A/N - Hello dear readers! My creative side does still exist!
This is a microfiction that I wrote for my Short Story English class at school. I think it turned out pretty well, especially since I'm not used to writing super short things like this. Hope you enjoy it! Leave your thoughts and reactions in reviews! -KRH
"For the last time, Dad, I do not need to get out of the house more!" Haven slammed her oak wooden door in her father's face.
"Haven, you're fifteen now. You should be out on a Saturday having fun with your friends! You used to be so happy…I'd like to see that girl again." He pushed her door open again slightly.
The girl shook her head solemnly. "I can't go out today. Especially not on a Saturday." She looked up into her father's slightly distant eyes. "You…you've been drinking again?"
Her father sighed, looking down at the hardwood floor. "It's hard for me too, baby girl. Try not to stay in there too long." He turned slowly and left, stopping briefly to look at a family portrait in the hallway.
Haven pushed her rolling chair away from her desk and got up. She began to make her bed, tucking the soft, lavender satin sheets tight around her pillow as her mother always used to do. Haven caressed the silky fabric with her hand, remembering.
It was her twelfth birthday, three years ago, when her mother took her shopping for new bedsheets. Her mother had searched with her for a good half hour before selecting the lavender satin set. The second Haven saw it, she loved it. She instantly rushed with her mother off to the cashier, where her mother bought the set for her, and slid the large plastic bag into Haven's arms. How she wished to go on those shopping trips again with her mother! Haven picked up a photo taken on that day from her bedside table. Smiling brilliantly, her mother hugged Haven's twelve-year-old body close to her own. A small, bittersweet smile crept up onto the girl's face. Haven reached up and placed the photo on the shelf above her bed, where it belonged.
The following week, Haven sat behind the open front door, staring at a slightly darkened spot on the street in front of her. A thought suddenly hit her like a car. Haven visibly winced, her mind attempting to shove it away.
I will never forget you, Mom.
This thought penetrated her defenses, and Haven exhaled, trying to maintain her composure. He father sat down behind her, his eyes also drifting to the street ahead, also remembering what had happened two years ago, right outside their front door.
"I don't want to be trapped by the memory anymore, Dad," Haven whispered tremulously into her father's shoulder.
"We can do this together. As a family." He pulled Haven's shoulders away. "Mom's here. She's with us, Haven. She loves you just as much as you love her, don't you forget. Come with me. You are safe." He took her by the hand and stood up, taking a step to the door.
"It's okay," Haven's father whispered as she attempted to pull away. His grip on her grew tighter. He pulled her closer to the door. "You can do this."
Haven took a deep breath, her eyes never drifting from the street. "I want to do this." She took a step forward.
"Good, that's it." Haven's father turned to her. "Just one more step, darling. Mom's here, she's supporting us."
Just one more step.
The girl steeled herself, closing her eyes for a brief moment.
Just one more step.
Tightening her grasp on her father's hand, Haven walked out the door, her dad right behind her.
A/N - Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this fiction! Leave a review if you can. :)