I'm Gonna Miss You

Chapter 12: On Set

'Lilah,

I hope the past 2 letters made you smile, or at least a bit happy, because that's all this is about. If you somehow haven't smiled yet, then what's wrong with you?
Do you remember when we were little and all you wanted as a gift was to get your ear pierced? You wanted one of those chain earring things. I never understood why you wanted them, but I rooted for you whenever you asked mom and dad. They never allowed you to get one, but hey! You're 16 now, meaning you can get one on your own. The entire year you've been this age, you never got one and you always had a convenient excuse not to. I knew you were just scared to get it, but it's not that painful. (I think)
Well, now you have no choice. You're gonna get one and you're gonna be happy about it.

Love,
Nelson.'

As I set down the letter, I smiled to myself. Nelson really knew that I would have no choice but to follow him. I knew exactly where the piercing shop was, but I didn't want to go alone. Having someone beside me when they stick that needle in my ear would be really great. The moment this thought crossed my mind, I picked up my phone to call Kyan. A couple rings went by then she answered the phone.

"Hello?" Her voice was cheery and bright for so early in the morning.

"Hey!" I stood up from my bed walked towards the mirror. "What if I told you I wanted to get a piercing today?" I tucked a tuft of hair behind my ear and softly touched the area where a hole would soon be.

"I'd say I'm on the way to pick you up!" She sounded more ecstatic than I expected.

I smiled at my own reflection as the next few words left my mouth. "I wanna get a piercing."

"I'm on the way to pick you up." At this I hung up and shut the bathroom door.

After a quick shower, I put on a white sweater, with light wash jeans. I headed down the stairs, shoving my phone, wallet and keys into my shoulder bag. As usual, my parents were already at work, leaving Gran and Gramps to themselves in the kitchen. I walked in and gave them a great big smile.

"Morning." I chirped.

They glanced at each other then stared at me. "What's got you so energetic today?"

"I don't know." I shrugged as I grabbed an apple. "It's just a great day."

I hadn't noticed how happy I was until they mentioned it. "It's weird." Gramps mumbled.

"Don't you want your grandaughter to be happy?" I teased.

"Not really." Gran giggled as she gave me a kiss on the cheek.

I gave both of them a peck in return, then took a bite of my breakfast. "I'm going out with Kyan today."

"Are you sure you're not going out with some boy?" Gramps inquired, but before I could answer Gran spoke up.

"What about that new neighbour?" She pointed towards the direction of Dylan's house. "Have you met them yet?"

I shook my head, hiding the fact that I choked on my apple at the mention of Dylan. "Oh, I haven't met him— them yet."

"We should invite them to dinner." My eyes widened in disapproval.

"Uhm, I don't think that's such a good idea. We don't really know them and they might be very busy people." The excuses rolled off my tongue, none of which convinced my grandmother.

She waved me off with one hand. "Nonsense. I'll go over there and invite them myself."

"No!" I stood between her and the door. "I mean— I'm going out anyways, so I might as well be the one to ask them, right?" I looked at my grandfather for support but he hadn't been paying attention the whole time.