"Once upon a time, there was a boy who was happy..."

I snuggled up in bed, pulling my blanket up to my chin as I flashed my father a cheeky grin. The bedside lamp was open, illuminating the side of his smiling face as he sat on the chair beside me, like he always did whenever he would read me stories.

He knew how much I liked hearing them, and he did his best to manage his time. I was thankful for it. Kaitlyn was a different case, I could still remember the time when he told me how she only fell asleep at the start of the story. I had giggled that time, for it was funny how different we really were.

This was something only me and my father shared, and today was even more special because the story he would be telling wouldn't be from a book. It would be from him, his own story, and not anyone else's.

"But then something happened. Bad people came, they were ruthless and unsparing, and they took away everything the boy had until he had nothing left to live for," he continued, his voice distant as if he was caught up in a memory.

The villains of the story, I think with my heart pounding in my chest.

"Why did they do it?" I whispered.

He glanced at me, and there was a bitter smile on his face. "Because they were bad, sweetie, they don't need a reason to do things."

"That's not fair." I frowned, sitting up to lean on the headboard. This was the first time I heard something unusual, and I didn't like his answer.

He chuckled lightly, then he said, "The boy struggled. It was hard for him. He stayed away from his friends and spent most of his time alone, pushing everyone away until they lost the will to be with him. He liked being by himself. It was nice."

"And they left him, just like that?" I couldn't help but say. "Why? I thought friends stick for each other until the end. They must be bad ones."

It took him a moment to answer. "You're right, Kaylee. They were. I guess the boy didn't know how to pick his friends." Then he gave me a smile that held another meaning.

My chest suddenly felt heavy.

"But I think I know what he feels, father. I sometimes like to be alone too," I confessed shyly, fiddling with my fingers. My friend had laughed at me when I told her that, and I was expecting him to do the same.

But he didn't. Instead, he grinned and ruffled my hair. "That's great, kiddo."

I beamed, heat rushing up to my cheeks. He always knew what to say. "What happened then? Did the boy get a happy ending?"

My father nodded.

"He met a girl who was like him in a lot of ways, but what he didn't know was she would teach him how to live life to the fullest again. He liked being around her. He smiled whenever she was around, and talking to her was like his medicine. She saved him, you see? Days passed, and they found themselves spending more time together. They also fell in love, so they married and lived happily ever after."

I sniffled. "That's a beautiful ending. I'm glad he met her, she must be really great. Oh, and did they meet in the park? Or maybe a coffee shop? I've read somewhere that those are usually where you find your beloved."

My father stood up with a smile. "No. Somewhere else. A place where people don't usually find love. And it was what made their relationship special."

I stifled a yawn, resting my head on my pillow.

"Where? The parking lot? The basement? Please tell me not in the bathroom because that would be disgusting." I wrinkled my nose.

There was a laugh as he leaned on to me, placing a kiss on my forehead. I peered at him through my eyelashes and smiled. Then as if on cue, a yawn escaped my lips.

"I'll tell you tomorrow, sweetie. Sleep now, it's getting late," he whispered. "Goodnight."

Then the lights went out, the door clicking shut as my father left the room. I was alone once again, but it felt nice. The darkness never scared me.

-

A muffled sob escaped my lips at the realization, and my eyes were filled with tears before I knew it.

Rowan isn't here.

My chest felt heavy as I stumbled back, knocking into a cluster of adults I didn't notice were there. I mumbled an apology, and their worried gazes met mine briefly as I forced a small smile on my face.

When they disappeared into the corner of the sidewalk, it was just then that I wrapped my arms around myself. The surface of the wooden bench felt cool as I slouched upon it.

It felt unusual for me to be the only one left on the streets, and I knew it was because I was never alone. Rowan was always with me. He was the company I desperately needed. Where is he now?

I blinked back the tears from my eyes and brought my legs to my chest, resting my forehead on my knees. I held in the scream building in my throat.

There was a flurry of emotions brewing in my chest, and I hated it. I hated the familiar pain it caused.

I was disappointed that he didn't come. Angry at myself for being excited and depending too much on his presence. Dejected because I was alone, and he wasn't here like he said he would be. And at the same time, embarrassed at myself for being such a fool.

'Go home,' my mind whispered to me. 'Don't come back. He wouldn't be showing up.'

"He will," I mumbled to myself and rested my cheek on my knees, wiping the tears from my eyes. "Shut up."

So I blocked the voice in my head and waited for Rowan. And for the first time in years, I hoped.

I waited on the place where we would meet; the wooden bench by the street that was only a few blocks away from a local café. I sat on it immobile, hugging my legs to my chest.

My legs tingled with nerves, and my body was begging me to move an inch to sooth my stiff muscles. But I didn't. I stayed still and forced myself to endure the distress, as well as how I was still expecting him despite everything.

He must be on his way.

I stayed and listened to the footsteps as they came and went. I stayed until the tears on my cheeks had dried and my chest turned numb. I stayed, until the thoughts in my head only multiplied. And then the realization hit me:

I was giving my all. Too many times I got disappointed, too many times I hoped only to regret it, too many times I looked forward to things only to be proven otherwise. This was my last, and I would wait here for as long as I could until he came here. This was my last chance of believing.

And Rowan appeared, he did.

It was the crack of dawn. I was gazing absentmindedly at the rusty fire hydrant near the wall with my cheek pressed against my knees when light familiar footsteps entered my hearing.

I brought my head up, and my numb lips instructively tugged up into a smile when my gaze landed on his face. I was expecting him, but it still felt surreal to see him standing before me.

The first thing I noticed was the golden hue surrounding his figure. His wavy black hair glistened under the early sun, and his irises seemed to switch from brown to green as he gazed back at me. He looked like what an Angel from Heaven would be.

Rowan opened his lips, but before he could speak, I went up to my feet and engulfed him in a tight hug. Tears sprung to my eyes as I held him close, and I tugged on his navy jacket to ensure he really was here, and I wasn't dreaming.

That this was real, and he came back and gave me hope.

He didn't say anything. Instead, he just held me back. And it was more than enough.

A/N: We just reached 5.5 k reads!! Thank you so much everyone for supporting me till this chapter, I am really grateful <3 I hope you all like where this story is going so far, and I can't wait to share the rest of Kaylee's journey. On a different note, I'm currently working on my new short story 'Letters To Dom' (inspired by true events) in case you aren't aware. Starting from June 25 (which is actually my birthday and I want to show my gratitude!) I will be updating that book so it would mean the world if you give it a try!

Add it to your library and stay tuned! I can't wait to share it with you guys xx