"Are you feeling any better today?" Those were the first words to greet me when I opened my eyes.  Laying in bed right next to Mark and waking up to see his warm gaze staring back at me was a comfort of sorts. Yesterday was an absolute disaster, and although I knew the events that unfolded were something that was going to somehow affect me, right in the moment the only thing I knew was we shared a love that no one could come between, and that was all that mattered to me.

"A little bit. I just wish my parents could understand." I rubbed my eyes and stretched out, nearly knocking Mark in the face. His reaction was priceless, which was something I could only giggle at and that was something I certainly needed. "Hey! I know you're pissed at your parents but that's no reason to take it out on me," he teased with a look of terror across his face. Again my joyful laughter echoed from wall to wall but the smile was short lived and soon faded.

I couldn't stop myself from reflecting on the previous night. The power in my father's voice, the aggression when he finally burst and shattered his glass of wine across the kitchen floor. He made it seem like dating a guy that's a little older, and who has different dreams and ambitions then I have for myself was the worse thing in the world. I would have thought my happiness meant more to my father above anything else.

What hurt the most was realizing I was unfortunately stuck between a rock and a hard place. Mark is easily the best thing that has happened to me, and I shouldn't be forced to choose between my family or my boyfriend. "I know it's difficult baby but perhaps you should try going home today and talking to your parents. You never know it may help and If all else fails, you'll always have me. You know I'll be right here by your side." 

In a way I guess that was something I didn't even realize I needed to hear. Mark always had a way with words, and I was thankful for that because more often then not, even in my hardest of struggles he always knew how to lift my spirits. A light smile lined from ear to ear for a brief moment. Even when it feels like my life is falling apart, Mark's always there for me. 

Even if I were to crumble and fall to pieces, I know in the end he'll be there to pick them up and put me back together again. "Maybe you're right babe. I'm just worried if I go too soon, I may make things worse for myself. You don't know my dad, he can be rather irrational at times, and he's fairly stubborn when he feels he's in the right."

I squinted my eyes shut tight and rolled over onto my stomach. I still felt as if I was coming down from a state of euphoria after the heated love making session from last night and all I wanted to do was try and enjoy what was left of this ultimate high. However, my mind just couldn't calm down and instead would battle against me, replaying all events from the night prior. As much as the struggle made me want to tear up I stayed strong. Sure it hurt but life isn't always fair. I could choose to shut out the world and let it take a toll on me, or I could take it for what it is and grow from it. 'At the end of the day, I did the right thing, didn't I?'

Face still buried into my pillow, eyes still shut tight, I just felt drained. At this point I just began to feel guilty for having picked my side-- and it was against my dad. I shouldn't have had to pick but, I did and although I felt I did the right thing. I've always had a great relationship with my parents and now, I didn't know what would come of it.

"You need to relax babe. Things aren't nearly as bad as you think," Mark purred into the back of my neck as he snuggled up close. I knew he was right but, nonetheless I've always been one to other think. It's just part of my personality I couldn't exactly shut off, no matter how much I wish I could. Laying in my silence, I was caught by surprise when the back of my shirt was being lifted up. I had no idea why but, if he was trying to coax me into a morning session, I just wasn't interested.

Instead, his strong, soft fingertips danced across my upper back, trailing down and then back up. Mark repeated this process several times before planting the entirety of one of his hands into my back, almost as if he was trying to give me a back massage. Whatever he was doing, I was liking it. "Mmm, that feels nice."

Mark's smooth, warm hand continued to work into back back muscles gently and I was beginning to feel so relaxed I felt as if I was literally melting into my bed. For once I was indeed able to shut off my mind, and just let go. His warm hand caressed my curves ever so softly I was able to just lat back and relax, which was something I most definitely needed.

Time seemed to have skipped during the message as before I knew it Mark pulled his hand away, and instead started to crawl out of bed. "I gotta start getting ready for work." --"No," I playfully whined turning my head off to the left, watching as he plucked his shower towel from off of the back of the closet door. "Stay in bed with me," I teased with a pout. Of course I was kidding and understood he does have to work, but a part of me was hoping he'd call in sick and we could just cuddle all day in bed. "I'm sorry beautiful, you know I would if I could but I start at 5:00, and it's already nearly 3:00. I got to leave soon or I'll be fighting traffic."

Hearing it was late afternoon, I almost choked, and thought surly he must me joking. Alas, I peeked up at the alarm clock on his bedside table and it was indeed almost 3 o'clock. "Why would you let me sleep so late!" --"Well we were up late last night. Besides, I thought you could use it." Again he was right, I did need my rest and after having a good night sleep I was feeling refreshed and a bit better. "Why don't you get yourself dressed and I'll drop you off at your house on my way to work."

***

The feeling of dread quickly consumed me the closer we got to home. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end, and inside I was terrified although I tried my best not to show it. I didn't know what to expect and I think that's what scared me most. Although the whole way there, Mark was holding my hand or was at least rubbing his hand against my upper thigh and reminding me things were going to be okay which was soothing.

Mark really has always been my rock throughout the few months we've been together. If I was kicked out and I didn't have him to lean on, I don't know how I would be able to cope. With him, my heart was safe and really that's all that I could ask from him. Instead of being dropped off right in front of my house, Mark pulled the car over and stopped a few houses down from mine. "Everything's gonna be alright, I promise."

