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“Sit down, son.” I instructed, watching the teenager in front of me raise a dark eyebrow.

“Son? Thought I looked like a girl?” He countered, jokingly, a smirk on his face and I immediately knew the type of boy he was.

The look of mischief and humor in his eyes were enough to go by. He wanted me to give him a scouring reply; he enjoyed the challenge for authority; that much I could tell. And, that angered me to no end.

He was a gamer player and her, his pawn. I composed myself making sure to clasp my hands behind my back in a bid to restrain from punching him over my callous assumptions.

He watched me intently, a ghost of a smile on his face. Looking at him now, he didn’t look like a boy, not from what I could see. His eyes were shining with untold experience and I grimaced slightly.

He was considered a looker amongst the girls that was easy to tell. His sea-blue eyes; dark midnight hair and tall wide frame were all aspects considered attractive for females. And, in today’s world, attractive meant dangerous. I knew my daughter was beautiful, but I also knew she was too innocent looking or too plain for males like him. Exotic and globally desired- that’s what he would want. I imagined how Alexis would feel when he would eventually drop her like garbage, picking up the next girl like they were mere items for his interest. She would be heartbroken.

“Mr. Dawson?” He questioned, a curious but humored lilt to his voice. I steeled myself, calming down my raging nerves. I looked up at him again, finally, my breathing escaping in angry huffs.

“Do you find it entertaining to play around with my daughter like this or is it a full-time career with multiple clients?” I quipped calmly and I watched his eyes light up at my scathing words.

“Career? Multiple clients? If I was making a fortune like that, you can bet I wouldn’t still be in school.” He replied just as sarcastically, seating himself down into the armchair next to the coffee table, making himself at home.

I nodded, folding my arms, my stance still rigid as I stood leaning against the desk.

“Oh, so playing around with my daughter is just a hobby then, I presume?” I said in a clipped tone, the anger bubbling up to the surface. The teenager seemed to sense this and a scowl set on his face.

He eyed me with fiery blue eyes.

“Can I ‘presume’ that if I wore glasses, a sweater vest and got all A’s, you’d welcome me with open arms, without the whole interrogation then?” He said, equally as cold and I almost flinched at the cruel but true words.

His eyes watched me in a cool manner as I cleared my throat.

“Don’t blame me; blame society. Let’s be honest here, shall we? When you took a ‘liking’ to my daughter, did you see it a long-term thing or was it just a spur of the moment?” I asked, calmer now, his defensive tone had calmed me slightly. But, I was on edge still, something about the look in his eyes made me feel at unease.

“If we are being honest, then I’m not going to fall into the ‘I’m going to take care of her’ bullshit that you- most likely- want me to say. She’s as much a willing participant in this relationship as I am. I’m not holding her to me against her will.” He explained and his answer made more questions rise to my head than were there before. It was though he answered the question without even really answering it and the sense that he was hiding something rang prominently in my head.

I looked him over again before turning my gaze towards the door.

“And you- what do you feel for her then?” I asked quietly to which he raised an eyebrow again. The scowl was long gone and the ghost of a smile was back on his face.

“Be careful. Do you really want to hear the next words?” He joked and I glared at him hard, making him let out a laugh. He put his hands up as though to surrender.

“You’re really riled up, Mr. Dawson, you know that? Maybe you should take a day off.” He suggested and I glared at him again to which he conceded, leaning forward in the armchair.

“I think she’s great, if that’s what you’re asking. I’m happy; she’s happy… Well, most of the time.” He said hesitantly, his hand went up to the back of his neck and I listened intently as he spoke.

“I hurt her a couple times, I know that and I didn’t care much for it. But...today, it was different. I hurt her, I could tell, but it hurt me more, I know that. Seeing her face like… I would have done anything in that moment to turn back time to stop it from happening.” He said and I felt like I was intruding on a personal conversation. He wasn’t talking to me anymore, he was talking to himself.

I should have felt angry. He had hurt my daughter and I should have done what any other father would have done in that situation. But, instead, I stayed silent and listened on. His words now were the most sincere ones he had spoken since stepping into this room and I feared opening my mouth would make him stop talking.

His blue gaze fell onto the window and he ran a hand through his hair.

“She makes me so angry because I can’t control my words or my actions when she’s there. I had to stop it, it wasn’t right, but I don’t think I’d be strong enough to do it again.” He said roughly, a solemnness to his tone and my eyebrows furrowed at his words, confused.

“Stop what?” I let out, regretting it as soon as his eyes returned to me and he cleared his throat quickly before leaning back in the chair and propping his legs up on the table.

“Oh, wow, Mr. Dawson, if you want the juicy details, it’s fine by me, but wanting them about your daughter’s love life…” He let out a low-drawn whistle at the end of his sentence before smirking slightly and I tutted, steering the subject back to a more serious one.

“I just want to know she’ll be okay.” I said honestly before sighing deeply, feeling the urging anxiousness of letting Alexis potentially get hurt.

The male looked at me curiously, a frown on his face.

“Are you always this over-protective?” He asked casually, but to me it was anything but. I suddenly thought to the family’s secret that had been weighing heavily in my mind for the past few years: Alexis’ illness. When I had received the news of her illness, I was devastated, even more so when Alexis announced she’d be stopping the treatment. There was no reason given, no nothing, even when I had pressed on and on with my questioning.

