Bitter and sweet

ELENA'S POV;

"Ah, sure." I smiled a little.

"Okay, I'll go get dressed." He said and then he left the kitchen.

I gazed down at my clothes to see they weren't bad. But I still felt the need to change, so I headed to my room, and brought out a faded blue gown. Fitted at the top, but loose at the bottom. It was simple, and then I packed my orange hair into a messy bun, allowing some strands to reach the nape of my neck. I slipped my feet into a pair of black flats. No make-up, I didn't think I needed it.

Jason was already waiting in the living room. Dressed as casually as I was, a white T-shirt, black jeans, and a pair of black Converse with its lace white. His jet-black hair glistened, even without the use of gel, and his greyish-blue eyes raked my body up and down.

"You look very cute in that outfit." He grinned.

"Thanks." I blushed.

"Let's go."

It's not what I expected, even much better. Actually, I had expected a place with water. I loved staring at the ocean. It was massive, and beautiful with different kinds of beautiful aquatic creatures in there. But this one was different.

It had the most beautiful green tree I have ever seen, long thin, but green pastures moved side to side as a cause of the soft wind, the sky was so blue with white puffy clouds. And the sun, it shined brightly, like this place was what made it smile all the time. The sunflowers blossom happily as they move along with the green pastures.

Jason smiled at me as he settled down on the shorter grasses. I did the same thing, wondering how he found this beautiful place. It was so magical, perhaps I was already in Wonderland because this place really is wondrous.

"How long have you known this place?"

"Since when I was six. My dad and I used to come here. He would tell me stories about himself and my mum. Well, I didn't realize that till now. Everything about them seemed so perfect, their relationship and all until she died."

I felt him. The pain in his eyes was visible, and I understood how he felt.

"My dad, ever since then, had been so devastated, and everything here just brought a lot of memories of my mother to him. Every day he plastered a smile on his face in front of his kids to show them he was doing fine, even without our mum, but we were smart enough to know he wasn't. We saw right through him. At times we would spot a line of dried tears on his face, but said nothing about it." He sighed.

I really wished that my father was that way. But he was only known for being a coward towards his responsibilities.

"He's too occupied these days with work to reach us often and I understand why. He uses that to calm himself and to get away from his problems. After Gretchen was done with college, she took it as her responsibility to take care of both of us. He still reaches us from time to time, I just wish he would...come back to us, because of all he's done." I wondered why he was telling me all this. But then he looked at me and smiled. "I don't know why I trust you either. But I know you've been through a lot and that's why I thought to share my story with you."

"Do you come here often?" He nodded.

My gaze flickered everywhere. I could picture my brother and I running on the field, laughing, and gossiping. I could hear Brianne call my name, and when I turned, she was beaming at me.

"Is it because it brings back so many memories of your family and everyone you've ever loved?"

He smiled. "It's obvious isn't it?" I nodded. This place brought a lot of memories indeed, the breeze, the field so green and bright, the trees that made soft clapping sounds, and then the beautiful blue sky, adorned by the beaming sun. Brings back happy memories.

"When I lived with my stepfather....I was lonely." I began, earning his attention. "Without any friends, no neighbours to talk to, play with, run around with. It pained me most of the time seeing kids younger than me laughing their asses out with either friends or parents, while I didn't have any of those. No parental care, but a step parental maltreatment." I leaned my weight on both my elbows as I leaned back, and stared at the sky.

"The only family I had was my uncle, and when I lost him, I felt as though I had lost everything that belonged to me. I was stuck with the insults and abuse of my father, and I had to cope, barely. I was just so grateful to have a friend like my mother. She's always by my side whenever I need her support." I sighed. "I'm happy you guys came into my life. Without you, I don't even know what I would be calling myself now."

"I really don't understand the joy in any man raising his hands on a woman. Your father abusing you is one of the worst things that he can do to you as a father. I'm certain he doesn't have a reason. Or has he ever told you the reason?" He questioned and I nodded.

"I don't want to go back there either. I'm terrified... terrified that he would show up at the doorstep and capture me. I'm scared."

"So you're saying that Jason knew your father was abusive before he came to get you?" Jessie asked and I nodded. "Fuck."

"I didn't want him to do anything to Jason because I knew how dangerous he was. I didn't want any harm to be done to him. I'm glad he stepped back though. Even though he knew, I'm happy he stepped back. He read my body language telling him not to push any further for the sake of every person there at that party."

"I see. Do you have an idea of where he is now?" She asked and I shook my head.

"He might still be with his sister but I doubt it. It's been years."

"What if you both encounter each other one day?"