The awesome banner on the side was made by an amazing friend of mine, ninetailedsilverfox. And although that's not how I imagine Iris, I'm really happy she made me this. So thanks a lot! And I also feel that it fits this chapter. You know why? Read on to find out!

Also, make sure to check out her book 'Goddess Crescent' as it is simply one of the best books I've ever read. It has an amazing plotline. And I love how the story is unique and different from other stories with a Supernatural theme.

P.s. I've written this chapter somewhat in rush and did not cross read it either, so it might not be very smooth. But I hope you enjoy reading it anyway!

Emptiness; a dreadful feeling of nothingness and void within oneself. It's like you feel absolutely and completely nothing, but in actuality know that there are so many emotions bottled up inside you. And they are just too much to handle, that you just stop feeling. Anything at all.

That's how I feel as I pull straight into the driveway of my house. I didn't have it in me to attend the rest of the high school. Not after...

A sigh escapes my lips, and soon a bitter laugh follows as I think about everything that has happened today. Things were not supposed to turn out like this. They never were. I should've just gone with my gut feeling and stayed at home.

Pausing for a moment, I sigh and lean a bit forward, turning the ignition off. As I fall back on my driver's seat exasperated, I turn my head and look out the window at my house.

The dark grey walls of the house give of a vibrant and homey feel. It is made in the form of Craftsman style house, with a Greek revival architecture.

As I stare at my house, I think about what happened in the morning and sigh.

I never should've brought Katherine up in front of Caleb. I mean, how stupid can I get! I knew it was a sensetive topic. He will never forgive me for my slip up.

I lean forward and bang my head on the steering wheel.

He's not even replying back to my texts and has switched off his phone. Will he ever talk to me again?

I lean back in my seat and tilt my head slightly to my left, staring at my house.

'You act so childishly and are so immature.'

'You know how irritating it is for other people? To put up with that behaviour of yours?'

'You can get so annoying at times.'

'Do you think your childish behaviour will make you look somewhat cute and innocent?'

I think back to Ryan's words while looking at my house. As I continue to do so, a sense of deja vu fills me and a faded memory trickles it's way to the surface of my mind.

'Yay! School got over early today! And papa doesn't know....'

Giggling, I get out of Aunt Sandra's car and wave goodbye at her and her son-slash-my best friend Caleb. I slowly enter my house and softly close the door behind me. Tippy-toeing to the living room hall from where I could hear voices, I peek from behind a wall to look at papa and Uncle John, Caleb's daddy, who had put his hand on papa's shoulder and was squeezing it. I pout.

Papa looks so sad. Why?

"...I just... I don't know. You know, sometimes, sometimes I just wish that Iris never grows up, for her to remain her childish self, my little princess....."

Oooooo..... They are talking about Iris? But Iris is my name..... I think in confusion, then bite my tongue at my stupidity. Of course, they are talking about me..... But why? Leaning a bit closer, I widen my eyes to get a better view of them and try to hear them more clearly.

"... Chris, you know that's not possible. You cannot avoid the inevitable. She has to grow up,l. Her surroundings, her friends, peer pressure, all these things will change her. And you can't do anything about it."

"But.... but what if, she leaves me, just like her?" He whispers the last part.

"It will break me, you know? When she had left, I was broken. Sad. Vulnerable. I loved her so much. I still do. But it hurt so bad. And, not just that, she would've taken Iris away from me too if it wasn't for...." His voice cracks, and I see him gulp.

"I'm so scared Jonathan. I never want her to grow, and change. Why can't she just be like the little angel she is now, why?" His voice cracks in the end, and finally I hear his sobs. Uncle John just pulls him into a hug, tightly embracing him and rubbing his back.

Plucking my lower lip out, I slowly pick up my school bag and the roll of paper I had somehow dropped on the floor and make my way upstairs in silence.

Entering my room, I close the door behind me and drop my bag on the floor. Making my way deeper inside the room, I plop down in a dark corner of my room. I open the roll of paper in my hand and look at the painting I drew in school, for which Ms. Agatha gave me five stars. It had papa and me, in a park holding hands. I had also written a message for my papa.

