Right Where You Left Me | G. Abrams

4.02

Real life

Gracie tightened the leash around Weenie's collar as they stepped onto the bustling streets of Los Angeles. The city's energy pulsed through her veins, and the warm California sun cast a golden glow over the palm-lined sidewalks. She had been taking Weenie on their usual evening walk.

As they strolled along the familiar streets, Gracie's mind wandered, lost in a whirlwind of thoughts and memories. She mulled over her recent breakup with Hayes and the rekindled feelings she had for August. The desire to see August, to talk to her, grew stronger with each passing step.

Unbeknownst to Gracie, her subconscious mind had taken control of her feet, leading her down a path she had walked countless times before. As she absentmindedly navigated through the labyrinth of streets, she suddenly found herself standing outside August's house.

Startled, Gracie blinked in disbelief. How had she ended up here, outside the very place that held memories of their love and the pain of their separation? Her heart raced, torn between the temptation to knock on the door and the fear of intruding on August's life.

Weenie began barking loudly when he recognised which house he was outside of, jumping up and down as he waited for August to come out of the door with her 'baby, I'm right here' smile and pet him.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Gracie quickly pulled Weenie away, with much difficulty, her mind racing with confusion and conflicting emotions. She needed guidance, someone to help her make sense of her inner turmoil. And at that moment, she remembered her friend Audrey, who lived just a few blocks away.

Gracie hastily made her way to Audrey's house, her steps fueled by urgency. As she approached the familiar porch, she felt a sense of relief, knowing that Audrey's presence would bring much-needed clarity to her muddled mind.

The door swung open, revealing Audrey's concerned face. "Gracie, what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Nothing. Let's go for a walk, yeah?"

Audrey squinted but nodded nevertheless, slipping on her shoes and a jacket.

Gracie walked briskly down the tree-lined path, her dog Weenie trotting happily beside her. It was a sunny afternoon, the perfect time for a stroll and a heart-to-heart conversation with her friend Audrey. Gracie had a lot on her mind, and she knew Audrey would be there to lend a sympathetic ear.

As they walked side by side, Gracie couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions welling up inside her. It had been a tumultuous few weeks for her, filled with confusion and self-discovery. She took a deep breath and finally found the courage to open up to Audrey about her recent breakup with her boyfriend, Hayes.

"Hey Audrey, there's something I need to talk to you about," Gracie began, her voice trembling slightly. "I ended things with Hayes."

Audrey glanced at Gracie, concern etching across her face. "Oh no, Gracie. What happened? You seemed so happy together."

Gracie sighed and absentmindedly rubbed Weenie's furry back. "I thought I was happy, Audrey. But the truth is, I've been wrestling with my feelings for a while now. I realized I still have strong feelings for my August."

Audrey's eyes widened in surprise. "August? The one you cheated on? Multiple times, might I add. The August that you skipped the birthday of to sleep with someone else? I thought you had moved on from her."

Gracie winced at the mention of her past mistakes. "Yeah, it's true. I made a really bad mistake back then, and August deserved better. But lately, I've been reflecting on our relationship and the love we shared. It's like something clicked inside me, and I realized that I never truly let go of her."

As they continued their walk, Gracie poured her heart out to Audrey. She talked about the memories she cherished with August, their deep connection, and the sense of completeness she felt when they were together. Gracie explained how her time with Hayes had been pleasant, but there was always a lingering feeling that something was missing.

Audrey listened attentively, offering words of understanding and encouragement. She knew Gracie's journey of self-discovery was a delicate one, and she wanted to be there for her friend every step of the way.

Gracie's decision to break up with Hayes hadn't been an easy one. She cared for him deeply, and she knew she was hurting him by ending their relationship. But she also knew that staying with him while her heart yearned for someone else would only lead to more pain in the long run.

"I have to be honest with myself and with Hayes," Gracie confessed, her voice filled with determination. "I can't pretend anymore. I need to follow my heart, even if it means facing the consequences."

Audrey nodded, her expression filled with empathy. "Well, it's about time. You were actually miserable with Hayes, I just didn't want to say anything because you get really defensive," She blew a raspberry. "But also you should prepare for the worst if you talk to August. She's really happy with her boyfriend and I mean, you really fucked up."

"I know. God, I know."

As the sun began to set, Gracie and Audrey continued their walk, engrossed in deep conversation. Gracie felt a mix of emotions- fear, excitement, and hope, though mostly fear- knowing that she had made a difficult choice but one that would lead her down the path of self-discovery and, hopefully, true happiness.

Bye it's Tuesday morning 😭