Regrets and Reconciliations

"Today is your graduation day, you've been looking forward to it for years, you're free of highschool, free to celebrate. That is until you get home, your parents are sitting there, glaring at you, with your childhood best friend Alana crying next to them, as you ask what's going on, your sister Steph looks at you in disgust before running to her room, before you can ask what's going on your father stands up and gets in your face" Eric "ashton you're lucky Alana isn't going to the police after what you did, but you have five minutes, pack your shit and get out of my house" "Your mother sobs as your father yells at you. you can hear her whisper under her breathe" Maria "I thought I raised him better... How could I have failed so badly" "Unsure what's going on, you look at Alana who through her wounded facade has a sickening look of obsession in her eyes pointed directly at you, can you uncover the truth and get your family back"

*"You can try to act innocent all you want, Ervyn." "I sob louder, wiping a tear off my cheek" "But we both know what happened. You hurt me" "My eyes lock with yours, a mixture of pain and desperation in them."

"Your father steps forward, his voice booming with anger." "We have a sworn statement from Alana that you sexually assaulted her. We don't want someone like you in our house." "He points to the front door." "Now get out before I call the police."

"Your mother sobs uncontrollably as your sister Steph looks at you with disgust." "I can't believe you would do something like this," she spits out.

"Alana continues to cry, looking at you with pleading eyes." "Please, just go. You've caused enough damage already."

"Alana looks at you with a mixture of sadness and anger." "It happened a few weeks ago, at the park near our old school. You know exactly what you did." "She shakes her head, wiping away tears." "I can't believe you're denying it."

"Your father steps closer to you, his fists clenched." "We have no reason not to believe Alana. You have five minutes to get out of this house before we call the police."

"Your mother continues to cry as Steph just watches with a look of disgust on her face." "Just go, Ervyn. We don't want you here anymore."

"Alana hesitates for a moment before answering." "It was on May 15th, around 4 pm. You know what you did, Ervyn." "She looks at you with a mixture of sadness and anger." "I trusted you and you violated that trust."

"Your father steps forward again, his voice booming with anger." "We don't have time for this. You need to leave now or we will call the police."

"Your mother continues to cry as Steph just watches with a look of disgust on her face." "Just go, Ervyn. We don't want you here anymore."

"Alana looks at you with surprise and confusion." "Yes, I'm sure. Why do you think I would lie about something like this?"

"Your father steps forward again, his voice even angrier than before." "That's enough, Ervyn! Leave now or we will make you leave!"

"Your mother continues to cry as Steph just watches with a look of disgust on her face." "Just go, Ervyn. We don't want you here anymore."

"Alana looks at the photos with disbelief, her face turning red with anger and embarrassment." "That doesn't prove anything! You could have still done it before or after this picture was taken!"

"Your father looks at the pictures, but his expression remains stern." "That's not enough proof. We want you out of our sight."

"Your mother continues to cry as Steph just watches with a look of disgust on her face." "I can't believe you would do something like this, Ervyn."

"Alana's face falls as she realizes that her plan may be unraveling." "I... I didn't know you had evidence like this. But why would I lie about something like this?"

Your father looks at the pictures again, then hesitates for a moment before speaking. "We'll have to verify this with the resort and your friends. If it turns out that you're telling the truth, then we'll apologize. But until then, you're not welcome in this house."

Your mother continues to cry, but Steph finally speaks up. "You should leave now. We'll figure out what really happened once we have all the facts."

"As you walk out the front door, you see Alana following close behind you, tears streaming down her face." "Ervyn, please! I didn't mean for it to go this far!"

You stop in your tracks and turn around to face her. Your expression is cold and distant as you look at her with a mixture of disgust and pity. "How could you do something like that to me, Alana? I trusted you."

Alana falls to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably. "I just... I didn't want you to leave me behind. I love you, Ervyn."

"As you walk away, Alana's sobs turn into desperate wails. You can hear her calling out your name, but you keep moving forward, determined to put as much distance between yourself and her as possible."

As you walk down the street, lost in thought, you feel a pang of regret for what has happened between you and Alana. The two of you had been best friends since childhood, and despite everything that had happened, you couldn't help but feel like a part of you was missing now that she was no longer in your life.

But at the same time, you knew that what she did was wrong, and that there was no going back from it. All you could do now was try to move on and rebuild your life without her.

"I invited her," your mother says softly, looking at you with a pained expression. "I know what she did was wrong, but she's still family."

You scoff in response, turning away from your mother. "Family? She accused me of something I didn't do! How can you even begin to call her family?"

"I'm sorry, Ervyn," your father says, his voice cold and stern. "But we have to try and move past this. We can't keep holding onto grudges forever."

"And what about Alana?" you ask, crossing your arms over your chest. "What has she done to make things right?"

Alana shifts uncomfortably in her seat, tears welling up in her eyes. "I... I don't know how to make it right, Ervyn. All I can do is say that I'm sorry and hope that you can forgive me someday."

You let out a bitter laugh. "Forgive you? You ruined my life, Alana. How can I ever forgive that?"

The tension in the room is thick as everyone falls silent, unsure of what to say. The rain outside continues to pour down, adding to the already somber atmosphere.

Finally, your mother speaks up. "I know that it won't be easy, Ervyn. But we're your family, and we love you. And we want to make things right."

Alana trembles as she looks at you, fear and guilt etched on her face. "I... I was scared, Ervyn," she admits, her voice shaking. "Scared that you would leave me behind and forget about me when you went off to explore the other worlds."

"So you accused me of a crime?!" you yell, your anger escalating.

"I didn't mean for it to get this out of hand!" Alana protests, tears streaming down her face. "I just wanted to... to make you stay. To make you see that you needed me in your life."

"That's not love, Alana," you say, your voice softer now. "That's obsession. And it's not healthy for either of us."

Alana nods, her sobs becoming quieter as she listens to you. "I know, Ervyn. I know that what I did was wrong. And I'm so sorry." She looks up at you, desperation in her eyes. "Please... can't we just start over? Put this all behind us and move forward as a family again?"

You take a deep breath, considering her words. The anger and resentment still linger within you, but there's also a part of you that wants to let go of the past and move on.

"I'll try," you say finally, your voice heavy with emotion. "But you have to understand, Alana... it's not going to be easy. We have a long way to go before things can ever be the same again."

Alana nods, tears still falling down her face. "I know, Ervyn. And I'll do whatever it takes to make things right. I promise."

Alana nods, understanding and regret in her eyes. "I know, Ervyn," she says softly. "And I should have told you the truth from the beginning. I was just... scared. Scared of losing you."

She takes a deep breath before continuing. "But I also understand that what I did was wrong. And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make things right between us again."

You nod slowly, feeling some of the anger and bitterness dissipating as you listen to Alana's words. Maybe, just maybe, there's a chance for reconciliation after all.

"I appreciate that, Alana," you say finally, your voice softer now. "But things are going to be different from now on. We'll have to work hard to regain each other's trust."

"I know," Alana says, nodding in agreement. "And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make things right again."

There's a moment of silence as you both process what's been said. Finally, you speak up.

"I think we should take some time apart for now," you say, your voice firm. "I need some space to process everything that's happened and figure out where we go from here."

Alana nods, understanding in her eyes. "I understand, Ervyn," she says quietly. "Take all the time you need. And know that I'll always be here when you're ready to talk."

You nod in response, feeling a weight lifted off your shoulders as you come to a decision. It's not going to be easy, but you're willing to work through it. For both of your sakes.