I couldn't bring myself to look at him, but instead stared just a little bit down the street in the direction of my house. My nerves were shot, and my heart was thundering with anxiety. I took a deep breath in and tried my best to swipe any and all negative thoughts to the side. I knew once I left this car I was on my own, and I couldn't deny I wasn't sure I was strong enough to handle a worst case scenario situation. "I'll be home around 2'clock so I'll give you my house keys. Just leave the patio door unlocked and I'll come through the back. You have bus fare right?." -- "Y-yeah I have a bit of cash on me. I'll be fine"

I knew he had to be on his way to work but more than anything I just could not bring myself to leave the car. If anything I just wanted to go back to Mark's and snuggle up in his bed- with or without him. In a way I felt intimidated, I felt lost. I had no idea what to expect walking into the house, I could only hope I had given my father enough time to cool down. The last thing I wanted was to be walking into a war zone.

I slightly nodded my head to answer his question, took a deep and reached for the handle. "Hey! You text me if you need me and I'll call you back on break, alright? Be strong beautiful. I love you." I knew Mark loves me, but it was always nice to hear. Before stepping out of the car I reached across and gave him a kiss before taking the keys from his hand. "Thank you babe," I whimpered taking a step out of the car. I turned around to shut the door, and blew him a kiss through the window before seeing him off.

Once Mark left my side that was when the nerves really kicked in. Walking up the street towards my house, I really couldn't understand why I would be so nervous. There was a sickening feeling in my stomach and a pounding in my chest. The worst thing that could happen is dad would throw another temper tantrum, but other then that I couldn't shake the feeling of being scared and why I would be. 

That was something I learned very early on in life. I learned walking into any situation all you can do is pray for the best but be prepared for the worst. It's a shame I had to learn that so young, but that's something I'll carry with me for the rest of my life. At least if I'm prepared for a worst case scenario I can't be too torn if and when shit hits the fan.

Walking up my driveway, wasn't an easy thing and seeing what was on my porch was even worse. My heart fell into the pit of my stomach and I began to tremble in both confusion and anger. Laid out on the patio were boxes. Boxes which I could visibly see as I got closer to them, were full of my belongings. Seeing that, I felt as if I was nearly ready to fall over, and I had to take a seat on one of the deck chairs.Scratching at my head I started looking through one of the boxes, and sure enough, the box was packed with my belongings. I was just super confused until I found a note that was placed off to the side of the box which read 'You made your choice.' At this point my body was shaking because I was that livid.

The hurt, anger and frustration was crippling. It took every bit of strength I had not to keel over and cry. It was hard but I choked back my tears and finally mustered up the courage to knock on the door. Seeing I had my shit packed and set out on the patio, I knew I couldn't very well just waltz in the door because this clearly was no longer my home. As much as that realization pained me, I had to stay strong because I just couldn't handle having a break down. Not now.

Before knocking on the front door, I took a deep breath and reminded myself that I was prepared for this worse case scenario so from this point on there's not much worse that can happen. It didn't provide much comfort but at it did ease my mind. Not significantly but, it was something I could latch on to and be grateful for. Fighting back the tears and emotion that I was trying so hard not to show, I rose to my feet and made my move by lightly knocking on the door.

I didn't know what I was going to say, I didn't know what I was going to do. All I knew was I was their daughter and my relationship with Mark shouldn't hinder my relationship with my parents. I needed for them to know I'm an adult and I'll make my own choices, regardless of what them-- or he thinks is best for me. Not long after standing around, the door was answered thankfully by my mother. As soon as we locked eyes, I could see the tears swelling in her eyes, and the look of empathy across her face. "What the fuck is this shit about," I shouted, demanding for an answer. Before giving me an answer, mom stepped off to the side, out of the door frame and came back wearing a sweater, joining me outside.

"He went upstairs to talk to you last night. When he found you weren't there and your window was wide open he went ballistic. He trashed half of your room. I salvaged what I could but, you really hurt him, you know that? Your father just wants what's best for you dear. He thinks that boy has ill intentions and the two of you are just too different. He just doesn't want you to get hurt. Just come home baby. You haven't been with that boy long enough to claim it's love, so just do the right thing. Leave him, and come home. We can fix this. "

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. She was absolutely nuts if she thought I was seriously going to break up with Mark because that bastard doesn't approve of our relationship. "Don't you dare try to lay a guilt trip on me! I'm an adult. I will make mistakes, and as your daughter you have to trust that I'll be okay on my own. If this relationship is a mistake like dad thinks it is then, I'll be the one to deal with the aftermath. Not you, not dad, me. However that's something I'll have to learn the hard way in order to learn from it, and I'm asking you to trust me when I say I love him. You guys want what's best for me? Well I'm telling you, Mark is exactly that. I just wish you guys would give him a chance. That's all I'm asking."

There was no denying that I had finally began to break down. My heart could only take so much. Seeing not only was I kicked out but my mother was actually trying to convince me to 'do the right thing' and leave Mark, hurt more than my words could have expressed in that moment. The only thing I managed to do which conveyed just how upset I was, was cry. I don't exactly know what I expected to come out of this, but certainly this was not one of them.

I didn't expect to be literally kicked out. I didn't expect to be pressured to end my relationship for the sake of keeping the peace and, I certainly didn't expect me to feel so guilty over the fact that I refused to oblige. I took a few steps back, turned around and silently sobbed into the palms of my hands. I didn't want anyone to see just how torn I really was. Not even my mother. The only one who could possibly console me right now would be Mark but for the next couple of hours, I was completely on my own.

"Well, I guess you have made your choice. However, between you and me-- I don't blame you." My mother whispered into my ear, as she tightened a firm grip around my torso from behind. "It's clear that you really do love him, and I was wrong to try and convince you to leave him. I've been in your shoes. Your father seems to forget a similar situation happened to us when we were your age but I haven't. So you do what you need to do, and remember... love always wins."