Always

44| Return

"There she is," I smile when I finally spot Mya and her parents in the bustling airport.

"You did not have to get me a sign," she laughs as I squeeze the life out of her.

I look down and my 'welcome home' sign in my hands with a pout. I took my time making and decorating it and spilt an ungodly amount of glitter all over my fluffy carpet. Luckily for me Greyson worked some magic and got every trace out. I guess being in the kitchen all the time teaches you a lot about messes.

"But it is pretty and I love it. Thank you."

"You're welcome. Hello Mr. and Mrs. Smith."

"Allison," her mother acknowledges while her father just gives a stiff nod.

Her parents have always been closed off even though Mya and I've been friends most of our lives. The two basically look like something's crawled up their asses all day everyday. They aren't the best parents either, that's why Mya's at my place so often.

"Anyway, how was your week long trip to Arizona?" I turn back to Mya as we continue walking to the exit, her parents in tow.

"Ughh awful. I'd much rather hear about your week. I know your aunt saliva came over with her sorry excuse for daughters but you spared me no details."

"I'm sorry, something came up."

"I'd hoped that you got better at lying over the years but it just keeps getting worse," she shakes her head in amusement.

"What? Something did."

"Something good by the looks of it. You're absolutely glowing right now."

"Really?"

"Yeah. It's radiating off of you. I think I might need to wear sunglasses now. What happened?"

"Well"—

"Young lady, you are to be home by five sharp no later," her father calls out just before we get into our separate cars. "There is something your mother and I need to discuss with you."

She nods with a forced tight lipped smile and sits in the passenger seat of my car. "Don't worry sir, I'll have her home by then," I shout.

He rolls his eyes and gets into the taxi. I hop in my car fasten my seatbelt and turn to Mya.

"Starbucks?"

"Yesssss. I've been dying for a cake pop and you owe me a story."

"Alright."

* * *

"That bitch said what? You're joking. You better be joking."

Mya and I were sitting in a booth of a local Starbucks filling each other in on the details of what happened in the past seven days. Of course I was sure to leave out the parts where Greyson was involved. I knew I couldn't keep this a secret from her forever, but what's a few more days?

He and I agreed to tell our friends together this weekend about us, not that there's a label on anything yet. We're moving at our own pace and both decided that this was one of the first steps in the right direction.

"I wish I were. But mom lost it completely and you know how that goes," I murmur.

"That's my girl. Did she black anyone's eye this time?"

"Well I don't know. We sent Lils up to her room and I had an attack and passed out. The rest was history I guess."

"Oh Als, why didn't you tell me sooner. I'm so sorry you had to go through that all alone."

"It's fine. I'm good I promise."

"I'm only taking your word for it this time because you really look it. Why do you? I mean, nothing you've told me so far seems like something that'll make you so happy,"

Shit. What can I possibly tell her? She can see straight through me not that I lie very well anyway. I can't just up and say that I've spent the last few days binge watching my little pony with Greyson. Or the fact that he's been coming over and cooking for me because his food's the only thing my tastebuds agree with.

"Well"— Just then I get a notification from my phone and I glance down at it with a smile.

Daily Affirmation from 'Greyson :)'
Perfectly imperfect. Permanently and inevitably flawed you are, but beautiful nonetheless.

Greyson implemented a shortcut on his phone that sends me a quote at his command daily. They've been getting me through my days more than he can ever know and although I know it takes time to love yourself - flaws and all- it helps to know that someone's there every step of the way cheering you on.

"Omg. You're in love. That's why you've been skipping around here like a glow stick at midnight."

I shut my phone off and look up at Mya, my cheeks flushed, "What? No. In love? Mya, come on there's no way."

"Says the girl whose eyes and smile just lit up like a fourth of July spectacle. It's okay to admit it Als, I promise," she quotes mocking me with my own words.

"Ha ha. It's true I've been a bit giddier than usual I guess but it doesn't mean I'm in love or anything," I shrug.

"I know denial when I see it girl, but alright. I'll let you tell me whenever you're ready."

"Speaking of denial, how're things with you and Jacob?"

"Things are great, I just miss him so much. We FaceTimed every night while I was in Arizona but I didn't expect to feel like this," she sighed.

It was the first time I've ever seen my best friend so...emotional. She's never been the type to squeal when she was excited or sighed when she was depressed. It was mostly always neutral with her, got that from her parents.

"Well we still have more time before five, wanna stop by his house for a while? I don't mind waiting in the car," I shrug.

A/N:
Can't wait to see what this weekend's gonna look like. Or will it happen sooner than expected?

The first chapter of The Guy That Stole My Coffee (TGTSMC) is out now!!! You can check it out if you like.

Don't forget to vote and comment. :)