In the end, I had to relent, although whenever I would visit, I’d try again. There was only so much I could do when Alexis was not wanting to put in the time or effort. Looking at the male in front of me, I wondered if he knew anything. His gaze was curious as he waited for my reply and all I could say was-

“What do you know?” I let out before I could even comprehend and I immediately regretted it when the curious look on his face notably deepened.

“About life? Physics? Lexi? I think you need to be more specific, Mr. Dawson.” He let out, in a tone that told me he found me strange and I didn’t blame him.

I cleared my throat to compose myself before shrugging casually.

“What do you know about Alexis? How much have you guys got in common?” I lied and the look on Aaron’s face vanished, replaced with a look of nonchalance.

“I know enough.” He let out non-committedly, looking down at his shoes.

My eyes narrowed at his words.

“I think it’s your turn to be more specific.” I let out, seating myself opposite to him. I watched intently as he shifted uncomfortably under my gaze, but only subtly. The cool look was still on his face and he shrugged heavily.

“I guess we have more in common than I expected. I didn’t think she’d be funny.” He said, his voice full of earnest and I let out a small laugh, slapping my knee at his words.

“Well, I’m glad someone thinks so.” I joked, recalling certain memories where Alexis would say such corny jokes that put even my dad jokes to shame. My mind reeled back to the question that was resting at the back of my head and I turned my gaze back up to the male.

“Why do you call her Lexi?” I asked, thinking back to the name that would leave his mouth whenever he mentioned my daughter; the name that she would so happily respond to. It seemed an unconscious process to call her the nickname.

Aaron smiled at the question before shrugging his shoulders again.

“Why not? It suits her.” He responded casually and I nodded slowly.

“She lights up when you call her that, I’ve seen.” I commented passingly yet Aaron’s face lit up at my words.

“Really?” He asked, his eyes intrusive, but his face impassive. I nodded and he out a small breathless laugh.

“Well, I’ll definitely make sure to focus on that for next time.” He muttered, again more so to himself than me. I coughed to clear my throat and he looked up at me with a small smile. I responded with a small smile of my own before shaking my head.

“I find you quite annoying but there's something about you I like. How is that possible?” I asked with a laugh, watching as he let out a small laugh also.

“You’d have to ask Lexi. I’m pretty sure she feels the same way about me.” He joked and, this time, I didn’t glare; nor did my anger heighten. I felt calm and at peace to know that there was someone there for Alexis. Yes, her mother and I would always be there, but she needed someone her age; to relate to and be there to support her through the numerous experiences she was bound to face.

You say numerous experiences as though she’d live that long

I cursed internally at my thoughts, feeling the ball of tears form in my throat at the prospect of losing my little girl, but I didn’t let it show. I wanted her to experience so many things like her mother and I had done through our young adult years, but I feared she wouldn’t be able to. So, I had promised myself that- regardless of her decision- I would try to make everything memorable and give her a reason to want to live. So, maybe that’s why the next words slipped out of my mouth.

“Would you like to stay over? It is quite late.” I commented, eyeing the clock on the wall before turning to the male before me. He looked shocked, but didn’t say anything for a good two minutes. His eyes maneuvered between me and the time before he shook his head.

“Come again?” He said, looking at me incredulously and I tutted, not being one to repeat myself. I unbuttoned the cuffs of my sleeves before rolling them up and walking to the door.

“I only say it once, son, and it’s your choice. If the answer is yes, I want no funny business, understood?” I let out before opening the door and ushering him out. He looked at me curiously for two minutes before he recomposed himself and walked to the door.

I watched with an amused smile on his face as he passed me, the look of confusion and shock still apparent on his face.

“Oh and, Aaron?” I called just as he passed and he turned slightly to look over his shoulder, urging me to continue. I gave him a small smile.

“Don’t hurt her.” I said, almost pleadingly. Aaron smiled in return.

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He said simply before turning around and walking off.

“My opinion still stands on the girl thing!” I shouted out at his retreating figure, smiling when I heard his laugh.

Following out slowly behind him, I felt the small stir of excitement. Maybe, he could help Alexis see what she would be leaving behind. He would show her the truth. He would open her eyes.

And, maybe with her eyes open for once, she’d finally see what I meant about his jeans

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“I know you’re telling the truth, Aaron. You were all along. It was him. He was was the dirty liar.” I said, my voice laced with disgust. I didn’t have to clarify who ‘he’ was. We both knew who I was talking about and, as that sentence left my mouth, Aaron stood up abruptly.

“How? Did he come talk to you? He didn’t touch you, did he?” Aaron questioned, pulling me close to him.

I shook my head vigourously.

“Yes, he did come and no. He didn’t touch me.” I said.

Upon hearing my answer, Aaron pulled my face up.

“He did come? What did he say? Tell me.” He said, his voice loud and urgent, but I wasn’t going to tell him. He was angry and it wasn’t right to tell him all this now when he was in this state. I’d probably have to wait when he was in a calmer state to talk.

I looked into his dark eyes, frowning before I spoke.

“I don’t want to talk about it now. Please, I’ll tell you later. Let’s talk about something else.” I pleaded