Diva Diaries of Haley Dunphy (Modern Family)

9. When You Love Someone

Grandpa and Gloria's house was only near ours, but the ride going there felt like forever. Because for the first time in weeks, I knew what to do about this Andy and Dylan issue. 

Dear journal, I must admit, I don't think I can stand breaking up with Dylan for the second time. But talking with Andy will give me the push to.

From what I know when my whole family met Andy on Christmas last year (it's a long story) everyone but Grandpa adored Andy. Not like their approval matters, but after the comments they've made of Dylan, it's good to know. 

(The only reason Grandpa doesn't like Andy is because he says he's a 'weird man' like my Dad.)Author's Disclaimer: The line above was canon. That being said, please proceed.

When we got in their house, Joe ran from the front door and bolted to our car. He's especially fond of my dad- even Lily is. Lily.

''UNCLE PHIL!'' Joe called his half-brother-in-law, jumping to my dad. Weird. Running behind him with a towel on his sweaty face, Andy caught him. ''Joe! What did your mother tell you about running to the street?''

''That you should never run in the same path more than once?''

Andy chuckled and tackled Joe in a bear hug. Joe burst out laughing and didn't stop. I turned to Mom instinctively, suddenly remembering our conversation earlier. I had said I couldn't imagine me and Andy having kids, but seeing him and Joe, I might be changing my mind.

''Phil, Alex, Luke, let's go in,''Mom whispered. ''Leave Andy and Haley alone for a bit.''

Wow. Thanks, Mom. (She must seriously not really like Dylan much, he never received this type of treatment from her.)

''Hi Haley,''Andy said, busying himself with wiping Joe with the towel. But I know he's looking at me and pretending not to.

''Hi.'' Thankfully, Joe broke our silence.

''Haley, look at my drawing! I have to show it to you, let's go in!'' Gloria greeted us inside, Grandpa gave Andy this 'watch out' stare. He sure doesn't like Dad or Andy.

''My drawing is in my bedroom!'' Joe yelled, as Andy and I passed by Manny. Manny was smart enough to not ask where Andy and I went after the writer's workshop earlier.

The drawing of Joe turned out to be this..house? It's a bunch of scribbles, but I think it was because he said,''One day Andy's going to make an open house for this house!''

''You know what open house means?'' Because I didn't until I was twelve. I thought it was just a thing realtors do because it's their job and somebody from nowhere pays them. Maybe Alex was right; I am a little dumb.

''I taught him stuff,''Andy said sheepishly.

Somebody that sounded like Grandpa called Joe, and he ran off, leaving Andy and I alone. That's when we had this enormously long conversation. As in, the longest ''small talk'' I've had with anyone, but also the most entertaining.

For the next forty minutes we talked about everything and anything. Mom was right; Andy was brainy. He talked sense, with humor, too. But in a way that made me understand and not feel hopelessly stupid like when I talk with Alex.

Suddenly, I felt a sensation different from before. All of a sudden, I wasn't afraid to be reckless and grow up a little, starting by being with Andy. It meant becoming more mature, but I liked the way he was talking about plans for his life.

Like he's got his life together, but at the same time it needs guidance. 

From somebody like me. We were talking about careers, what to study in college, and all these mature things that sounded intimidating, because they were so necessary in my life and I used to be nothing but this popular kid who went shopping on nights with big tests the following day. 

But talking about them with Andy, who's eyes fired with passion in helping me- just being with him brought the better version in myself, whether we lasted long or not.

Okay, I have to admit, I've always had this worry that Andy would realize one day that he's better off without me, that I'm extremely inexperienced and he could live well without my stupidity. I can't say the same for Dylan.

But Andy's words came floating back to me. I don't regret a single minute spent with you.

Even if a relationship with him meant facing challenges that are bigger than what lipgloss matches green pants and an orange top, time spent with Andy won't be a waste. Because that's what love is all about, and I'll learn many things from him. 

We can face 'new adulthood' like Mom calls it together. I know he likes me. I'm Haley Dunphy. So who cares about my fears that he's much too out of my comfort zone? It's a new stage of my life, and I know just who I want to spend it with.

So in the middle of him going on about how passionate he was with becoming a relator, I gave him a big hug. He hugged me back, slightly surprised. 

As if on cue, he leaned his face in. I could smell his lemon scented breath from two feet away, but I raised a hand to stop him. ''Andy, stop. I mean, I love that you want to kiss me twice on the same day, but there's something I need to do first.''

Before he or anyone else could stop me, I ran out of the door. The first time was an uncomfortable accident, but I don't want to hurt Dylan by repeating it. 

As I jogged over to his house (which was pretty near and the sun hadn't set yet) I knew the answer to why picking between Andy and Dylan was so hard. 

Because I was measuring whether I loved them or not, but the truth is, when you love someone, you never stop loving them. You get over them, like I did with Dylan a month ago, but if the chance comes back, even if it's the wrong type of chance, you feel the love again. 

I need to talk to Dylan. 

Author's Note:
Hope you enjoyed the second to the last chapter! Get ready for the story's finale and give this a vote if you enjoyed or leave a comment, as usual! Stay safe everyone!