Right Where You Left Me | G. Abrams

3.09

TVFN meets DBATC meets TMIK meets YLM meets IKIWW meets MIT meets Babe for a hell of a lot of hurt.

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Keeping the secret became easier.

But Gracie supposed most things got easier before they inevitably got harder. Conversing with Hayes came to a minimum as she stopped needing reassurance.

Gracie's heart raced with a mix of anticipation and trepidation as she approached the bustling café where she was meeting her closest friends, Conan and Austin. It had been a while since they had all gathered together, and Gracie cherished their bond. But tonight, as she walked through the door, she carried a heavy secret within her-a secret that threatened to unravel the very fabric of their friendship.

Conan and Austin spotted Gracie, their faces lighting up with excitement. They rushed to embrace her, their warm hugs momentarily soothing the turmoil that churned within her. Gracie wore a carefully constructed mask, concealing the guilt that consumed her. She couldn't let her friends see the shattered fragments of her conscience.

As they settled into their usual corner booth, laughter and animated conversation filled the air. Gracie marveled at how effortlessly she slipped back into their dynamic, the ease of their camaraderie momentarily distracting her from the guilt that lingered beneath the surface.

Conan, with his infectious humor, and Austin, with his gentle soul, were pillars of support for Gracie. They had stood by her side through thick and thin, celebrating her victories and lending a listening ear during her darkest moments. Gracie cherished their unwavering friendship, the unspoken bond that connected them.

Yet, with each passing moment, Gracie's secret weighed on her conscience. As she observed her friends' unwavering loyalty, she couldn't help but feel a pang of hypocrisy. How could she keep this secret from August, the person she loved most, while sharing laughter and stories with those who had no idea about her betrayal?

But as the evening wore on, Gracie found solace in the familiarity of their friendship. The laughter, the shared memories, and the genuine affection they expressed towards her enveloped her like a comforting embrace. It became easier to temporarily set aside her guilt, to bury it beneath the facade she wore for the sake of preserving the bonds she held so dear.

Conan and Austin recounted tales of their own relationships, sharing snippets of joy, heartache, and growth. Gracie listened intently, offering her support and advice, all the while aware of the irony that her own relationship hung by a thread, held together by a secret she dared not unveil.

"Woah, woah, woah," Gracie cut off their story, pointing between the two of them with an infectious smile, "Relationship? As in dating? As in the two of you?"

Conan blushed as Austin nodded proudly, wrapping his arm around Conan's shoulder, "Yep. This is my man."

"When did this happen?"

"Like two months ago. But you've been in your own world," Conan said, "Speaking of, who's this best friend that's got you glued to your phone? They must be extremely funny if you didn't realise your girlfriend was missing for a week."

"August told you?" Gracie grimaced, a nasty feeling bubbling in her stomach.

Conan hummed, sipping his coffee.

"It's no one important, just some guy. Met him at a bar, he likes SpongeBob," Gracie answered stiffly. "Does... Does August know about you two?" She changed the subject.

"Yep," Austin said before thinking deeply, "I mean, we texted her. I think she's doing a social media, phone cleanse thing. She hasn't been online in a month."

Gracie just nodded in understanding.

As the night drew to a close, Gracie hugged Conan and Austin tightly, gratitude and guilt mingling in her heart. They bid each other farewell, promising to meet again soon. Gracie watched them walk away, their silhouettes fading into the distance, and couldn't shake the haunting question that echoed in her mind-how long could she keep this secret before it unraveled everything she held dear?

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, as Gracie's secret remained locked away, her guilt a constant companion. The weight of her betrayal grew heavier with each passing day, a burden she alone carried. And yet, the comfort of her friends' unwavering support acted as a temporary salve, dulling the ache within her.

But secrets have a way of seeping through the cracks, of unraveling the fabric of trust. Gracie knew that eventually, she would have to confront her actions, face the consequences, and reveal her transgression to August and her friends. Until then, she would continue to navigate the delicate balance between her guilt and the bonds she cherished, hoping that one day, she would find the courage to set things right and rebuild what had been broken.

Lilac 💜🛐

I'm going to stay with my parents
for a little while, don't bother
coming to see me.

I'll give Lilo to Conan and Austin to
look after until you get back idk when
that'll be
(DELIVERED 12 HOURS AGO)

August is probably fading, thinking: "Do something, babe, say something"
"Lose something, babe, risk something"
"Choose something, babe, I got nothing to believe unless you're choosing' me"

See what I did there? 🫣

I'll be cry-dancing to You're Losing Me then remember that Taylor announced it the week after Joe said he was hurt about her hanging out with ratty yk who. Ik they probably don't have anything to do with each other but it still makes me giggle

Guys I have so many chapters lined up I can't even

Also like imagine having a father like Gregory Williams and then dating two people like Sawyer and Bran? Idk how August is still standing because me personally I couldn't take all of that 😬