"Dear Papa, Your the bestest papa in the world. You always take care of me. You make me laugh and smile. You comb my hair and make me the awesomest hot chocolate in the whole galaxy! You tell me bed time stories and sing to me at night before bed time. Your great, papa! I love you!"

Why is papa sad? Is he sad because of me? I'm a really bad princess. I made papa cry.

As I currently sit in the exact same corner of my room staring blankly at the dark blue wall ahead of me, the first set of silent tears make their way down my cheeks. But I'm quick to wipe them off.

That night 11 years ago I had cried myself to sleep, and that was the day I vowed to never make Papa upset. I promised to never leave him, ever. To always be by his side no matter what. To be his little princess, the one who always keeps smiling, keeps playing pranks, and is his mischievous little devil.

Wiping my eyes with the long sleeve of my shirt, I slowly crawl towards my bed. With trembling hands I reach for the mattress and slowly lift it. Sliding my hand underneath it, I try to search for a certain thing. When my fingertips brush against the familiar rough texture, my fingers clutch it and slide out the familiar folded piece of the once crumpled paper.

With trembling hands, I unfold the off-whitish paper. My eyes are immediately met with the familiar cursive handwriting. But it will be clear as a daylight to anyone who's reading it that the words were written with trembling hands, as if it pained the writer to pen down his thoughts, but he did it anyway.

With quivering lips, I silently begin to read Papa's words and emotions that he poured in this heart-wrenching letter.

I read through the rest of the letter. By the time I reach the end, fresh tears have escaped my eyes which freely flow down my cheeks. This time I don't bother wiping them, as I finally feel something break inside me. I put the letter away, and curl into a ball as sobs continue to rack my entire body.

A long time must have passed, seeing as I lift my head only on hearing light footsteps outside my room. The room is washed into darkness, indicating that it is night time.

My head snaps in the direction of my door on hearing it creak open. Light from outside filters into the room through the small opening, as I see a head pop from between the gap.

"Princess?"

A sob escapes my lips on hearing Papa's soft and affectionate voice. I thought he wouldn't be back till the day after tomorrow. But I'm thankful that he is back early, I need someone to comfort me so bad.

I think Papa heard my sob, seeing as he rushes to my curled form next to the bed and crouches down.

"Princess? What happened?" I don't respond and let him pull me into his embrace. He continues to ask me questions, but when I keep mum he let's it go. He rocks us back and forth, whispering sweet nothings to me about how eveything will be fine and the dark days will come to an end. But I don't pay any heed to whatever he saying. Hugging him tightly, I continue crying. And sometime in the middle of the night, I fall asleep in his arms.

• •• • •• •

My eyes flutter open the next morning. I look around and realise I'm in my room. Light floods through the gaps in between the curtain, washing the room with warmth.

Rubbing the sleep off my eyes, I slowly make my way to the bathroom. I get the shock of my life on seeing my appearance in the mirror. My hair's a complete mess, and so is my face. My once bright violet eyes are staring right back at me, now all puffy and blood-shot, reflecting all the sad and hurt feelings.

Everything from yesterday comes back to mind full force. I squeeze my eyes shut, wanting for the harsh memories to go away. I lean forward on the wash basin and open the tap. Cupping my hands under the running tap, I let it fill and splash it on my face.

After two-three more splashes, I close the tap and reach out for a towel. Wiping my face with it, I exit the bathroom and make my way downstairs.

While going down the stairs, a thought occurs to me. Without ad much of another thought, I strengthen my resolve and make my way to the kitchen to see Papa cooking breakfast. I lean against the entryway and silently look at him. It's been a long time since he's cooked, and I didn't want to disturb him.

He turns to look at me afyer a while, startled may I add. Clutching his chest, he looks at me with shock evident on his face.

"Gosh! You scared me, princess." A soft chuckle leaves my lips, and he chuckled alongside me. Shaking his head, he turns his back to me and continues cooking.

"So, I'm making Mac and Cheese." He continues after a while, as I make my way inside the kitchen. I'm thankful Papa is not bringing up yesterday, but even I know he's really curious to find out and kill the person who made me bawl my eyes out yesterday.

While having breakfast, I think about what I thought a while back and look up at Papa.

I have to do this.

Papa looks at me on feeling my eyes on him and raises his eyebrows in silent question.

I have to. It is for my own good.

"Papa, I want to leave."