17. Mila
17
MILA
I haven’t left my place for the last week since Hudson broke up with me. He hasn’t texted or called me, but I also didn’t make an effort to reach out to him, either. I’m miserable without him. I still couldn’t believe it—he didn’t fight for our relationship, and I’ve given up trying to convince him to do otherwise. He made it known that he didn’t want to get with me. Dad still hasn’t come by to visit and talk to me. I’m pretty sure it’s the same with Hudson. Dad caught Hudson and I fucking, after all. I’m sure my dad’s trying to process everything that’s happened.
I sat on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, staring at the television screen, not paying attention to the movie playing. My eyes are puffy from all the tears I cried since he left me. I don’t think I have any more left in me.
There was a knock on my door, my body stiffening. Was it Hudson? I got up and headed to the front door and opened it. I frowned, gazing at my father.
“Hi, Mila,” he greeted with a lopsided smile.
“Hey, Dad,” I said, stepping aside so he can come in.
I walked back to the living room, my father following from behind. I sat down and he did too, right next to me.
“How’re you doing? I haven’t seen you go anywhere,” he asked.
I twisted my body to face my dad. “I’m not doing okay, Dad,” I told him, choking on my words tears brimmed my eyes. “I’m in love with Hudson and now we can’t be together because of you .”
My dad’s body stilled, then he turned to me, staring at me wide-eyed.
“I didn’t know your feelings for him were that serious,” he said, his eyes searching mine.
“I’m an adult now and I can make my own decisions of who I want to be with. I get it, Dad. Hudson’s your best friend, but he’s also a good man. You helped ruin what could have been my happiness. Now, Hudson’s gone and he won’t talk to me,” I said with a pained voice.
It’s true. Hudson was a good man. He wouldn’t be my dad’s best friend if he wasn’t.
I narrowed my gaze at my father, watching his reaction.
“I still don’t like the idea of you two being together. I’m sorry I ruined what could have been for you two,” he told me. “You’re still my little girl. No man is good enough for you.”
“Not even your best friend?” I asked.
Dad just stared at me. “I don’t know what to think right now. I can’t imagine you and Hudson together. It doesn’t sit well with me. I’ll try to accept it if that’s what you want, but not right now,” he said, frowning before he got up and left.
I sighed then slumped on the couch, sulking.
Dad doesn’t understand and I don’t know if he ever will. He still thinks of me as a teenager, but it doesn’t matter now since Hudson wasn’t going to be mine, anyway. My heart was still broken and the tears I thought were all dried up, came rolling down my face. I laid down, sobbing.
A loud knock on the door startled me. My eyes shot open, adjusting to the darkness. I wasn’t expecting anyone visiting.
I turned on the lights on the way to the front door. Opening the door, my best friend stood there, concern in her expression as she looked at my appearance. I stepped back and she walked through the doorway with her large tote bag in hand.
“Mila, you look—” Danielle started.
“Terrible, I know,” I interrupted, rubbing my puffy eyes.
She followed me to the couch and plopped down next to me.
“We’re going out tonight,” she told me.
I shook my head. “No, I don’t feel like going out.”
“Look at you, girl. You look like a hot mess. You need to go out. It will help you feel better,” my best friend encouraged.
I sighed.
“I’m sorry that idiot broke your heart, but maybe it wasn’t meant to be. He’s the one insecure about your relationship and couldn’t even man-up and tell your dad about his feelings for you,” Danielle said. She was the type of person to tell me how it is and won’t beat around the bush. That’s what I loved about her.
“I don’t know, Elle,” I said, still unsure what I should do.
“I’m not telling you to go out there and hook up with a random guy if you’re not ready…unless that’s what you want. Let’s just go out and have fun,” she pleaded.
Maybe she’s right. Maybe going out will help make things easier for me to move on.
I looked at Danielle and her eyes were pleading. I hated when she begged.
“Fine. I’m going to shower and get ready,” I told her.
My best friend’s lips curved to a wide grin. “Yes!” she squealed.
I shook my head, chuckling, then got up and went straight to the bathroom to shower while Danielle got ready in my bedroom. The hot water felt good running down my body, relaxing me.
I dried and curled my long hair in loose waves, then put on my make-up, glamming myself up with a smoky eye look and nude-colored, glossy lips. I entered my bedroom and Danielle was dressed in a deep purple sleeveless dress that hugged her body and the hem hit mid-thigh.
“Wow, look at you, sexy!” I cat-called.
“Look who’s talking, girl. Wear this dress.” She chuckled, tossing me my little black dress.
I changed into the strapless dress that clung to my curves like second-skin and put on patent leather high heels.
Danielle whistled. “You look amazing, Mila!”
“Thanks, Elle. Let’s go before I change my mind,” I said, grabbing my purse.
“We’ll have fun tonight. I promise,” Danielle said, threading her arm in mine.
We headed to the front door and left for Wicked Bar and Lounge, a popular bar in San Francisco. I thought about Hudson on the way to the lounge, feeling depressed again. I pushed those thoughts down, not wanting to ruin my night. Danielle was right. You need to move on. It was right then and there that I made up my mind to get over Hudson.
“I’m ready to have fun,” I said, smiling.