." He said to David. I haven't been here in so long, but I remembered the old man who was always here. One time I got stood up, and my dad brought me here for milkshakes, I cried in the booth all the way in the corner for hours. "It's good to see you! You've grown so much!" David said and hugged me, "it's nice to see you too, I've missed home." I admitted as he led us to one of the booths. "What brings you back?" He said handing us some menus, "I needed to get away for a little bit." I shrugged and bundled my sleeves in my hands.

I realized that it was Colby's sweatshirt I was wearing and my heart jerked in my chest. I missed him. I should text him.

No. Give yourself a couple days. Maybe have dad tell Kat you're okay. He would be okay if he knew I was okay.

At least that's what I hoped.