Some Thorns, Some Roses

XXXIV | To Lose You As A Friend

Successfully I have avoided Perris's presence for a couple of days, giving me enough time to dissect my thoughts and feelings in a pleasant way. The presence of my brothers and cousins meant that I didn't have to constantly be shadowed by him. I was more than protected with my army of family members. 

My parents presence was surprising because I did not expect them to be around. Most years they work around the holidays. I think me getting shot and having to marry someone has really put work into a different perspective, which I know my brothers appreciate. 

The rest of my cousins came into town, which means that I was really surrounded by my favorite people. 

Lilah has been hanging out sometimes too in the presence of my cousins and it has been truly nice. I didn't realize how much I needed a female presence. Especially since Angel and I haven't been communicating as much recently. 

Thanksgiving break was more refreshing than I assumed it would be. School was taking a toll on me. School and everything else. 

Everything was going swell until that Thursday. That Thanksgiving day. 

My mom went all out with the different meals and dishes. It was genuinely a feast and everyone at the house was waiting to dig in and stuff themselves for the holiday. 

Like always, I stayed glued to her side in the kitchen, learning new recipes and tricks. One day I wanted to pass them down to my kids and have it become a tradition in a way. 

Auggie came in for a little while and tried to see what he could steal from the kitchen. He was cocking and tilting his head to see what looked good and what he was going to try to eat first. He mainly just kept us amused by joking around and making funny jokes. 

He warned us that his girlfriend, Connie, was coming for dinner and he asked for us to behave. 

Mom asked him, "When have I not behaved in her presence?" 

Auggie rolled his eyes and answered, "When you stared her down for like 15 minutes straight." 

"That was your fault because you gave her a hickey the same day that you introduced her to me. Not my fault. That doesn't count." Charlotte defended herself, shrugging her shoulders in a casual way. 

I silently agreed with her, but chose to not enter the conversation. 

"That was definitely your fault." Auggie argued with her, nodding his head at his mom. Before he left, he also mentioned that PJ was bringing someone over as his guest. 

I first grimaced at the thought of him bringing some whore to dinner and I would have to fake smile at her. But when Auggie said, "I'm excited to see Phee, it has been a minute," I was glad that my best friend would be joining us for dinner. 

Most of my siblings would be bringing someone to dinner and I found solace in the thought that I wouldn't have to do deal with Beau for the evening. I smiled and sniffed in as I took the pecan pie out of the oven with the thought that I didn't have to deal with boys. 

But when Beau messaged me, telling me that he wanted to drop by for the holidays, the smile instantly dropped and I wanted cry a bit. But I thought that maybe I could invite him before the dinner and he would leave out before it started. However, my mom just so happened to see the message and suggested that I invited him over for dinner. 

At that point, I actually almost started crying. I smiled to her face and did as she asked me too because I knew it would come up later if I lied about it. 

You do know he's going to be your husband in less than two months, right? 

He politely accepted and sent: